EVALUATION OF MILLET GRAIN (Pennisetun americanum) IN SUBSTITUTION TO CORN IN DAIRY GOAT RATIONS

Abstract

The adoption of a system in de cerrado region, specially in the states of Goiás, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, increased the millet grain and forage production in this region, because of its high biomass production potential, which is used as a soil covering in this system. Besides increasing the grain production, considered as a wastage, the millet has been tested as an ingredient in feed formulation to production animals. This research was carried out in the goat production section of the Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Goiás, and the aim was to evaluate the substitution of corn by millet grain in the rations formulated to dairy goats. Sixteen alpine dairy goats were distributed in Latin square design and alloted in four treatments with increasing levels of substitution: T1 - 0%; T2 - 33%; T3 - 66%; T4 - 99%. The data collected were analysed in ANOVA system that indicated no significant effects (P> 0.05) on milk production , milk fat (M.G), ash (MM), total dry extract (EST), unfatty dry extract (ESD), acidity (AC) and crioscopy (CRIO), except for the milk protein that was linearly affected (P>0.05).

KEY-WORDS: Millet; rations; goats; lactation.