Palma forrageira: cultivo e utilização na alimentação de bovinos

Abstract

This study aimed to review the agronomic characteristics and the use of forage cactus in cattle feed. The palm is a cactaceous of Mexican origin that has good characteristics to adapt to the Brazilian semiarid region due to its peculiar photosynthetic process that prevents excessive water loss by transpiration during the day. Palm tolerate large temperature range for cultivation, with minimum and maximum limits, respectively, 8-31°C. This cactaceous has some restrictions on rainfall to achieve good levels of production with as limiting volumes above 1,089 and below 368.4 mm / year. The implementation of culture should be made at the end of the dry season to avoid rotting of seedlings by high humidity and microbiological contamination. Palm has in your chemical composition, low in protein and soluble fiber, neutral detergent, but is rich in non fibrous carbohydrate with superior value silage corn and sorghum. The palm can be supplied from the chopped fresh cattle to grazing. However, because of the low fiber content, it is recommended to be associated with roughage, especially for high production animals. The spineless cactus is a strategic option for the production of feed for cattle in areas with shortages and irregular rainfall, it has the potential to keep the animal performance in the dry season, since included correctly in cattle diets.