Evaluation of Whisky Distillery By‐products V.—Energy value of malt distiller's grains assessed by a modified comparative slaughter technique with lambs

Abstract

AbstractA modified form of the comparative slaughter technique has been used to measure the energy value of well preserved malt distiller's grains (MDG) mixed with dried ground grass and the same grass made into pellets. The mixture contained equal quantities of digestible organic matter as MDG and dried grass, and the energy retention of lambs given either this mixture or pelleted grass was measured for an increase of weight from 30 to 45 kg. Lambs receiving the mixture had a significantly greater (P<0·05) rate of growth than those fed on the grass pellets. On average, the latter animals needed about 25% more metabolisable energy than those givenMDG and dried grass to reach the same slaughter weight. The mean daily intake of energy by the lambs receiving the mixture was 7% higher and their energy retention per unit of metabolisable energy intake was significantly greater (P<0·05)than that of the other animals. The mean efficiency of utilisation of metabolisable energy for fattening was 63·3% for the mixed diet and 50·7% for the pelleted dried grass. The outstanding productive ability of the mixture was thought to be due to a synergistic effect between the two components and dependent upon the well preserved nutritive value of the MDG used.