Effect of total replacement of soybean meal and corn on the in vivo digestibility and nitrogen balance of Sicilo-Sarde rams

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of replacing corn and soybean meal by triticale, faba bean and field pea on apparent digestibility of nutrient and nitrogen balance of Sicilo Sarde rams. Six rams were fed in a Latin Square design with 1.8 kg DM/day of oat hay + 500 g DM/d of one of three concentrates: soybean meal mainly composed by soybean meal and corn; faba bean composed by triticale and faba bean; and field pea concentrate composed by triticale and field pea. Rams were maintained into metabolic cages for 10 days adaptation, followed by five sampling days. Feed intake was recorded daily. Total feces and urine were collected and measured. The dry matter, organic matter and nitrogen intake were not influenced by the total replacement of soybean meal and corn. Apparent digestibility of dry and organic matter was significantly improved with field pea concentrate than with other concentrates. Nitrogen apparent digestibility and faecal nitrogen remained statistically non-significant. The rejected nitrogen in urine was significantly higher for faba bean concentrate than field pea and soybean meal concentrates, with averages about 9.68, 8.83, 8.86 g/d respectively. While, lower nitrogen balance was observed in faba bean concentrate (4.70 g/d) than the field pea (6.33 g/d) and soybean meal (6.47 g/d) concentrates respectively. These data indicated that the substitution of soybean meal and corn by triticale, faba bean and field pea can improve nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance parameters in Sicilo-Sarde rams.