INFLUENCE OF FEEDING MIXTURE OF TOMATO AND APPLE POMACE SILAGE TO LACTATING GOATS ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE.

SUMMARY
This experimental work was carried out to study the effect of replacing berseem hay with silage prepared from mixture of Tomato and Apple pomace (EMTAP) on digestion coefficients, some blood parameters, milk production and milk composition of lactating goats. Twenty-five lactating goats 2-3 years old and 26.84 kg weight were assigned randomly to five groups(five in each)using a randomized complete block design. Animals fed Berseem hay (BH) plus concentrate feed mixture (CFM). Five levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) of EMTAP used to replace berseem hay during the experiment. The experimental period extended one week postpartum until the fourth month of lactation .Group R1fed ration contained 100% BH plus CFM and served as control, while groupsR2, R3, R4 and R5 fed four levels of EMTAP (25, 50, 75 and 100%), respectively by replacing BH in the ration. Results showed that goats fed R3 diet (50% BH + 50% EMTAP) had significantly (P<0.05) better nutrients digestibility and feeding values compared with control. Significant (P<0.05) increases observed in milk production up to 13.06% and in milk fat yield up to 43.70% for R3 compared with control. Also, R3 recorded the best value of feed conversion and the best relative economic efficiency compared with other experimental groups. Daily gain of kids from birth up to weaning was significantly (P<0.05) higher with R3 than kids fed the other experimental rations.
It conclude that the nutritional value of tomato pomace and apple pomace were markedly improved when mixed together (at ratio 50:50), for making silage. The study conclude that replacement of berseem hay with EMTAP up to 50% in the diets of dairy goats could improve milk yield and composition without any adverse effect on their performance.