Abstract :
This study evaluated the effect of substituting corn meal with cactus pear (Opuntia ficusindica
L. Miller) on water intake of dairy goats during lactation. Ten goats (Saanen, n=5;
Alpine, n = 5)were distributedintwo 5×5 Latin squares according to breed.Ration consisted
of 50% hay and 50% concentrate in which corn meal was replaced by increasing levels of
cactus pear (0, 7, 14, 21 and 28% DM). Milk production, feed intake, dry matter (DM) intake,
weight gain, water intake and water intake from cactus pear were evaluated. There were
no differences (P > 0.05) between breeds or interaction breed×treatment for the evaluated
variables. Cactus pear levels had no effect on milk production; however, there was a linear
reduction of milk fat with increasing cactus pear levels (P < 0.01). Increasing levels of cactus
pear in the diet increased dry matter intake according to an exponential equation (P < 0.001;
R2 = 0.81) and fresh matter intake increased linearly (P < 0.01; R2 = 0.99);meanvalues ranged
from 1.95 to 2.31 kg/d and 2.03 to 13.48 kg/d, respectively. On the other hand, water intake
was markedly reduced in a linear manner due to cactus pear addition to the diet (P < 0.01).
Cactus pear may substitute corn meal in the diet of lactating goats without affecting milk
production negatively, and may be an important resource to reduce water intake in dairy
goats.
