Milk yield and composition in dairy goats fed pornunça hay or cactus pear levels

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of diets containing pornunça hay (Manihot sp) and levels of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill) in their natural state on the intake, digestibility, ingestive behavior, milk production, and quality, as well as the economic feasibility for lactating goats. Eight multiparous goats with 30 days of lactation and an average weight of 40 ± 2.5 kg and an average production of 2 ± 1.8 kg/day were used, distributed in a double Latin square design (4x4). The treatments consisted of isoproteic diets which are composed of increasing levels of cactus pear (0, 10, 20, and 30% dry matter). Incorporating cactus pear into the diet of lactating goats resulted in a significant decrease (P<0.05) in water intake and the intake of most evaluated nutrients, which directly reflected in the diet effectively consumed by the animals. However, it did not affect (P>0.05) milk production or fat-corrected milk production. Incorporating cactus pear into the diet of lactating goats resulted in a significant decrease (P<0.05) in production costs, water intake, and the intake of most evaluated nutrients, which were directly reflected in the diet effectively consumed by the animals. However, it did not affect (P>0.05) milk production or fat-corrected milk production. The level of 30% cactus pear inclusion in the diet of lactating goats increased the economic efficiency of production without affecting milk production and maintaining a good composition of solids.