Quality of Forage Cactus Silage with the Addition of Hay from Forages Adapted to the Semiarid Region

This study investigated the effects of including hays from different forages adapted to the semiarid region on the forage cactus ( Opuntia fícus‐indica (L.) Mill) silage quality. A completely randomized design, with five treatments was used: pure forage cactus and forage cactus associated with 30% hay from gliricidia ( Gliricidia sepium ), pornunça ( Manihot spp.), pigeon pea ( Cajanus cajan ), and silk flower ( Calotropis procera ). Adding hays reduced gas and effluent losses ( p < 0.01), improved dry matter (DM) recovery (around 97% vs. 63% in pure forage cactus; p < 0.01), and reduced the pH (4.26–4.68 vs. 5.30; p < 0.01). The chemical composition improved, with higher DM ( p < 0.01), crude protein ( p < 0.01), and total digestible nutrients ( p = 0.02) contents. The in situ degradability of DM varied by hay type: Silk flower showed the highest potential and effective degradability at all passage rates, while pigeon pea had the lowest. The inclusion of hays adapted to the semiarid region enhanced the fermentative stability, nutritional value, and digestibility of forage cactus silage. Among the tested additives, silk flower and gliricidia were the most effective in improving silage quality and preservation.