Use of cucumber waste silage as an alternative forage source for sheep

Hassan, Mahmoud ; Rivelli, Inés ; Yáñez-Ruiz, David R. ; Belanche, Alejandro (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Horticultural production in the Mediterranean basin generates considerable quantities of by-products, which, if not valorised, can pose environmental problems. This study evaluated the potential of cucumber–straw silage as an alternative forage for sheep. Eighteen Segureña sheep (10 months old; 30 ± 0.4 kg BW) were allocated to two experimental forages: oats hay (CTL, 985 g/kg DM) or cucumber–straw silage (SIL, 15 g/kg DM). The SIL forage contained more NDF (780 vs. 516 g/kg DM) and less CP (64.9 vs. 82.9 g/kg DM) than CTL. The trial included one week of adaptation with ad libitum feeding followed by two weeks of restricted intake. Measurements during the last week included digestibility, N balance, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites. Results indicated that health status remained unaffected, and DMI was similar under ad libitum feeding. Under restricted intake, SIL-fed sheep displayed slightly higher DMI (+12 %), greater digestible energy intake (+33 %), and higher ruminal acetate (+10 %) and butyrate (+40 %), accompanied by increased blood β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations (+89 %). Despite lower CP intake, SIL-fed animals exhibited higher ruminal iso-acid proportions and blood urea N, suggesting enhanced proteolysis and urea recycling. These compensatory mechanisms resulted in similar ruminal NH3-N levels and microbial protein synthesis across treatments, although N retention and efficiency were significantly lower in the SIL group. In conclusion, SIL represents a feasible energy source for sheep, although its limited protein content may require further N supply in high-yielding ruminants. This silage valorisation could reduce food waste and improve circular agriculture and sustainability in livestock production.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2025.116541

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Animal Feed Science and Technology 330 (2025), 116541 [12 pp.]
ISSN: 0377-8401

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/ 818368/EU/Microbiome Applications for Sustainable food systems through Technologies and EnteRprise/MASTER
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/RYC2019-027764-I/AEI/10.13039/501100011033

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Producción Animal (Dpto. Produc.Animal Cienc.Ali.)