Pinos-Rodriguez, J.M., Velasquez-Blanco, J.C., Gonzalez-Muiioz, S.S., Garcia-Lbpez, J.C., Aguirre-Rivera, J.R. and Barcena, R. 2007. Evaluation of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) as forage in a high concentrate total mixed ration on finishing lambs. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 32: 161-164.
A study was conducted to compare two total mixed rations with similar level of NDF using cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) or alfalfa as forages, in a high level concentrate rations on (i) growth performance in finishing lambs, (ii) nutrients in vivo digestibility and N a n d energy balance and (iii) ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid (VFA). The high moisture level of cactus pear limited its incorporation in the ration