Performance and carcass traits of lambs fed diets containing different cereal grains

Authors

  • Marília Pastro Vidal Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Pirassununga, SP
  • Angélica Simone Cravo Pereira Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Pirassununga, SP
  • Márcia Marise de Freitas Cação Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Assis, SP
  • Saulo da Luz e Silva Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Pirassununga
  • Wignez Henrique Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Assis, SP
  • Ingrid Harumi de Souza Fuzikawa Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Assis, SP
  • Gabriela Aferri Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Assis, SP

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17523/bia.v73n2p134

Keywords:

corn, feedlot, meat, millet, sheep, sorghum.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, apparent digestibility, and carcass and meat traits of lambs fed high-concentrate diets (92.65%) containing different cereal grains (ground corn, whole grain corn, whole grain sorghum, or replacement of 40% whole grain corn with whole grain millet). Twenty-four feedlot intact lambs of undefined breed, with a body weight of 22.35 ± 3,.71 kg, kept in individual pens for 56 days were allocated in a completely randomized design. Dry matter intake expressed as a percentage of body weight was higher (P=0.0046) for the diets containing sorghum and ground corn (3.73% and 3.39%, respectively) compared to the diets containing millet and whole grain corn (3.23% and 3.13%, respectively). Feed efficiency was higher (P=0.014) for whole grain corn and millet (0.293 and 0.269, respectively) and lower for ground corn and sorghum (0.247 and 0.226, respectively). The apparent digestibility of organic matter, dry matter and crude protein was lower for the sorghum diet (P=0.0003). The carcass traits, meat cuts traits or objective longissimus muscle tenderness were not influenced by the diets offered to the animals. Meat color (P<0.0001) and luminosity (P=0.0063) were improved with inclusion of whole grains. The use of whole corn and millet grains is recommended for the feeding of feedlot lambs considering their nutritional benefits, feed efficiency, and improved carcass traits and meat quality attributes. 

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Published

2016-06-29

Issue

Section

ANIMAL NUTRITION

How to Cite

Performance and carcass traits of lambs fed diets containing different cereal grains. (2016). Bulletin of Animal Husbandry, 73(2), 134-142. https://doi.org/10.17523/bia.v73n2p134

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