In the small ruminant sector, there is a great interest in measuring and improving their production systems and their environmental performance, since its great adaptability and inhabits a wide variety of ecosystems, with a great biodiversity of food resources, grazing in turn, generates economic-productive and environmental benefits. However, unplanned management and overexploitation of the natural resources of these areas have caused erosion, water depletion and even desertification, in the same manner intensive production systems and intensive agriculture that feeds these farming systems. To compare scientific innovations in the sustainability of the different production systems of small ruminants a bibliometric analysis was carried out to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the management of extensive, semi-intensive and intensive-stable production systems in the sustainability of small ruminants. There is concern in society about the environmental impact of animal production systems and that these have been carried out in a sustainable way. This trend influences the production of sheep, goats, and white-tailed deer, which are develop in intensive, semi-extensive and extensive systems. Due to the pressure to increase the volume and efficiency of production and to cope with demand, intensive systems are best suited, but face greater environmental such emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), which contribute to global warming and animal environmental problems. On the other hand, semi-extensive and extensive systems also emit GHGs, however are associated with greater animal welfare and cleaner production. However, are affected by seasonal variations for forage production to maintain production levels.
This study aimed to determine seasonal chemical composition, metabolizable energy (ME) concentration, in vitro gas production patterns, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and in vitro true organic matter digestibility (IVTOMD) of foliage from 5 native shrub species (Celtis pallida, Croton suaveolens, Forestiera angustifolia, Guaiacum angustifolium and Parkinsonia aculeata) growing in semi-arid areas of northeastern Mexico between July 2018 and June 2019 at 2 research sites. Crude protein (CP) concentrations (>13.2% DM) found in leaf material should meet or exceed the requirements for maintenance of small ruminants; C. pallida provided the highest CP% (20.8‒29.3%). While CP% varied with season and site, species had a greater effect than either of those factors overall. ME concentrations ranged between 1.2 and 2.0 Mcal/kg DM. Neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber concentrations ranged from 29.8 to 51.7% DM and 9.8 to 33.0% DM, respectively. Data obtained for IVOMD (34.5‒58.8%) and IVTOMD (64.1‒88.7%) demonstrate the high nutritive potential of leaf of browse species under study, especially C. pallida, as useful feed supplements for small ruminants in the semi-arid region of northeastern Mexico. Further studies could examine DM yields of browse from the various species, acceptance by small ruminants and their sustainability under regular defoliation under grazing.
This study was conducted to determine the monthly composition of the minerals Ca, P, K, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in five shrub species that are consumed by small ruminants in the semi-arid regions of northeastern Mexico. Leaves samples of shrub species; Celtis pallida, Croton suaveolens, Forestiera angustifolia, Guaiacum angustifolium and Parkinsonia aculeata were randomly collected during twelve consecutive months from July 2018 to June 2019 in two sites, located in Linares and Los Ramones counties, in the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Mineral content was analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, while phosphorus was measured by the colorimetry method. The Linares county showed the highest content of macro- and micro-minerals. Among species, C. pallida showed the highest values of macro-minerals and P. aculeata content of micro-minerals was highest. Ca (total mean = 40.0 g kg-1 DM), K (15.4 g kg-1), Mg (3.7 g kg-1), Fe (87.2 mg kg-1), Mn (35.5 mg kg-1) were available in adequate quantities, while P (1.3 g kg-1 DM), Cu (6.4 mg kg-1) and Zn (17.7 mg kg-1) were found deficient. Shrub species in this study can be considered as a good source of Ca, K, Mg, Fe and Mn except in C. suaveolens. However, P, Cu and Zn must be supplemented.
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Many trees and shrubs from different parts of the world have forage potential, because they are inexpensive local products used for small ruminants as feed resource, some of these native shrubs are currently already an important fodder resources in arid and semi-arid regions of Northeastern México. <strong>Objective:</strong> The aim of this study was to determine the cell-wall composition and <em>in vitro</em> leaf digestibility of five shrub species: <em>Celtis pallida</em>, <em>Croton suaveolens</em>, <em>Forestiera angustifolia</em>, <em>Guaiacum angustifolium</em> and <em>Parkinsonia aculeata</em>. <strong>Methodology: </strong>Plant material was collected monthly from July 2018 to June 2019 at two sampling sites in Nuevo León, México: Linares and Los Ramones Counties. <em>In vitro</em> dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) was calculated using the Daisy<sup>II</sup> incubator. <strong>Results: </strong>Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) (total mean = 22.4% dry matter) varied significantly among species, sites, and months (p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). Conversely, neither acid detergent lignin (ADL) (8.4%), crude protein (CP) (21.9%), cellulose (12.5%), hemicellulose (20.8%), nor IVDMD (75.5%) varied significantly between sites. In general, NSC values were higher in Linares. The highest and lowest IVDMD values as per the Daisy<sup>II</sup> incubator were recorded in March and September, respectively. <em>C</em>. <em>pallida</em> showed the highest IVDMD associated with a high hemicellulose and low ADL values, whereas <em>P</em>. <em>aculeata</em> showed a lower IVDMD value and high cellulose content. <strong>Implications: </strong>All species maintained considerably high levels of digestibility, which might indicate an availability of high CP levels for consumption by ruminants in the semi-arid regions of northeastern México. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> It is concluded that the species under study can be considered as emergency feed resources for small ruminants throughout the year.</p>
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