161 The effect on ADG, DMI, and blood metabolites of weaned Katahdin lambs offered chelated mineral with Ascophyllum nodosum on a high forage diet

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effects of Katahdin wethers supplemented with mineral product including Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed on a 100% forage feedlot diet. Twenty-three Katahdin wethers (24.930.59 kg) post-weaning were divided into a treatment group of 12 wethers and a control group of 11 wethers, in which both were fed an ad libitum diet of mixed alfalfa-Bermuda forage. The treatment group was supplemented with the chelated mineral with seaweed. The control group was supplemented with a non-chelated Cal Phos product without seaweed. To determine mineral absorption, 4 wethers from each group had blood metabolites analyzed for copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc via jugular pulls at weeks 0, 4 and 8 weeks. DMI was determined by group on a daily basis, and ADG was calculated. Forage samples were collected 2x week for dry matter analysis then compiled by week and analyzed for NDF, ADF, EE, and CP. Data was analyzed via SAS using a randomized block design. There were no significant differences in blood mineral levels between the two groups or between weeks; both groups displayed adequate or normal blood metabolite levels. Carcass data was collected after 77 days and is pending analysis. DMI was significantly higher (18.620.11 vs 20.610.11; P < 0.0001) in the treatment group, as was the BW (kg) of the treatment group (29.310.52 vs 31.110.52; P = 0.02). ADG was not significantly different (0.210.009 vs 0.220.009; P = 0.18) and efficiency (ADG/DMI) was not significantly different (0.010.001 vs 0.010.001; P = 0.95). Overall, the increase in ADG and BW in 8 week feed-out suggests that the lambs in the treatment group had performance benefits from the supplementation of the chelated mineral with seaweed. The shortened finishing time supplementing chelated mineral with seaweed is economical for producers; however, a study using traditional finishing diets is needed to confirm results.