Uso de espécies da caatinga na alimentação de rebanhos no município de São João do cariri - PB

Abstract

Our purpose was to make a survey of the plant species of the caatinga used for feeding livestock, the type of food offered to support animals in the dry season, the occurrence of food storage and reduction of livestock in the dry season. Questionnaires were applied to the rural population of São João do Cariri - PB and a map of the farms was made. It was evident that most properties have low breeding indexes, with small flocks of cattle, sheep and goats reared extensively in the caatinga. The species Pilosocereus gounellei, Opuntia palmadora, Cereus jamacaru and Manihot glaziovi are most commonly used for feeding cattle, and they are given in natura and in the conserved form for the animals.