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This study aimed to evaluate the nutrient intake, milk production, and production costs of dairy goats fed diets containing the rations with cactus cladodes (Opuntia stricta or Nopalea cochenillifera) associated with silage (Sorghum bicolor) or Tifton hay (Cynodon spp). Twelve pluriparous Saanen and Anglo Nubiana goats (42.25 ± 5.48 kg) at eight weeks of lactation were used. Treatments lasted 60 days, consisting of four periods of 15 days, distributed in three Latin square (4×4) with four diets. The treatments represented by diets with different associated feed: SSOP (Sorghum Silage + Opuntia); THOP (Tifton hay + Opuntia); SSNO (Sorghum Silage + Nopalea); and THNO (Tifton hay + Nopalea), in addition to concentrate in all diets. There were differences (p < 0.05) for the intakes of DM, OM, with higher values observed for goats fed the diets THNO, THOP, and SSNO, and for CP, NDF and ADF were higher for THNO and SSNO diets. Similar behavior occurred for voluntary and total water intake. The milk production and feed efficiency did not differ (p > 0.05). Costs with food, milk revenue, and gross revenue were not influenced by diets (p > 0.05). The Opuntia or Nopalea cactus cladodes genotypes associated with sorghum silage or tifton hay can be used to feed dairy goats in the semiarid region.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of lambs fed two roughage: concentrate (R:C) ratios, with or without the liquid residue of cassava (LRC) on carcass traits and meat quantity. Forty lambs (19.5 ± 1.45 kg body weight), non-castrated, crossbred Santa Inês were distributed in a completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial design. There was no effect (p > 0.05) of the inclusion of LRC on the variables. The roughage:concentrate ratio of 40:60 promoted higher values for empty body weight, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, subcutaneous thickness fat, cooling loss, Longissimus muscle area, carcass morphometric measurements, and commercial cuts. Higher weight of leg, muscles, fat, bone and other tissues, as well as for the ratio muscle:fat, and muscle:bone was observed in lambs fed 40R:60C. For the meat chemical composition, there was the effect (p < 0.05) only for ether extract (EE) for lambs fed 40R:60C ratio. The redness (a*) of meat was greater (p < 0.05) for lambs fed 80R:20C. The other physicochemical characteristics were not influenced. The roughage:concentrate ratio of 40:60 improves the carcass traits and commercial cuts, but does not promote changes in meat quality, independent of supplementation with liquid residue of cassava.

This study aimed to evaluate the intake, digestibility, and ingestive behavior of sheep fed with different species of forage cacti. Fifteen sheep (17.27kg ± 1 kg) were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with three treatments and five replicates. The treatments were diets on a dry matter basis composed of 430.9 g kg-1 of thornless Mandacaru cactus (Cereus hildmannianus), 525.7 g kg-1 of cactus pear cv. Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (Opuntia stricta) and 492.1 g kg-1 of cactus pear cv. Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera) in addition to Sabiá hay (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia) (194.7 to 233.8 g kg-1), plus concentrate feed. The intake of the dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, non-fiber carbohydrates, total digestible nutrients and voluntary water intake in g day-1 was not differ (p > 0.05) by experimental diets. There were no differences (p > 0.05) in digestibility coefficients of the dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, non-fiber carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients between the experimental diets. The feeding times differed (p < 0.05) between diets, with a higher value for the Opuntia diet, while the rumination times, feeding efficiency, and rumination efficiency did not differ (p > 0.05). The cactus Cereus and Opuntia and Nopalea have similar nutritional value in sheep’s diet.

This study aimed to assess the effects of diets containing spineless cactus genotypes resistant to carmine cochineal insect (Dactylopius opuntiae) on the liver condition of sheep. Thirty-six non-castrated Santa Inês male sheep (six months of age and average initial body weight of 22.0 ± 2.9 kg) were assigned to a completely randomized design, with three treatments and 12 replicates. The animals were fed a diet with Tifton hay as exclusive roughage (control) and two more diets in which the hay was partially replaced by ‘Miúda’ or ‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ (OEM.) spineless cactus. The animals were randomly slaughtered at 86 days after 16-h solid fast. The use of spineless cactus, regardless of genotype, increased the liver weight and caused inflammatory processes and necrosis on the liver parenchyma. Spineless cactus in diets for sheep confined for 86 days, despite causing liver tissue damage, such as inflammation and death process of hepatocytes, does not compromise weight gain.

