Evaluation of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) as forage in a high concentrate total mixed ration on finishing lambs

A study was conducted to compare two total mixed rations with similar level of NDF using cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) or alfalfa as forages, in a high level concentrate rations on (i) growth performance in finishing lambs, (ii) nutrients in vivo digestibility and N and energy balance and (iii) ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid (VFA). The high moisture level of cactus pear limited its incorporation in the ration, which was less than 2% of DM, compared to 12% of alfalfa hay. Average daily gain, dry matter intake, N, energy balance and ruminal pH in lambs fed on a ration containing cactus pear were lower than those fed on alfalfa hay as forage. The inclusion of 1.6% (DM basis) of cactus pear in the ration was not an appropriate level to consider the cactus pear as sole forage source for lambs.