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This study aimed to evaluate the nutrient intake, milk production, and production costs of dairy goats fed diets containing the rations with cactus cladodes (Opuntia stricta or Nopalea cochenillifera) associated with silage (Sorghum bicolor) or Tifton hay (Cynodon spp). Twelve pluriparous Saanen and Anglo Nubiana goats (42.25 ± 5.48 kg) at eight weeks of lactation were used. Treatments lasted 60 days, consisting of four periods of 15 days, distributed in three Latin square (4×4) with four diets. The treatments represented by diets with different associated feed: SSOP (Sorghum Silage + Opuntia); THOP (Tifton hay + Opuntia); SSNO (Sorghum Silage + Nopalea); and THNO (Tifton hay + Nopalea), in addition to concentrate in all diets. There were differences (p < 0.05) for the intakes of DM, OM, with higher values observed for goats fed the diets THNO, THOP, and SSNO, and for CP, NDF and ADF were higher for THNO and SSNO diets. Similar behavior occurred for voluntary and total water intake. The milk production and feed efficiency did not differ (p > 0.05). Costs with food, milk revenue, and gross revenue were not influenced by diets (p > 0.05). The Opuntia or Nopalea cactus cladodes genotypes associated with sorghum silage or tifton hay can be used to feed dairy goats in the semiarid region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the nutrient intake and milk production of dairy goats fed with total mixed rations with different species of forage cacti. Five pluriparous Saanen goats (50 ± 4 kg) at nine weeks of lactation were allocated in a Latin square (5 x 5) with five diets and five periods. Each period was composed of 10 days for adaptation and seven days for collection. The treatments were composed of 473.0 to 501.0 g kg-1 of forage cacti: xiquexique (Pilosocereus gounellei), mandacaru (Cereus jamacaru), facheiro (Pilosocereus chrysostele), cactus cladodes cv. miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm-Dyck) and cactus cladodes cv. orelha de elefante mexicana (Opuntia stricta); plus sabiá hay (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia) (188.0 to 198.0 g kg-1) and concentrate (311.0 to 329.0 g kg-1). The intake of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, and water intake through diet components were unaffected by experimental diets. For milk production and feed efficiency, no difference was observed among the diets. All diets containing different species of forage cacti can be used for dairy goats feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]