The study evaluated the performance, carcass characteristics, tissue composition, and meat quality of goats raised on pasture in the Caatinga rangeland supplemented with Leucena (Leucaena leucocephala) and Sabiá (Mimosa caesapiniifolia) hays associated or not with spineless cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera), and without supplementation. Thirty male castrated goats, no defined breed, with an average body weight of 15.5 kg ± 0.64 were used, distributed in a randomized block design, according to the initial weight of the animals. The experimental period lasted 105 days. The highest intake of DM, OM and CP occurred in the animals supplemented with Leucena hay associated or not with spineless cactus. The intake of NDF was higher (p

Objective To evaluate the effects of the carmine cochineal-resistant spineless cactus genotypes cv. Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (Opuntia) and Miúda (Nopalea) on the intake and digestibility of nutrients, ingestive behavior, performance, and ultrasound measurements of growing lambs. Methods Thirty-six male (non-castrated) Santa Inês lambs were used, with an average age of 6 months and an initial average weight of 22.0±2.9 kg. They were distributed in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments (Tifton hay, Nopalea and Opuntia) and 12 replications, using initial weight as a covariate. The experimental period was 86 days, with the first 30 days used for the adaptation of the animals to the facilities, diets and management, and the remaining 56 days used for evaluation and data collection. Results The intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) showed a significant difference (p0.05) on feeding time, however, rumination time and total chewing time were higher (p0.05). For the ultrasound measurements, Nopalea promoted an increase in the final loin eye area, compared to Tifton hay. Conclusion The use of spineless cactus variety Miúda leads to the greater intake and digestibility of nutrients. The evaluated carmine cochineal-resistant spineless cactus genotypes are alternatives for semi-arid regions as they do not negatively affect the performance of growing lambs.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC):neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ratios (0.70:1, 0.90:1, 1.14:1, 1.42:1, and 1.85:1) in diets containing cactus cladodes on intake, digestibility, ruminal parameters, ingestive behavior, and microbial protein of growing heifers. Five rumen-cannulated heifers (194 ± 70 kg of body weight) were distributed in a Latin square design (5 x 5). There was a quadratic effect on the intake of dry matter (DM) (Kg day-1 and %BW) and crude protein (CP) with the increase in non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC): neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ratio, with maximum values of 7.07 kg day-1, 2.86%, and 0.949 kg day-1, estimated for 1.37:1, 1.39:1, and 1.27:1 ratios. When the intake of NDF decreased, in turn, the intakes of NFC and TDN increased. The NDF digestibility decreased with increasing NFC levels in diets. The other nutrients were not influenced. The ruminal pH showed the lowest values at 4 hours after feeding, mainly for animals fed the 1.85:1 ratio. There was a quadratic effect for rumination time with maximum values estimated for an NFC:NDF ratio of 0.88:1. The time spent idle increased linearly, while total chewing time and feeding efficiency of NDF decreased. The urinary volume increased linearly. However, microbial protein synthesis and the efficiency of the synthesis were not influenced. The number of protozoa increased by 64.5% with the elevation of the NFC:NDF ratio. We recommend a NFC:NDF ratio of 1.37:1 in diets containing cactus cladodes, to improve the use of nutrients, without negatively affecting ruminal parameters.

