Nutritional value of peanut hay at different cutting ages

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the dry matter content in related to the time of dehydration in the shed, the crude protein content, mineral matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid and in vitro digestibility of the legume Arachis pintoi cv. Belmonte, in three cut. The experiment was installed in an area of 0,5 ha-1, already deployed with Arachis pintoi cv. Belmonte at Institute of Animal Science Pastures, Nova Odessa, São Paulo. The experimental design was randomized block design with three replications. The treatments were three cut (30, 60 and 75 days of growth). We evaluated the dry matter content of Arachis pintoi cv. Belmonte, with samples collected at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 24 and 30 hours of dehydration in the shed. Variables neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber increased with advancing age of the plant. There was a decrease in crude protein and mineral matter. The age cut-off had no effect on digestibility in vitro. Increases in dry matter content with increasing age of the cuts, and water loss was more speed in the early hours of dehydration. The legume hay presented great nutritional characteristics, with high crude protein and fiber contents appropriate, being an excellent choice of forage for ruminants, even in the most advanced cutting ages.

Keywords

• Arachis pintoi
• forragem
• nutrição animal