Nutrient intake and utilization in crossbred heifers fed opuntia [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.] supplemented diet

The nutritive value of opuntia [(Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.] as a replacer of conventional green fodder M P Chari in the wheat straw-based diet of crossbred (Tharparkar x Jersey) heifers was assessed. The control diet consisted of chopped (2-5 cm) M P Chari green (8.76 kg) plus 1.61 kg concentrate (T1) and the experimental diet consisted of chopped (5–8 cm) Opuntia cladodes of spineless opuntia (9.24 kg) plus 1.58 kg concentrate (T2), along with wheat straw ad libitum in both groups. DM intake as a percent of body weight or g/kg metabolic body size was similar in both groups, indicating that replacement of MP chari with opuntia did not affect DM intake. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM and CP was lower (p <0.01) in heifers fed opuntia -supplemented diet; however, fiber (NDF and ADF) digestibility was similar in both groups. Digestible dry matter, organic matter, and digestible crude protein intake were significantly (p <0.05) decreased in the treatment group. TDN intake was not affected due to the replacement of MP Chari green with opuntia in the treatment group; however, TDNI(g) per gram of DCP intake was improved significantly (p <0.05) in the treatment group. TDN intake in both groups was sufficient to support a daily gain of 500 g, whereas digestible crude protein intake was sufficient for a gain of 300 g daily. Water intake (lit/d) or (lit/kg DMI) was significantly (p <0.05) higher in the control group than the treated group, indicating that inclusion of opuntia in the diet decreased the water requirement of the heifers. It was evident from the results that opuntia was highly palatable and readily consumed by the animals. Considering the overall performance of the animals in terms of nutrient intake, digestibility, nutrient utilization and water intake, it was concluded that spineless cactus could be a good unconventional and valuable fodder resource for livestock feeding during summer in semiarid conditions.