Descrição
Mirandesa cattle are a local breed from the Northeast region of Portugal, playing na important role on the maintenance of the rural spaces, contributing to the fixation of the populations ant to the environmental preservation. The aim of this study is to characterize the feed resources available along the year in this farming system. The animals graze natural pastures in Spring and beginning of Summer, being after fed with hays (of natural pasture or oat) and straws (oat, barley or wheat) and complemented with local feeds like squash or potatoes. Samples of feed were taken from three different farms in two consecutive years and analysed for crude protein (CP), cell wall components, minerals and in vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD). Data were evaluated using ANOVA statistical approach. Seasonal variations were observed in natural pastures with decreases of CP from Spring to Summer (16.0 to 9.4% DM) and increases of NDF content from 32 to 41% DM. Consequently a reduction of OMD from 69 to 58% was observed. Regarding hays composition, differences were observed for CP content which was lower for oat hay, compared with that from natural (2.4 vs. 4.6% DM). Straw quality varied between farms and type of straw.