Influence of forage-to-concentrate ratios on intake, digestibility, chewing, and milk production of dairy goats

J. R. Kawas, J. Lopes, D. L. Danelon, and C. D. Lu

Lactating Saanen × Marota dairy goats in a 3 × 3 Latin square designed exerpiment were studied for the effects of forage-to-concentrate ratios on intake, digestibility, chewing activities, milk production, and contents. Treatments were isonitrogenous diets of Cunha (Clitoria ternatea) silage and cassava (Manihot esculenta) meal with forage-to-concentrate ratios of 75:25, 60:40, or 45:55, respectively. Intake of dry matter (g/day and g/kg BW^0.75) increased with a decrease in forage-to-concentrate ratio. Digestibility of dry matter increased while that of neutral detergent fiber decreased as forage-to-concentrate ratio decreased. Chewing efficiency (min/g NDF per kg BW^0.75) decreased as forage-to-concentrate ratio decreased. Milk production was not affected by the forage-to-concentrate ratios. Milk fat contents (%) were 3.6, 3.3, and 2.9 for forage-to-concentrate ratios 75:25, 60:40, and 45:55, respectively. Body weight changes appeared to be negatively correlated to forage-to-concentrate ratios.