Water Shortage Effects and Utilisation of Prickly Pear Fruit on Growth Performance, Blood Indices, Meat Quality, and Methane Emissions by Pedi Goats

A drop in goat productivity during winter and dry seasons in rural areas due to the unavailability of nutritious feeds is a challenge to farmers. Another challenge is that ruminants produce and emit methane. Ensiled prickly pear fruits are high in secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites in feeds can reduce methane emissions by small ruminants. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of ensiled prickly pear (Opuntia ficus -indica) in diets on growth performance, blood profiles, methane emissions, and meat quality of indigenous male Pedi goats. Aims The project’s main aims were threefold: i. To investigate goat farmers' perceptions of drought impact and local adaptation measures and methane emission mitigation strategies. ii. To determine the chemical characteristics of the prickly pear fruits as potential feed for goats. iii. To evaluate the effect of ensiled prickly pear inclusion in diets on growth performance, blood indices, meat quality , and methane emission by yearling male Pedi goats.