Evaluation of milk production by cows on a diet supplemented with nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) during the dry season

Ruy Ortiz Rodriguez ^[1] ; A. J. J. Valdez-Alarcón ^[2] ; S. P. A. García ^[2] ; Rosa Elena Pérez-Sanchez ^[2]
1. [1] Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit
  
  Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit
  
  México
2. [2] Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo
  
  Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo
  
  México
Localización: Archivos Latinoamericanos de Producción Animal, ISSN 1022-1301, ISSN-e 1022-1301, Vol. 21, Nº. 2, 2013
Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
- Evaluation was made of a bovine milk production system using a total of 11 cows in two groups: G1, which was fed a conventional type diet according to the season of the year –(a) grazing and concentrates during the rainy season, (b) corn stover and concentrates during the dry season; G2- which was fed as in G1 during the rainy season and with the addition of a supplement of cactus pear or nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) at the rate of 1.77 kg of dry matter (14.88 kg of fresh material) daily. Milk production (MP) was measured at 15-d intervals and the resulting data were analyzed using mixed model with repeated measures and minimum least square means methodology. MP was affected by group (P < 0.03) and the interaction of stage of lactation by treatment (P