Total replacement of corn by mesquite pod meal considering nutritional value, performance, feeding behavior, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein synthesis of Holstein-Zebu crossbred dairy steers

Abstract

The objective of the present study to assess the effects of mesquite pod addition replacing corn (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 g/kg in the dry matter basis) on nutrient intake, animal performance, feeding behavior, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and microbial protein synthesis. Twenty-five Holstein-Zebu crossbred dairy steers at 219 ± 22 kg initial body weight and 18 months of age were used. The experiment lasted 84 days, divided into three periods of 28 days. A completely randomized design was used, and data were submitted to analysis using PROC GLM for analysis of variance and PROC REG for regression analysis using the software Statistical Analysis Systems version 9.1. Experimental diets were composed of Tifton 85 hay, soybean meal, ground corn, mesquite pod meal, and mineral salt. Samples of food offered were collected during the last 3 days of each period, and the leftovers were collected daily, with samples bulked per week. At the end of each 28-day period, the remaining animals were weighed to determine total weight gain and average daily gain. The assessment of behavioral patterns was performed through instantaneous scans in 5-min intervals for three consecutive 12-h days. A single urine sample from each animal was collected on the last day of each collection period at about 4 h after the first feeding. The replacement of corn by mesquite pod meal did not significantly influence treatments regarding nutrients intake, animal performance, and feeding behavior. Retained and consumed nitrogen ratio did not statistically differ between replacement levels. Likewise, there were no statistical differences regarding microbial protein synthesis and efficiency between replacement levels. Mesquite pod meal can be used in Holstein-Zebu crossbred dairy steers' diet with total corn replacement.

The Use of Removed Mesquite Brush as a Fiber Replacement in Silage Production

“…The mesquite silage presented the greatest value for NDF of all documented figures. This is not surprising, however, given that most investigations have selected individual plant parts, such as pods [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 14 , 31 , 32 ], leaves [ 7 , 8 , 29 ], or seeds [ 14 , 28 , 33 , 34 ]. Pulp, the most similar product to the whole-plant biomass used in the current study, was only evaluated in one previous manuscript [ 9 ], and this experiment did not evaluate the commonly found P. juliflora .…”

“…Dutta et al [ 7 ] found that leaves of P. cineraria (L.) Druce improved the digestibility coefficients of all measures of nutritive value when supplemented to a rice straw diet in goats, while Bhatta et al [ 8 ] found mixed results of P. cineraria leaf supplementation of lambs and kids. Much of the interest in feeding mesquite species to livestock has revolved around the use of pods [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ] or seeds [ 13 ] as a protein source as mesquite belongs to the Fabaceae family [ 5 ]. Few, though, have investigated the total biomass of mesquite.…”

Economic Assessment and Community Management of Prosopis juliflora Invasion in Sweimeh Village, Jordan

“…The primary benefits were the provision of charcoal, pods for fodder and fuel wood as sources of cheap energy in a remote area. These products directly contributed as income sources (charcoal and fuel wood) and as replacements for expensive animal fodders (pods and leaves) as others have indicated [29,31,52,53]. The results provided the estimated annual income for the household from P. juliflora (JOD 2167) considering the scenario in which the current forestry law is modified to allow for legal use.…”

Prosopis juliflora: nutritional value, bioactive activity, and potential application in human nutrition

“…The replacement of corn with P. juliflora pod meal in cattle feed did not affect nutrient intake, total weight gain, nutrient digestibility, or nitrogen intake. The pod meal of P. juliflora also provided a better performance of the ruminal microbiota 12 . Khobondo et al 26 .…”

“…The fruits of P. juliflora are pods studied because they have a high nutritional value and have strong potential to be introduced into human consumption. They can also be included in manufacturing products in the food industry, 11 providing a viable and sustainable alternative 12 . The pods contain high protein and carbohydrates and are rich in fiber, lipids, and minerals 13 .…”