Intake, digestibility, and performance of lambs fed spineless cactus cv. Orelha de Elefante Mexicana

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the carmine cochineal-resistant spineless cactus genotypes cv. Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (<i>Opuntia</i>) and Miúda (<i>Nopalea</i>) on the intake and digestibility of nutrients, ingestive behavior, performance, and ultrasound measurements of growing lambs.Methods: Thirty-six male (non-castrated) Santa Inês lambs were used, with an average age of 6 months and an initial average weight of 22.0±2.9 kg. They were distributed in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments (Tifton hay, <i>Nopalea</i> and <i>Opuntia</i>) and 12 replications, using initial weight as a covariate. The experimental period was 86 days, with the first 30 days used for the adaptation of the animals to the facilities, diets and management, and the remaining 56 days used for evaluation and data collection.Results: The intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total carbohydrates (TC), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), and total digestible nutrients (TDN) showed a significant difference (p<0.05) as a function of the diets, with the <i>Nopalea</i> treatment (p<0.05) increasing DM intake (g/kg and % body weight [BW]), CP, TDN, and TC digestibility, whereas the Tifton hay diet led to a high (p<0.001) neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) g/d intake, NDFap (BW %) and digestibility of said nutrient. There was no effect of treatments (p>0.05) on feeding time, however, rumination time and total chewing time were higher (p<0.05) for animals fed Tifton hay. The performance of the animals was similar (p>0.05). For the ultrasound measurements, <i>Nopalea</i> promoted an increase in the final loin eye area, compared to Tifton hay.Conclusion: The use of spineless cactus variety Miúda leads to the greater intake and digestibility of nutrients. The evaluated carmine cochineal-resistant spineless cactus genotypes are alternatives for semi-arid regions as they do not negatively affect the performance of growing lambs.

Effect of Prickly Pear Cactus Peel Supplementation on Milk Production, Nutrient Digestibility and Rumen Fermentation of Sheep and the Maternal Effects on Growth and Physiological Performance of Suckling Offspring

“…In parallel with the present findings, the increase in DM, OM and CP total and ruminal digestibility induced by the spineless cactus replacing Tifton hay in sheep could be interpreted by the availability and better use of nutrients for ruminal microorganisms [81]. Furthermore, the digestibility of CP, total carbohydrates, and TDN increased (p < 0.05) in lambs fed spineless cacti [82]. According to Siqueira et al [81], spineless cacti consist of non-fibrous carbohydrates that represent the largest fraction of the total carbohydrates, and are readily fermentable in the rumen.…”

Carcass characteristics and meat quality of lambs fed with cassava foliage hay and spineless cactus

“…Lopes et al. (2019) also found an increase in the DM intake of the sheep when TH was partially replaced by SC in the sheep diet but reported similar BWS in both treatments. In the present study, the effect observed on BWS refers to the increase in the EBW, since the GITC was not influenced by the diets.…”

Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck)—The Best Forage Cactus Genotype for Feeding Lactating Dairy Cows in Semiarid Regions

“…During the present experiment, animals receiving MC demonstrated higher appetites. The highest levels of sugars and starch observed for this forage cactus may contribute to the high palatability attributed to this genotype [28], partially justifying the higher DM intake provided. Inácio et al [25] also observed greater DM intake with MC than OEMC.…”