Abstract
The study was to conduct to evaluate the chemical composition and nutritive values of feedstuffs (forages and concentrate mixtures) used for dairy goats nutrition in Vojvodina. Samples were collected from six farms, including one organic farm. The results showed that the relative feed values of analyzed forages were in the range of good, medium to lower quality. Average protein content from lowest to highest for investigated forages was: corn silage (Zea Mays) (65.37-82.57g kg??DM), alfalfa haylage (Medicago sativa L.) (159.99-184.17g kg??DM), pasture (185.30g kg?? DM), and alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa L.) (167.48-203.60g kg??DM). The non-fibre carbohydrates and protein content most varied in organic hay samples (cv: 29.25% and 19.09%, respectively). Generally, feedstuffs used in organic nutrition, including organic concentrate, were of lower nutritional quality and moreover contained higher amounts of crude fibre and lignin. Especially, a high source of variation was observed in investigated concentrate mixtures for the crude protein content (p<0.0001), ranged from 135.32 to 209.87g kg??DM. Corn silages also varied substantially in their chemical composition and significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in regard to acid detergent fibre (ADF) and lignin content (ranged: ADF: 242.20-319.24g kg??DM; ADL: 27.98-52.54g kg??DM, respectively). Furthermore, pasture contained the most soluble materials during May and June and their content was related inversely to crude fibre amount. This survey highlights that investigated farms still pay insufficient attention to the quality of the feedstuff. For the development of intensive goat farming, greater emphasis should be placed on using higher quality feedstuffs, as well, standards for feed quality must be considered and established.
Highlights
Goats are often associated with vitality, inquisitiveness and high physical activity
Alfalfa hay contains DM in approximate 820-900g kg1 and our results were in this range (863.30 (FE) to 908.50g kg1DM (FC)
By looking at the protein content it can be observed that our samples varied from 167.48 (FD) to 203.60g kg1DM (FB), with the highest coefficient of variation for organic hay
Summary
Goats are often associated with vitality, inquisitiveness and high physical activity. To other domestic ruminants, goats are usually fed ad libitum, whether they are reared intensively or extensively but the nutrient quality of forages, herbage from pasture and foliage from bushes fluctuate depending on geographic and climatic conditions (Pulina et al, 2013). The nutritive value of the feedstuffs can be calculated from the chemical composition in accordance with the feed evaluation systems (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, INRA; Agricultural and Food Research Council, AFRC; National Research Council, NRC; etc.) (in MartinezMarin et al, 2010). The quality of forages is especially important in intensive systems and should be carefully evaluated (Rapetti and Bava, 2008). If forage quality is poor, a large amount of concentrate needs to be supplied in the diet which increases feeding costs and the risk of metabolic disorders (Rapetti and Bava, 2008). In order to fulfil the nutrient requirements of high yield and early lactation goats, it is required additional dietary protein sources because microbial protein can only fulfil the requirements in low production in late lactation stages (Lee et al, 2001)
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