Partial replacement of soybean meal by urea on production and milk physicochemical composition in Saanen goats

Resumo

The effect of the partial replacement of soybean meal by urea in the diet of lactating goats on the dry matter consumption, milk production and physicochemical composition was evaluated. Eight Saanen goats, in an experimental design in Latin square (4 x 4), were used. The urea levels used in experimental diets were 0, 0.8, 1.6 and 2.4% and, soybean meal level were 25, 19, 13 and 7%, respectively. The animals were evaluated in four periods of 15 days, each, and 10 days were used for adapting to diet, and the last five days, to collect data. There was a reduction on the dry matter consumption as the urea level in the diet increased. The average values of acidity, protein, density, total solids, defatted total solids, ash and lactose in milk showed no significant difference (P>0.05) among treatments. However, the fat content presented increasing linear effect (P<0.05). It is recommended the inclusion of up to 1.6% of urea, replace soybean meal in order not to change dry matter intake, milk production and milk composition.