Levels of leucaena hay (Leucaena leucocephala leucocephala) associated with cactus pear (Nopalea cochenilifera Salm Dyck) in diets for crossbred steers

Abstract

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of leucaena hay combined with cactus pear on the nutritional parameters and nitrogen metabolism of crossbred steers. Eight crossbred steers, with an average age of 12 months, initial weight of 267.5 ± 15 kg, were distributed into two simultaneous 4x4 Latin squares according to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, in which the first factor evaluated two different proportions of inclusion of hay from leucena (50 or 70% dry matter basis), and the second factor was the total replacement of ground corn grain with cactus pear. Data were analyzed by the MIXED procedure of SAS. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. There was lower dry matter (DM) intake (P < 0.05) in animals fed 70% hay. There was an interaction (P < 0.05) between the factors for DM digestibility, in which the animals fed cactus pear did not differ regardless of the inclusion of leucaena, but for animals without cactus pear, the greater inclusion of leucaena hay decreases DM digestibility. The inclusion of cactus decreased (P < 0.05) free water intake. On the other hand, there was interaction (P < 0.05) for total water intake, in which the animals fed without cactus pear presented similarity for this, while in the inclusion of cactus pear, the animals fed 70% of leucaena presented higher water intake. Also, lower values (P < 0.05) of chewing (number/bolus and number/d) were observed for animals fed cactus pear.