The effect of different cactus forage cultivars upon the productive performance of 5/8 Holstein/Zebu dairy cows was studied. A latin square design was used in an alternative assay distribution, with three squares and three periods of 28 day each. The treatments were constituted of the cactus cultivars "Redonda", "Gigante" and "Miúda". A few variations in the chemical composition were observed among cactus cultivars. No differences were observed as for fresh cactus forage and corn stalks intake, and dry matter intake, among the animal fed different cactus cultivars, with 54.21, 7.91, and 9.04 kg/day, respectively. Also, no difference was observed for milk yield, 4% corrected fat milk yield and dry matter intake per milk yield. The data suggested that crossbred dairy cows could be fed with different cactus forage cultivars, without reducing their productive performance.
chemical composition; cultivars; milk production
