Effects of Bermudagrass hay and soybean hulls inclusion on performance of sheep fed cactus-based diets

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of replacing corn with soybean hulls (SH) or Bermudagrass tifton hay (TH) on performance of sheep fed cactus-based diets. Three ruminally fistulated sheep were used in a 3 x 3 Latin square experiment with 21-day periods. All diets contained 75% spineless cactus (dry matter basis, DM) and formulated to be isonitrogenous. Fiber source had no influence on nutrient intakes except for the intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) which was lower (p<0.05) for animals fed corn relative to those fed SH or TH. Time expended in rumination and total chewing time were higher (p<0.05) for animals fed TH than those fed SH or corn. In vivo nutrient digestibilities were similar for all dietary treatments and averaged 69.6%, 74.8%, 69.9%, and 61.8% for DM, organic matter, crude protein, and NDF, respectively. Feeding SH relative to TH and corn decreased ruminal pH (p<0.05) and increased concentration of total volatile fatty acids (p<0.05). However, ruminal NH3-N concentration was higher (p<0.05) for animal fed TH than for those fed SH or corn. Abdominal distension and ruminal biofilm production were greater (p<0.05) in animals fed corn or SH than in those fed TH. It was concluded that replacing corn with SH or TH up to 15% of the diet DM in a cactus-based diet had no effect on nutrient intakes or total tract nutrient utilization. Changes in ruminal fermentation parameters reflected differences in ruminal degradability between the two fiber sources. Bermudagrass tifton hay was more effective than SH in reducing the risk of bloat associated with feeding high levels of spineless cactus to ruminants.

Effect of feeding cactus-legume silages on nitrogen retention, digestibility and microbial protein synthesis in goats

“…However, its use is limited by high water content which results in high ruminal degradability and laxative effects. Cactus cladodes have high water content which results in high ruminal degradability and laxative effects when fed alone (Ben Salem et al (2004); Souza et al, 2009;Santos et al, 2010). In addition, Opuntia ficus indica cladodes are not nutritionally balanced as it is low in crude protein, fibre, phosphorus and sodium (Souza et al, 2009;Nefzaoui, 2010,).…”

Edible spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica): A promising alternative forage source for livestock

“…ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur has successfully established a thornless variety of cactus called 'CAZRI Botanical Garden' with very good yield and palatability to livestock (Kumar et al 2017). However, cactus cladodes have high water content which results in high ruminal degradability and laxative effects when fed alone (Ben Salem et al 2004, Souza et al 2009, Santos et al 2010) but this laxative action has no detrimental effect on the animal's health. It is the result of a fast passage through the digestive system (De Kock, 2001).…”

Productive evaluation of Capra hircus feeded with rice scrambled salad and Opuntia Ficus

“…Los datos fueron registrados en una hoja electrónica y los datos procesados con el programa estadístico Excel, determinando la prueba de análisis de varianza, y luego la prueba de significancia Duncan. Los datos se analizaron a un nivel de significación α = 0,05 (Santos et al, 2010). Se realizaron actividades para la valoración del incremento de peso vivo, consumo del alimento, la conversión alimenticia y el mérito económico de los caprinos alimentados con ensilado biológico.…”

“…Se tuvo en cuenta la presencia de cuadros diarreicos para el presente trabajo en la fase de adaptación donde se incorporaron diferentes niveles del ensilado proporcionado a los animales niveles de ensilado que va desde 10, 20, 30, 40 y 50% de la dieta, considerándose cuadros diarreicos a más de cinco deyecciones continuas de heces sueltas según (Santos et al, 2010).…”