Chemical-Bromatological Composition of Fabaceae Hay Native to the Caatinga
Forage Conservation; Ruminants; Nutritional value.
The Northeastern Brazilian Semi-Arid region, characterized by high climatic variability, water deficit, and low fertility soils, poses significant challenges to livestock production. Among the sustainable alternatives to mitigate these impacts, the use of native leguminous species from the Caatinga in the form of hay stands out. This study aimed to assess the chemical and bromatological composition of native Caatinga species (angico, catingueira, canafístula, mororó, and pau-ferro) preserved as hay, with a view to their use in ruminant feeding. The study was conducted in two stages. In the first, species were collected from Caatinga areas in the Semi-Arid region, followed by the hay-making process, which included drying and packaging of the samples. In the second stage, chemical and bromatological analyses were performed to determine crude protein, dry matter, minerals, fiber, and in vitro dry matter digestibility. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using Tukey's test at a 5% significance level. The results showed that the hay-making process increased the stability of the forages, preserving their nutritional value. Species such as canafístula and mororó exhibited high crude protein levels (184.18 g/kg and 125.38 g/kg, respectively) and high digestibility in hay form, indicating their potential as feed supplements. However, a reduction in certain nutrients, such as ether extract, was observed during the drying process. Essential minerals such as calcium and potassium also varied among species, with catingueira and angico being particularly notable. The study concludes that the use of native leguminous species from the Caatinga, preserved as hay, is a viable strategy to improve feed availability during drought periods in the Semi-Arid region. In addition to preserving the nutritional value, these species represent a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for smallholders, contributing to the efficiency and resilience of livestock production systems in the region.