Inclusão da cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum, L.) em substituição à palma forrageira (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm – Dyck) na dieta de ovinos

Abstract

The effects of inclusion of sugarcane in substitution of forage palm (0; 25; 50; 75 and 100%) in sheep diets, on intake and digestibility of nutrients and ingestive behavior were evaluated. Five sheep with no defined racial pattern, with initial body weight and 58.0 ± 6.65 kg, with cannulae in the rumen, were distributed in a 5 x 5 Latin square. Stool collection was performed during three consecutive days to determine the digestibility of DM and nutrients. There was a quadratic effect for dry matter intake (DM) (33.73% - 1,101 kg) and OM (39.38% - 1.010 kg). The PB consumption decreased and there was no effect for the consumption of FDN and MOD. The digestibility of MS decreased linearly (P <0.05), while for the digestibility of MO and PB, there was an increase with the inclusion of sugarcane levels in substitution for forage palm. There was no effect (P> 0.05) for feeding times, while for rumination, a quadratic effect was observed with a maximum of 87.27% of substitution (507.4 min / d -1) and the time spent with activity was reduced (P> 0.05). In order to maximize MS intake, it is recommended to substitute sugar cane palm in 33.73% in diets for sheep.