Nitrogen Sources in Spineless Cactus-Based Diets for Sheep in Finishing
Abstract This study evaluated the effect of different sources of nitrogen [soybean meal (SM); cottonseed meal (CM); cottonseed + urea (CU); and urea (U)] associated with spineless cactus on intake, digestibility, performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of confined lambs. Forty male Santa Inês sheep, uncastrated, with initial body weight of 23.00 ± 1.66 kg were distributed in random blocks design and slaughtered after 58 days of confinement. Dry matter (DM) intake (1.16 ± 0.19 kg/day) did not differ (P > 0.05) between nitrogen sources, but the intake of crude protein (CP) and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) was lower (P < 0.05) for sheep consuming CU. Sheep fed with diets containing U had lower digestibility of DM, CP and NFC (P < 0.05). The average daily gain (0.15 ± 0.04 kg/day) and the slaughter body weight (32.07 ± 2.86 kg) did not differ between nitrogen sources, but the cold carcass and loin weight was lower (P < 0.05) for sheep fed with U. The water retention capacity and meat protein content were greater (P < 0.05) for animals fed with SM. Soybean meal or cottonseed meal associated with spineless cactus-based diets for sheep meat production are recommended because it allows greater DM digestibilityand improves carcass characteristics and physicochemical composition of the meat.