Substituição parcial do milho pela palma forrageira em dietas para cabras em lactação

Abstract

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of the partial replacement of corn by forage cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera- Salm Dyck) in diets of lactating goats on the nutrient intake, production and milk composition and ingestive behavior. Five crossbreed Saanen x Pardo Alpina, with body weight 47 ± 3.3 kg, in second lactation order and up to 60 days of lactation. The design was a 5x5 Latin square and treatments as following: 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40% replacement of corn by forage cactus associated with the gliricidia hay (Gliricídia sepium (Jacq) Walp). Treatments did not affect (P> 0,05) dry matter intake, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and total digestible nutrients by increasing the levels of forage cactus in the diet presenting means of 1,64; 0,26; 0,82; 0,54 e 1,17 kg/d, respectively. In the same way, there was no influence on the daily milk production and levels of fat, protein, lactose and total solids of milk and averaged 1,18 kg/d; 3,74; 3,34; 5,06 and 13,56%, respectively. The 3,5% fat corrected milk (LCG) presented a quadratic performance (P <0,05). There was not effect (P> 0.05) observed on the time spent in feeding, rumination, idle, total chewing time, feeding and rumination efficiency of dry matter. The treatment with 35% cactus showed lower impairment of income on food (31%). The partial replacement of corn by forage cactus in diets for dairy goats can be performed, because it does not affect the evaluated characteristics, thus the inclusion of 35% forage cactus is recommended because it has lower feed cost.