Objective An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of crude glycerin (0%, 6%, 12%, and 18%) used as a substitute for corn in lamb feed on the quantitative characteristics of the carcass. Methods A total of 40 crossbred Santa Inês lambs that were four months old with a mean initial weight of 21.0±0.8 kg were randomly distributed in four treatments with ten replicates. The animals were slaughtered after 66 days of confinement. The effects of crude glycerin as a replacement for corn in the diet of the lambs on the carcass characteristics, commercial cut weight and yield and carcass measurements were studied. Results There was an increasing linear effect for body weight at slaughter with the replacement of corn by crude glycerin. The dry matter and metabolizable energy intakes, weight of the empty body, hot carcass weight and cold carcass weight showed a quadratic effect, with maximum crude glycerin levels estimated at 10.9%, 9.8%, 10.83%, 11.78%, and 11.35%, respectively. The initial pH was not influenced by the replacement of corn for crude glycerin, while the final pH presented a quadratic effect. The other parameters of the carcass and the weights and yields of commercial cuts were not influenced. There was also no effect of the diets on carcass morphometric measurements, except for the thoracic perimeter and the carcass compactness index, which presented quadratic and linear effects, respectively. Conclusion Crude glycerin can replace up to 18% of corn because it favours muscle tissue deposition without promoting changes in the main carcass characteristics of lambs.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the qualitative parameters and nutritional potential of silage of arboreal cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) shoots. The experiment was carried out in a 4×2 factorial arrangement, for two silage forms (in natura or pre-dried), with four treatments, as follows: without additives (WA); with inoculant (WI); with 2% ground corn (GC); and with 2% ground corn with inoculant (GC+I). The fermentative quality and nutritional parameters of the silages were evaluated. Fermentative quality was better in the WI and GC+I silages. The dry matter content was higher in the pre-dried silage, while the crude protein contents of in natura silage were higher in the WA and WI treatments. The lowest values of neutral detergent fiber and acid-digested lignin were observed in the WI treatment, for pre-dried silage. Total digestible nutrients and total volume of gas were higher in the pre-dried silage, in the WI and GC treatments, respectively. In vitro dry matter digestibility was lower in WA silage, in both forms. Silage of arboreal cotton associated with inoculant or with inoculant with ground corn shows a better fermentation profile and improves the energy and nutritional values, both in natura and pre-dried forms; however, in natura silage is less laborious for rural producers.

This study aimed to assess the nutrient intake and milk production of dairy goats fed with total mixed rations with different species of forage cacti. Five pluriparous Saanen goats (50 ± 4 kg) at nine weeks of lactation were allocated in a Latin square (5 x 5) with five diets and five periods. Each period was composed of 10 days for adaptation and seven days for collection. The treatments were composed of 473.0 to 501.0 g kg-1 of forage cacti: xiquexique (Pilosocereus gounellei), mandacaru (Cereus jamacaru), facheiro (Pilosocereus chrysostele), cactus cladodes cv. miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm-Dyck) and cactus cladodes cv. orelha de elefante mexicana (Opuntia stricta); plus sabiá hay (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia) (188.0 to 198.0 g kg-1) and concentrate (311.0 to 329.0 g kg-1). The intake of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, and water intake through diet components were unaffected by experimental diets. For milk production and feed efficiency, no difference was observed among the diets. All diets containing different species of forage cacti can be used for dairy goats feed.

Objetivou-se determinar os efeitos da substituição do feno de Tifton (Cynodon spp.) por feno de alfafa (Medicago Sativa) em dietas à base de palma forrageira (Nopalea cochenillifera) sobre o balanço hídrico, funções renais e excreção mineral de cabras leiteiras. Utilizou-se 12 cabras da raça Saanen, com peso vivo de 46,23±7,5kg, produção de 3,0 kg leite/dia. O delineamento experimental foi quadrado latino (4x4), com quatro tratamentos (0%; 33,3%; 66,7% e 100% de substituição) e quatro períodos para coleta de dados e amostras. O consumo de matéria seca (CMS), expresso em kg/dia e consumo de água total apresentaram aumento linear (p0,05) pelas dietas. A substituição do feno de Tifton por feno de alfafa em até 300 g/kg de matéria seca, em dietas à base de palma forrageira para cabras em lactação, influencia no consumo de água, sem alterar os índices de excreção urinária.

