Black acacia and its potential as feed for ruminants

Abstract

Acacia is the largest genus of flowering plants in Australia, occurring in all terrestrial habitats. Black acacia (Acacia mearnsii De Wild) is adapted to different geographical areas of the world. Its forage can be used in the feeding of ruminants using different alternatives (hay, silage, silvopasture, protein bank, meal or fresh forage) to reduce costs of low and medium-scale livestock farming. The present work is a descriptive-analytical review of the available scientific literature with the purpose of contributing to the update on the potential of Acacia negra as feed for ruminants. The methodology consisted in the compilation of scientific articles and publications of scientific, academic and technological institutions on the object of study. The results focused on: Origin and distribution, Taxonomy and plant characteristics, Crop characteristics, Forage production, Nutritive value and Effects of forage consumption in ruminants. The review concluded that A. mearnsii adapts to diverse ecosystems and under low-input conditions shows rapid growth and acceptable forage production, which, together with its protein content, make it an option for small and medium producers. This allows lowering production costs by reducing the consumption of concentrates or alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), without affecting production yields, mainly due to its high tannin content (main secondary metabolite), which favors the flow of amino acids from the diet from the rumen to the duodenum, among other beneficial effects on animal health and reproduction.