Physicochemical and Preference Evaluation of Silages from <i>Cucurbita argyrosperma</i> Huber Residues and Its Effect on the Production and Composition of Milk from Dual-purpose Cows in Campeche, Mexico: Pilot Study

Physicochemical and Preference Evaluation of Silages from <i>Cucurbita argyrosperma</i> Huber Residues and Its Effect on the Production and Composition of Milk from Dual-purpose Cows in Campeche, Mexico: Pilot Study

Laura Patricia Valdez-Arjona, María Esther Ortega-Cerrilla, Silvia Fraire-Cordero, Jesús Arreola-Enríquez, María Magdalena Crosby-Galván, Alvar Alonzo Cruz-Tamayo, Mónica Ramírez-Mella

Livestock systems can contribute to food security by making use of available resources not suitable for human consumption such as Cucurbita argyrosperma Huber residue (CR). The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate preference and physicochemical characteristics of CR silages and their effect on milk production and milk composition from cows in a dual-purpose system in Campeche, Mexico. Three completely randomized experiments were performed. In experiment 1, physicochemical characteristics of four CR plus hay grass silages were evaluated: CR-77, CR-71, CR-65 and CR-59, containing 77%, 71%, 65% and 59% of CR, with 25%, 30%, 35% and 40% of estimated dry matter (DM), respectively. In experiment 2, silages intake preferences were determined in cattle. In experiment 3, the effect of CR silage or corn silage on milk production and milk composition of grazing cows in a dual-purpose system was evaluated. The results in experiment 1 showed that DM content differed between treatments (p < 0.05), ranging from 27.35% (CR-77) to 41.81% (CR-59) and estimated DM was similar to the actual values. pH and temperature were also different (p < 0.05). pH was different between CR-71 (4.01) and CR-59 (4.43), and temperature between CR-77 (28.87 °C) and CR-65 (29.5 °C). Crude protein (CP) was very low in all silages ( 0.05), but differences in DM intake of silages in experiment 3 were observed (p < 0.05). Even with the limitations of this pilot study, it is feasible to produce silages with CR with a good fermentation process as a feeding alternative for cows in a dual-purpose system in Campeche, Mexico.

2020

Cattle, new feedstuffs, pumpkin, ruminant nutrition, vegetable residue

10.3390/su12187757

Sustainability

MDPI AG

Environmental sciences, Environmental effects of industries and plants, Renewable energy sources