101 The Effects of Olive Pomace As a Wintering Supplement When Analyzing Weight Gain, Consumption Trends, and Costs in Capris Aegagrus Hircus

Abstract In the feeding industry, the cost of feed is one of the highest variables affecting production. A producer's goal is to find a least cost feedstuff that is effective in meeting nutrient requirements of livestock, especially during winter months. A by-product of the olive oil industry, olive pomace, could be considered as a potential livestock feedstuff to be used as an energy supplement since it contains 15% fat, post oil extraction. The objective of this study was to determine at what levels the olive pomace is the most effective in maintaining a healthy weight as well as reducing the cost of feed per animal. Twenty-eight Spanish influence goats were fed (2% of body weight, BW) varying amounts of fermented pomace with a protein pellet to meet maintenance requirements. The four test groups (n = 7) consisted of a 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 olive pomace to feed ratio (O:F) as well as a control containing no pomace. All groups received molasses at 0.5% BW to improve the palatability of the feed and to discourage selective eating of the mixture. The does were fed in herring bone style pens every morning for 49 d. By using ANOVA, a cost efficiency was established. The average daily gain (g/d) for the groups were: 0.0370, 0.0166, 0.0119, and 0.0262 kg/d for the 1:3, 1:1, 3:1 and control groups, respectively (P > 0.88). The lack of statistical difference suggests that pomace can be an effective feed additive to reduce feed costs. A significant difference (P < 0.0001) in consumption rate between treatments was observed with the 3:1 group consuming an average of 0.785 kg/d and the control 0.694 kg/d. Olive pomace can be considered as a cost effective supplement to reduce costs for maintenance rations. Ration costs were formulated at $0.153/kg (3:1 ration) and $0.6386/kg (pelleted control ration). On average, feeding olive pomace can reduce a producer's cost of feed by $13.53 over 49 d maintenance feeding period (P < 0.0001). Further research is needed to determine at what levels the pomace is most effective.