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The study aimed to evaluate the potential use of dried or ensiled paulownia (Paulownia spp.) leaves as roughage source for ruminants. Paulownia tree leaves were collected from one-year-old hybrid (C-125, CAR, and TF-33 clones) trees. Dried paulownia leaves of the clones were different in dry matter (DM), crude ash (CA), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), and nitrogen-free extract (NfE) and similar in neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL); however, these values (except EE and ADL) of ensiled leaves were significantly different among the clones. Mean CP, CA, and condensed tannin contents in dried leaves were 15.36, 9.21, and 1.75%, respectively; NDF, ADF, and ADL contents were 38.35, 35.49, and 12.08%, respectively. Mean total volatile fatty acids, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and metabolizable energy (ME) value in dried leaves were 95.26 mmol/L, 76.34%, and 10.77 MJ/kg, respectively, whereas, CO2 and CH4 production were 54.66 and 29.78 mmol/L, respectively. Buffering capacity and water-soluble carbohydrates varied among the pre-ensiled paulownia leaves, although their means were 395.66 mEq/kg DM and 86.63 g/kg DM, respectively. In ensiled leaves, the pH, lactic acid ratio, and acetic acid ratio were 4.98, 11.23, and 2.56%, respectively, and butyric acid was not detected in any of the silages. Mean values of IVOMD and ME in ensiled leaves were 72.30% and 9.93 MJ/kg, respectively. Dried paulownia leaves are a high-quality alternative forage and the ensiled form is of medium quality. Therefore, paulownia leaves could be used as an alternative roughage source for ruminants.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the replacement effect of cactus cladodes with cassava root and corn silage (CRCS) (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%, dry matter basis) in diets of lactating dairy cows on nutrients intake and digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen balance, and milk yield. Ten Holstein cows with an average milk yield of 16 kg/day, an initial body weight (BW) of 670 ± 35 kg, and an average of 17 weeks in milking were assigned to an experiment using a double 5 × 5 Latin square design. The ratio of forage/concentrate was 82:18, and the ingredients used were cactus cladodes, cassava root, corn silage, soybean meal, wheat meal, urea, and mineral premix. The intake of dry matter, organic matter, and total digestible nutrients were not influenced by the replacement levels. On the other hand, the intake of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber increased while the intake of non-fiber carbohydrates decreased with addition of CRCS. The digestibility of the nutrients was not changed as the milk yield as fat-corrected milk production and milk content of fat, protein, lactose, and total solids. The microbial protein synthesis, microbial protein efficiency, nitrogen balance, and efficiency of N in milk were not changed. Therefore, we recommend the complete replacement of cactus cladodes by cassava root and corn silage in the diets of lactating cows with an average milk yield of 16 kg/day.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of partial or total replacement of Tifton 85 hay with cassava foliage hay and/or spineless cactus on the weight gain, body measurements, ingestive behaviour, and parasite infection of confined sheep. Thirty-five non-castrated male lambs with no defined breed were housed in individual pens for 90 days. Five treatments in a complete mixture were offered twice a day: Tifton hay (TH), cassava foliage hay (CFH), Tifton hay + cassava foliage hay (TH + CFH), Tifton hay + spineless cactus (TH + SC), and cassava foliage hay + spineless cactus (CFH + SC). The data were evaluated by analysis of variance and Tukey's test at 5% probability. The dry matter and crude protein intake were higher in sheep fed CFH and CFH + SC than sheep fed TH. Animals fed TH + SC presented a higher average daily gain (0.215 g) than sheep fed TH (0.125 g). The addition of spineless cactus to the diet with Tifton hay increased the feed efficiency by approximately 100% but did not affect the faecal egg count/g. The use of cassava foliage hay and its association with spineless cactus is recommended for the replacement of Tifton 85 hay in the diet of confined sheep.

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OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate sugarcane bagasse as roughage in lactating cow on feed intake, digestibility, ingestive behavior, milk production and composition, and microbial protein synthesis. METHODS: Ten Girolando cows at initial body weight of 450±25.6 kg and at 143.7±30.7 days in milk were assigned in two 5×5 Latin square designs. Five 21-day experimental periods were adopted (1° to 14-day: diets adaptation period; 15° to 21-day: data collection and sampling period). The diets consisted of four different levels of sugarcane bagasse (45%, 50%, 55%, and 60%) and a control diet, commonly adopted in the region, based on spineless cactus (25% sugarcane bagasse), formulated to meet 12 kg/d milk yield. RESULTS: The dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and total digestible nutrients intakes and DM and OM digestibilities observed for 45% and 50% bagasse inclusion were similar to control diet, while that 55% and 60% bagasse inclusion were lower. Cows fed control diet, and bagasse diets of 45%, and 50% levels had the nutritional requirements attended, that guaranteed 12 kg/d of milk yield. The crude protein intake and digestibility of cows fed 45%, 50%, and 55% of bagasse inclusion were similar to control diet. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake and digestibility differ for all bagasse diets related to control diet, while the non-fiber carbohydrates intake and digestibility for cows fed 45% of bagasse were similar for control diet. The intakes and digestibilities of nutrients decreased linearly in function of bagasse inclusion; NDF and indigestible NDF intakes did not vary. The ruminating time, feeding and rumination efficiency, microbial protein synthesis and milk yield decreased linearly with sugarcane bagasse inclusion. CONCLUSION: Sugarcane bagasse decreases milk production; however, its inclusion level in between 45% to 50% associated to concentrate could replace diets based on spineless cactus for crossbred dairy cow's producing 12 kg/d of milk.