Tomato Residue Silage as a Sustainable Feed for Lambs with Implications for Performance, Water Use and Meat Quality

Adson Moreira da Silva, José Reinaldo Mendes Ruas, Loren Ketlyn Fernandes Vieira, Flávio Pinto Monção, Laura Lúcia dos Santos Oliveira, Maria Izabel Batista Pereira, Edson Marcos Viana Porto, Aline Vieira Landim and Fredson Vieira e Silva ()
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Adson Moreira da Silva: Department of Agricultural Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Reinaldo Viana Street, Janaúba 39448-524, Minas Gerais, Brazil
José Reinaldo Mendes Ruas: Department of Agricultural Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Reinaldo Viana Street, Janaúba 39448-524, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Loren Ketlyn Fernandes Vieira: Department of Agricultural Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Reinaldo Viana Street, Janaúba 39448-524, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Flávio Pinto Monção: Department of Agricultural Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Reinaldo Viana Street, Janaúba 39448-524, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Laura Lúcia dos Santos Oliveira: Department of Agricultural Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Reinaldo Viana Street, Janaúba 39448-524, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Maria Izabel Batista Pereira: Department of Agricultural Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Reinaldo Viana Street, Janaúba 39448-524, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Edson Marcos Viana Porto: Department of Agricultural Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Reinaldo Viana Street, Janaúba 39448-524, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Aline Vieira Landim: Department of Animal Science, Center of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Vale do Acaraú State University (UVA), Sobral 62040-370, Ceará, Brazil
Fredson Vieira e Silva: Department of Agricultural Sciences, State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Reinaldo Viana Street, Janaúba 39448-524, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-17

Abstract: Feed and water scarcity are major challenges for the sustainability of livestock production, particularly in semi-arid regions with structural limitations in resource availability. In this context, the valorization of agro-industrial by-products contributes to circular agriculture, reduces waste, and promotes more efficient resource use, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This study evaluated the inclusion of partial mixed tomato residue (PMR) silage in sheep diets and its effects on productive performance, total water intake, and meat quality. Eighteen ewe lambs were assigned to two groups: control (concentrate and deferred pasture) and PMR (tomato residue silage and deferred pasture). The PMR silage had a pH of 3.97 and was mainly characterized by lactic and acetic acids, with minor amounts of propionic and butyric acids. The butyric acid concentration (8.9 g kg −1 DM) slightly exceeded the recommended threshold (0.5% DM), suggesting some clostridial activity but remaining below levels associated with severe deterioration. Animals fed PMR silage showed a 36% higher dry matter intake ( p = 0.001), with greater intake of total digestible nutrients and fiber. This translated into a 54% higher average daily gain ( p = 0.02) and an 11% greater final body weight compared with the control group ( p = 0.02). Dietary water intake was also higher in the PMR group, reducing direct water consumption from drinkers by 38% ( p < 0.001). Meat quality parameters were unaffected by the diet. Pesticide residue screening by LC-MS/MS revealed no detectable levels of abamectin, cymoxanil, chlorothalonil, difenoconazole, or mancozeb in silage. In meat samples, only chlorothalonil was tested and it was not detected. However, the use of PMR silage increased direct energy demand due to transport and compaction, while feeding costs per unit of weight gain were reduced. Overall, PMR silage proved to be a safe, fermentatively stable, and effective feeding alternative that enhances performance, reduces direct water intake, and maintains meat quality, representing a viable strategy for small ruminant production in water-limited regions.

Keywords: circular agriculture; partial mixed silage; pesticides; sheep; sustainability; water (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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