Huizache (Acacia farnesiana) whole pods (flesh and seeds) as an alternative feed for sheep in Mexico

Abstract

Two experiments were undertaken to evaluate the use of pods from Huizache (Acacia farnesiana), common in the arid and semiarid regions of Mexico, on the perfromance and apparent digestibility in Pelibuey Mexican hair growing ewe lambs. Twenty-four Pelibuey ewe lambs were used in the animal performance experiment, with a mean live weight of 14.91 +/- 1.48 kg, randomnly allocated to three groups which received ad libitum for 77 days (11 weeks) experimental whole rations T0 with 0%, T12 with 12% or T24 with 24% inclusión of dried and ground Huizache pods. Dry matter intakes (g/kg (0.75) daily) were 83, 95, 90 for T0, T12, and T24 respectively (P > 0.05). Mean daily live-weight gain was 90, 75, and 63 g/day for T0, T12, and T24 (P < 0.001). Nine Pelibuey ewe lambs were used to determine apparent digestibility in vivo of the experimental diets using a 3 x 3 latin square design repeated three times. There were differences in the digestibility of dry matter (P < 0.001), organic matter (P < 0.001), nitrogen (P < 0.031), neutral detergent fibre (P < 0.002), and acid detergent fibre (P < 0.001) being lower in T24. Huizache pods may be an alternative feed when included up to 12% of dry matter in the diets for sheep growing moderately.

Chemical composition, antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds of vegetation species ingested by goats on semiarid rangelands

“…Results on composition indicated that the shrubland species are characterized by high fibre contents and poor protein values; these results are in line with other vegetation assessments from low precipitation areas (Baraza et al, 2008;García-Winder et al, 2009). Although Acacia, Mimosa, Prosopis and Verbasina species had high crude protein contents, the use of some of these resources might be limited due to the presence of large tannin contents, which are a part of PBC (Ben Salem et al, 2005;Jiménez-Ferrer et al, 2008).…”

“…The CP values of the Opuntia species in our study were around the 6% previously reported (Baraza et al, 2008;Parveen et al, 2010). Despite the good CP results of some of the shrub species, their exclusive use for goat feeding could cause temporary nutritional imbalances or permanent undernourishment, especially during dry seasons when grazing pressure is higher and the availability and nutritive value of forages decreases dramatically (García-Winder et al, 2009). To cope with this risk, proper supplementation during dry seasons is highly recommended (Galina et al, 2007).…”

“…Nonetheless, at a moderate degree of consumption, such resources can be a valuable nutrient supply where seasonality and forage scarcity are the main limitations for low-input farming production. For example, the concentration of protein offered in the diet increased linearly with the inclusion of pods of the leguminous shrub A. farnesiana (0%, 12%, and 24%) in pelibuey lamb rations (García-Winder et al, 2009). Velázquez-Avendaño et al (2005) concluded that the inclusion of 40% A. farnesiana in wool-sheep diets based on maize straw is recommended as a valuable protein source.…”

“…Usually, investigations of arid or semiarid systems have mainly evaluated nutritional characteristics of a few vegetation species, mainly herbs. Moreover, the assessments that included shrub species have mostly tested these for detrimental feed ingredients and their impact on dry matter intake and protein digestibility (Ben Salem et al, 2005;Baraza et al, 2008;García-Winder et al, 2009).…”

Milk fatty acid composition from goats in a semiintensive production system in an arid region of the peninsula of Baja California, Mexico

“…However, much of the goat milk production system in Mexico has historically been based on extensive systems, where animals roam the local rangeland for food, with different seasonal availability (6), which can affect the quality of the milk since fodder quality apparently is the most important factor (7). It is generally accepted that of the 2 common production systems, extensive and intensive feeding systems, the former pasture-based system has been found to provide healthier compounds in milk (8).…”