(Photograph = Goats eating prickly pear)

Introduction

Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia species) is an important natural resource in arid parts of the world. It is adapted to low water availability and poor soils.

The Details

Traditionally, prickly pear cactus has been used as fruit, vegetable and forage. Prickly pear cactus may be used as forage for goats, but this is variable and depends upon the history of the land as well as the natural availability of prickly pear.

Prickly pear may provide over 35% of the daily crude protein requirements for goats in some situations.

Additional Reading: Feeding Prickly Pear to Goats