Effectiveness of using fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) from dragon fruit branches on bach thao meat goats

• Nguyen Van Phu, Dinh Thi Quynh Lien, Phan Thi Tuong Vi, Doan Vinh, Pham Ngoc Thao, Le Hoang Bao Vi, Nguyen Thi Thuy and Dau Van Hai Tác giả

This study, conducted from March 8^th to October 2^nd, 2024, at the Ruminant Research and Development Center-Institute of Animal Sciences for Southern Vietnam, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of incorporating fresh dragon fruit branches (DFB) into fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) for meat goats. A total of 240 Bach Thao meat goats at 5 months old were randomly assigned to three treatments in a randomized complete design with 4 replicates (20 heads per replicate per treatment). Treatment 1: Control (0.3 kg commercial feed + 0.6 kg cassava residue and grass fed ad libitum); treatment 2: using 60% DFB in FTMR (FTMR1); treatment 3: using 70% DFB in FTMR (FTMR2). The results indicated that the FTMR diet containing 60% DFB was the most effective, maintaining the growth performance of the goats comparable to the control group. Additionally, the use of DFB reduced feed costs by 7.03-7.57% per kg of weight gain in Bach Thao goats. This suggests that incorporating DFB into the diet can be a cost-effective strategy without compromising growth performance.