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o consumo, desempenho, características de carcaça e a qualidade da carne de caprinos criados em pastejo na Caatinga e suplementados com dois tipos de fenos: jitirana (Merremia aegyptia) ou mororó (Bauhinia cheilanta), com ou sem a associação a palma forrageira (Nopalea cochelinifera Salm Dick), e um tratamento sem suplementação (controle). Foram utilizados 30 caprinos machos castrados, sem padrão racial definido, com peso corporal inicial de 19 ± 0,35 kg e aproximadamente 90 dias de idade. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, usando o peso corporal inicial como covariável, em arranjo fatorial (2x2) + 1, com cinco tratamentos e seis repetições. Os maiores consumos de suplemento, consumo total de matéria seca (MS), carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF) e dos nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) ocorreram para os animais alimentados com feno de jitirana ou mororó associados à palma forrageira, e maior consumo de proteína bruta (PB) ocorreu pelos caprinos suplementados com o feno de mororó com palma forrageira. Maiores consumos de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) foram observados nos animais suplementados com feno de jitirana. Não houve influência das dietas sobre o consumo de MS do pasto, desempenho, pesos dos corte e as características de carcaça. Quanto a qualidade da carne, houve influencia dos tratamentos apenas sobre o parâmetro b* (Intensidade de amarelo). A suplementação alimentar com os fenos de jitirana e mororó, e palma forrageira não proporcionou melhorias no desempenho e nas características de carcaça, bem como não influenciou negativamente a qualidade da carne de caprinos criados em pastejo em região de Caatinga.

The objective of this study was to evaluate non-carcass components of goats submitted to grazing in the Caatinga rangeland and supplemented with spineless cactus (Nopalea cochelinifera Salm Dick), Jitirana hay (Merremia aegyptia L. Urban) and Mororó hay (Bauhinia cheilanta Bong Stend). Thirty male goats (castrated), with no defined breed, with an initial mean body weight of 19 ± 0.35 kg and approximately 90 days of age were used. The treatments consisted of grazing without supplementation (GWS), grazing + Jitirana hay (GJ); grazing + Jitirana hay + spineless cactus (GJSC); grazing + Mororó hay (GM); grazing + Mororó hay + spineless cactus (GMSC). The means of the variables were tested by Tukey's test at 5% probability. The goats fed GWS, GJSC, GM and GMSC presented higher weights and yields of the diaphragm, and the spleen weight (p < 0.05). The highest yield of omasum (p < 0.05) occurred with goats fed GJ treatment. There were treatments (p < 0.05) on omental fat weight and leg yield, with the highest values for goats, fed GWS, GJSC, GM, and GMSC. The "Buchada" EBW-1 yield was higher (p < 0.05) for animals fed GWS. Feeding supplementation of goats grazing in the Caatinga had few influences on weights and yields of non-carcass components.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of the substitution (0, 33, 66 and 100%) of corn by cassava wastewater dregs on carcass characteristics and non-carcass components of crossbred Santa Inês lambs. Forty male sheep, uncastrated with an average initial body weight of 20 ± 1.87 kg and five months of age, were used. These were housed in individual pens in a randomized block design with four treatments and ten repetitions and slaughtered after 70 days of confinement. Quadratic effect (P < 0.05) was observed for the empty body weight (EBW), hot carcass weight (HCW) and cold carcass weight (CCW) and carcass compactness index (CCI), with maximum points of 36.14, 19.45, 20.20 and 0.31 kg cm-1 for the replacement level of corn for cassava wastewater dregs, 50.0, 53.84, 54.04 and 45.45% respectively. There was also an effect (P < 0.05) on the weights of the rumen and “Buchada”, with maximum points of 0.909 and 6.25 kg per replacement level, 49.11 and 51.29% respectively. As for retail cuts, only the efficiency of the leg was altered (P < 0.05), having a linear increase while the other variables were not affected. Cassava wastewater dregs can be used in full as an alternative food in the diet of feedlot lambs without harming the main carcass characteristics and non-carcass components.