Effect of formaldehyde-treated barley or escape protein on nutrient digestibility, growth and carcass traits of feedlot lambs

Abstract

One hundred and three lambs were fed three isonitrogenous diets: formaldehyde-treated barley (0.11% wt wt−1) with canola meal; untreated barley with corn distillers' grain and fishmeal (escape protein); and untreated barley with canola meal (control). Formaldehyde treatment did not affect ADG, whereas escape protein increased (P < 0.05) ADG of lambs by 5.3%. Carcass traits of lambs from all diets were similar, although kidney fat was reduced (P < 0.05) in lambs fed formaldehyde-treated barley. A digestibility trial with six lambs (32.6 ± 2.4 kg) showed that DM intake and digestion of DM, organic matter, nitrogen and starch were similar among diets. DE was 3.8% lower (P < 0.05) for the formaldehyde-treated diet than the mean of the other two diets. ME was 5.4% lower (P < 0.07) for the formaldehyde-treated barley than for the control diet. Digestion of NDF was 7.3% higher (P < 0.07) in the escape protein diet compared with the control diet. Treatment of barley with 0.11% (wt wt−1) formaldehyde lowered the DE of barley and did not increase the growth rate or improve the feed efficiency of feedlot lambs. Key words: Sheep, escape protein, fishmeal, formaldehyde, barley