Produção de leite e custos da alimentação de cabras Saanen em lactação recebendo dietas contendo palma orelha de elefante mexicana em substituição à palma miúda

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate milk production and cost of feeding Saanen goats in lactation receiving diets containing palm ear of Mexican elephant in replacement of the small palm. The experiment was carried out in the Caprine Sector of the Department of Animal Science at the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco. Ten adult Saanen goats were used in lactation, with a mean body weight of 50 kg and a mean milk yield of 3.8 kg of milk per day. The animals were distributed in a double –square Latin experimental design (5x5) according to the lactation period. The diets were distributed according to the following levels of Nopalea cochenillifera replacement by the Opuntia strica: Control; 0%; 11.5%; 23.5% and 35%. Dry matter intake, milk production (3.21 kg) and milk production corrected to 3.5% fat (2.76 kg) did not differ (P>0.05) with the levels of substitution Opuntia strica.The Opuntia strica replacement diet (35%) had the lowest value (2.65 R $ / day) for the daily feed cost. Replacement is recommended of the Nopalea cochenillifera by the Opuntia strica in the diet of lactating goats, since there was no compromise in the consumption and the milk production and for reducing the costs of the diets, generating higher income for the producer.