359 Intake and Growth Performance of Feedlot Lambs Fed Diets with Hi-a and Low-a Corn Cobs and Bermudagrass Hay

Abstract

Abstract Hi-A™ corn is a unique type of lines and hybrids that were developed by the Texas A&M AgriLife Corn Breeding Program and have high anthocyanin and antioxidants. A completely randomized design trial was used to evaluated effects of Hi-A and low-A (regular) corn cobs and bermudagrass hay (BGH) in feedlot diets fed to female Rambouillet lambs (n = 10/treatment), with initial body weight (BW) of 30.7+1.2 kg, on dry matter intake (DMI), BW, average daily gain (ADG), and growth:feed ratio (G:F). After 14 days of adaptation, lambs were individually fed a total mixed ration with 80% concentrate and 20% of one of the roughages (Hi-A, low-A, or BGH) for 63 days. Hay was chopped, while cobs were ground using a hammermill with a 9.52-mm screen. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. The BW was not affected by the diet but increased (P < 0.001) during the trial. Diet did not influence the ADG. However, the ADG was lower (P < 0.001) in the d-42 (0.12 kg/d) than the rest of the trial (0.22 kg/d), after a period of constant high temperatures. The interaction diet vs. day affected (P < 0.05) DMI. In general, lambs increased (P < 0.05) DMI (g/d) and decreased (P < 0.05) relative DMI (%BW) in the final part of the trial, when the animals were getting closer to the harvesting date. Lambs had lower (P < 0.05) DMI of BGH diets than Hi-A diets from d-42 to d-63 and Low-A diets from d-49 to d-56. The G:F ratio was not affected by the diet but decreased (P < 0.05) from the middle to the end of the trial. Corn cobs are valuable as alternative roughage for feedlot lambs, with intake and growth performance comparable to BGH.