Palm Kernel Cake in Diets for Lactating Goats: Intake, Digestibility, Feeding Behavior, Milk Production, and Nitrogen...

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Ruminant Nutrition
• Goat Production

Background:

• Palm kernel cake (PKC) is a byproduct of palm oil extraction.
• Its use in animal feed is explored for economic and nutritional reasons.
• Understanding optimal inclusion rates is crucial for sustainable livestock farming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal inclusion rate of palm kernel cake (PKC) in lactating goat diets.
• To evaluate the effects of varying PKC levels on intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, milk production, and nitrogen metabolism.
• To provide feeding recommendations for lactating goats based on PKC inclusion.

Main Methods:

• A 4x4 Latin square design with triplicate trials was used.
• Twelve lactating goats (Saanen and Anglo Nubian) were fed diets with 0, 80, 160, or 240 g/kg dry matter (DM) of PKC.
• Measurements included feed intake, nutrient digestibility, feeding behavior, milk yield and composition, and nitrogen balance.

Main Results:

• Dry matter, crude protein, NDF, and NFC intakes decreased with increasing PKC levels.
• Milk production and milk protein content significantly decreased with PKC inclusion.
• Feeding and rumination efficiencies were reduced, while milk fat and total solids showed quadratic responses.
• Nitrogen excretion decreased, and nitrogen retention was reduced with higher PKC inclusion.

Conclusions:

• Increasing palm kernel cake (PKC) levels in lactating goat diets reduces nutrient intake and milk production.
• A moderate inclusion rate of up to 80 g/kg DM is suggested to avoid significant negative impacts.
• Further research may explore strategies to improve the utilization of PKC in goat diets.