Abstract:
The effect of the inclusion of spineless cactus [0, 14.7, 29.4, 44.1, and 58.8% of Dry
Matter (DM)] basis in replacement of Tifton hay on the intake and digestibility of
nutrients, feeding behavior, and nitrogen compounds balance were evaluated. Five
crossbred steers, rumen fistulated, with average body weight of 380±5.3 kg were assigned
to a 5×5 Latin square design. The time spent with rumination activity linearly decreased
(P< 0.05) with the inclusion of spineless cactus; and the feeding time showed
a quadratic
effect (P< 0.05), with a minimum time of 195 min d
-
1
estimated with 35.7% of spineless
cactus inclusion. The nutrient intake showed a quadratic effect (P< 0.05), with a
maximum intake of DM (8.9 kg d
-
1
), Crude Protein (CP; 1.4 kg d
-
1
), and Dig
estible
Organic Matter (DOM; 5.8 kg d
-
1
) estimated with 33.9, 29.9, and 41.8% of spineless
cactus inclusion, respectively. Except (P> 0.05) to Neutral Detergent Fiber corrected to
ash and protein (apNDF), the total digestibility of DM linearly increased (P
< 0.05) with
spineless cactus inclusion replacing Tifton hay. Except for plasma and urinary urea
nitrogen, which were not affected (P> 0.05), there was a quadratic effect (P< 0.05) on
nitrogen balance, with a maximum value of 170 g d
-
1
estimated with 33.2%
of spineless
cactus inclusion. It is recommended to include 41.8% spineless cactus in replacement of
Tifton hay for crossbred cattle, due to the higher DOM intake without altering the
nitrogen efficiency use.
Keywords
:
Alternative feed, Drought, Fiber, In
take,
Nopalea cochenillifera
Salm
-
Dyck,
Rumination time.
