Peas may be a candidate crop for integrating silvoarable systems and dairy buffalo farming in southern Italy

Romano

et al. 2020

Animals

Self Cite

Simple Summary: Currently, the protein needs of lactating buffaloes are mainly covered by soybean derivatives produced predominantly overseas. In order to promote the use of locally produced protein sources, in this study we tested the effects of total replacement of soybean meal by using chickpea meal, a protein-rich legume well adapted to and traditionally grown in the Mediterranean area. We evaluated the effects of these two alternative protein sources on blood profile, reproductive response and milk traits in primiparous buffaloes in early lactation. Based on our findings, chickpea meal does not impair the productive and reproductive performances of primiparous dairy buffaloes. In addition, chickpeas may represent a good alternative protein source for organic farms as it is not at risk of contamination by genetically modified cultivars.Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the use of chickpea meal in substitution of soybean meal on plasma metabolites, reproductive response, milk yield and composition and milk coagulation traits of primiparous buffaloes in early lactation. Eighteen primiparous buffaloes were blocked by age, body weight and days in milk and equally allotted to two experimental groups from 10 to 100 days of lactation. The experimental diets consisted of the same forage integrated with two different isonitrogenous and isoenergetic concentrates containing either 210 g/kg of soybean meal or 371 g/kg chickpea. The use of chickpea meal had no negative effects on dry matter intake (p = 0.69), body condition score (p = 0.33) and milk yield (p = 0.15). Neither milk composition nor blood metabolites were influenced by dietary treatments (p > 0.05), but an increment of urea concentrations in milk (p < 0.05) and blood plasma (p < 0.001) were observed in buffaloes fed chickpeas. Moreover, no effect (p > 0.05) of the dietary treatment was highlighted on milk coagulation traits as well as buffalo reproductive responses. We concluded that soybean meal can be replaced by chickpea meal in the diet for primiparous dairy buffaloes in the early lactation period without impairing their productive and reproductive performance.

Section: Milk Traits and Fatty Acids Compositionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Effects of Chickpea in Substitution of Soybean Meal on Milk Production, Blood Profile and Reproductive Response of Primiparous Buffaloes in Early Lactation

Romano

et al. 2020

Animals

Self Cite

“…The surveyed Caciocavallo varieties were produced mostly from cows’ milk. Two varieties were made with milk from the Mediterranean water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis ) and were produced in the regions of Campania and Lazio, where about 90% of the Italian buffalo population is concentrated (Sannino et al , ), almost exclusively for milk production (Masucci et al ; Serrapica et al ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity of traditional Caciocavallo cheeses produced in Italy

Uzun

et al. 2019

Int J of Dairy Tech

Self Cite

This paper presents the results of a survey carried out in 68 dairies in southern Italy on the manufacturing processes of traditional Italian Caciocavallo cheese varieties. Following a study of the relevant literature, the various cheesemaking processes were analysed and the implications of different cheesemaking procedures were explored. The manufacturing variations able to influence the organoleptic characteristics of Caciocavallo cheese were milk and rennet types, procedures for curd acidification and stretching, salting and ripening conditions, and smoking treatment. This survey is designed to guide producers and consumers alike with respect to the perceivable effects of manufacturing variants on cheese quality.

“…Hence, the implementation of strategies to support the transition toward a circular economy model balancing economic development with environmental and resource protection [2] is a relevant issue for the whole agri-food sector [3,4]. In the Mediterranean area, the protein needs of ruminants are mainly supplied by soybean meal imported from elsewhere [5,6,7]. On the other hand, emerging agro-industrial multi-purpose crops such cardoon ( Cynara cardunculus L.) and hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) along with well-established crops, mainly smoking tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.) and pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) have found additional use for oil production in recent years.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Fiber Cakes from Mediterranean Multipurpose Oilseeds as Protein Sources for Ruminants

Raffrenato

et al. 2019

Animals

Self Cite

Simple SummaryRecovery and valorization of residues are key factors for agro-industry to progress towards circular-economy models and more sustainable productions. In the vegetable oils industry, large quantities of spent seed cakes are produced downstream of the oil extraction processes, and their use as animal feedstuffs, mainly as protein supplements for ruminants, is a possible valorization strategy. In this study, we analyzed chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of spent cakes from sunflower, pomegranate, cardoon, tobacco and hemp that are multipurpose cultures emerging in Mediterranean area. The results showed that the cakes of tobacco, cardoon and hemp might be interesting alternative protein feeds for ruminants. The valorization of these cakes may potentially improve economic and environmental sustainability of the emerging vegetable-oil production chains.AbstractFifteen oilseed cakes from sunflower, pomegranate, cardoon, tobacco and hemp were characterized with regard to chemical composition, Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) fractionation, in vitro digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein. All the cakes presented low moisture, rather variable ether extract contents and medium to high levels of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. The cakes significantly differed in terms of CNCPS partitioning and in vitro digestibility. Tobacco and hemp cakes presented high contents of slow degradable fractions of crude protein and carbohydrate joined to good post-ruminal protein digestibility. Cardoon cakes presented the highest rumen protein degradability. Based on crude protein content and intestinal digestibility of rumen undegraded protein, cakes of tobacco and hemp showed the better potential as alternative protein supplements for ruminants, while pomegranate appears to be the least suitable for ruminant feeding.