The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of a 40% inclusion of broccoli by-product (BB) and artichoke plant (AP) silages in dairy goat diets on the milk yield, composition and animal health status during a full lactation. Feed consumption was lower in AP and BB animals due to their composition and higher moisture content, and BB animals showed a significant reduction in body weight. Milk from the BB treatment had the highest fat content, total solids and useful dry matter content (5.02, 13.9 and 8.39%, respectively). The Se level was slightly lower in AP and BB animals; however, the milk of these treatments was the lowest in Na and, in the case of BB animals, the richest in Ca (1267 mg/kg). Control and AP milk showed a similar fatty acid profile, although AP had a more beneficial aptitude for human health (lower ratio of n6/n3, 12.5). Plasma components, as metabolic parameters, were adequate for goats. It was concluded that a 40% inclusion of AP is an adequate solution to reduce the cost of feeding without harming the animals’ health or performance and to improve the nutritional milk quality. It is necessary to lower the BB level of inclusion to increase feed consumption.

In the Mediterranean region, artichoke and broccoli are major crops with a high amount of by-products that can be used as alternative feedstuffs for ruminants, lowering feed costs and enhancing milk sustainability while reducing the environmental impact of dairy production. However, nutritional quality of milk needs to be assured under these production conditions and an optimal inclusion ratio of silages should be determined. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of three inclusion levels (25%, 40%, and 60%) of these silages (artichoke plant, AP, and broccoli by-product, BB) in goat diets on milk yield, composition, and mineral and fatty profiles. Treatments with 60% inclusion of AP and BB presented the lowest milk yield. No differences were found on the milk mineral profile. Inclusion of AP in the animals’ diet improved the milk lipid profile from the point of view of human health (AI, TI) compared to BB due to a lower saturated fatty acid content (C12:0, C14:0, and C16:0) and a higher concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially vaccenic acid (C18:1 trans11) and rumenic acid (CLA cis9, trans11), without any differences with the control treatment.

The use of agro-industrial by-products in animal feed represents a useful alternative to enhance the sustainability of the agri-food chain. Grape pomace represents an environmental problem mainly for wine-producing countries. Because of the high water content and the seasonality of this feedstuff, ensiling might be a technology to preserve its nutritional quality for a long time, and this must be considered and studied on a commercial scale. This study aimed to characterise the ensiling process of white grape pomace, evaluate its suitability for inclusion in the ruminant diet and compare its shelf life to untreated storage conditions. White grape pomace silos were made with baled silage (300 kg approx.). Samples were analysed at days 0, 7, 14, 35, 60 and 180 of conservation to determine microbial populations, fermentation metabolites, nutritional components and bioactive properties. The collected data were analysed using a general linear model, considering the effect of the treatment, sampling days and their interaction (Proc. GLM, SAS v9.4). White grape pomace showed good suitability for ensiling, and stabilisation was achieved on day 35. The microbial populations and fermentative components observed in silage treatments adhered to the expected standards for high-quality ensiling processes. There were no significant losses of dry matter, and no significant differences were observed in the nutritional composition for ruminant feeding. A small reduction in antioxidant potential was observed and considered irrelevant in terms of the bioactive properties of the silages. Additionally, the cost analysis demonstrated that white grape pomace silage could serve as a more economical feedstuff compared to conventional forages, considering its nutritional value. So, the ensiling of white grape pomace in baled silage is a suitable and cost-effective technique that allows its preservation over a long period.

The aim of this work is to study the effect of 40% inclusion of artichoke by-product silage (AB) in dairy goat diets on milk yield, composition and animal health status during a full lactation period compared to an isoenergetic and isoproteic mixed ration based on alfalfa hay and a cereal and legume mixture. Milk yield was not affected by the dietary treatments, and neither was body weight. AB treatment reduced whey protein (0.38 vs. 0.42%, p < 0.05) and milk urea concentrations (687 vs. 773 mg/L, respectively, p < 0.001), and did not affect total true protein (3.22 vs. 3.24% p > 0.05) or other macro-composition variables. AB treatment showed higher milk concentrations of Ca (p < 0.05), Mn (p < 0.01), Cu (p < 0.01) and Zn (p < 0.001) compared to the control group (C). Slight differences were observed in milk fatty acid profile without any negative effects (p > 0.05) on the blood cholesterol and glucose of goats. The AB group reduced blood urea due to its high dietary total phenol content. However, it had a positive effect on β-hydroxybutyrate (p < 0.05) and nonesterified fatty acids (p > 0.05). It was concluded that 40% artichoke by-product inclusion in dairy goat feed for the whole lactation period (23 weeks) is a sustainable solution, reducing feeding cost by 12.5% per kg of dry matter, contributing to a better circular economy without any negative repercussions on the productivity and health of Murciano–Granadina dairy goats.

The use of local agricultural by-products for animal feed is an alternative that reduces livestock production costs and allows food production of greater environmental sustainability. The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of the inclusion in the dairy goat ration of artichoke by-product silage (ABS) at three levels (25%, 40% and 60%, on a dry matter basis) on the milk yield, composition and quality, and on the metabolic profile of dairy goats. Thirty-six Murciano-Granadina dairy goats in mid-lactation were divided into four groups with homogeneous characteristics. Each group was assigned a diet: a control treatment (C) that consisted of a conventional diet of alfalfa hay and concentrate, and three other treatments that included 25, 40 and 60% ABS: ABS25, ABS40 and ABS60. Small differences were observed in the milk yield and quality and the health status of the animals. Only ABS60 presented a slightly lower milk yield (−20% compared to control group), without relevant differences in the milk composition and mineral profile. Regarding the lipid profile, ABS40 was the treatment with the best milk quality, due to a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (4.37%) and lower atherogenicity (1.90) and thrombogenicity indices (3.05), without differences from C. It was concluded that the maximum inclusion level of ABS in dairy goats’ diet should be equal to 40%.