Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value of different roughage sources as an exclusive feed for goats and sheep from the determination of nutrient intake and digestibility. Five goats and five sheep were used and arranged in a double 5 x 5 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of cactus Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck cladodes (Nopalea) + urea + sugarcane bagasse (NUB), cactus Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw cladodes (Opuntia) + urea + sugarcane bagasse (OUB), Tifton hay (TH), maize silage (MS), and forage sorghum silage (SS). Dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) intakes of NUB were greater than SS (0.620 and 0.058 versus 0.416 and 0.040 kg/day). Metabolizable energy (ME) intake was higher for NUB (1.52 Mcal/day). The DM digestibility did not change between the roughages (59%). The NUB, OUB, and MS organic matter digestibility (OMD; 62.4%) were greater than that of SS (57.4%). The roughage consisting of cactus cladodes associated with urea and sugarcane bagasse presented a greater nutritional value, similar to MS and TH, and higher than SS. Cactus cladodes associated with urea and sugarcane bagasse are recommended as an alternative to conserved feed.

Keywords

Cactaceae; Non-protein nitrogen; Dry land; System production sustainability

Published in

Tropical Animal Health and Production
2019, Volume: 51, number: 7, pages: 1975-1980
Publisher: SPRINGER

SLU Authors

• Chagas, Juana

  • Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Federal Rural University of Pernambuco

Sustainable Development Goals

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture


UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-01895-1

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/101533