Growing and finishing performance and body composition for St. Croix wethers consuming growing diets differing in grain and protein levels

A Goetsh

doi:10.22358/jafs/69528/1997

Abstract

1. Growing and finishing performance by lambs differing in growth potential consuming diets during growing varying in levels of corn and rumen undegradable protein A.L Goetsch Small Ruminant Research CrossRef

Highlights

Conventional growing-finishing ruminant production systems entail either accelerated programs in which weaned animals, often at a relatively high live weight, consume high concentrate diets until slaughter, or consumption after weaning of forage-based diets preceding concentrate diets
Crude protein supplied by soyabean meal and RUP during growing was similar
Hay intake during growing was greater (P

Summary

Introduction

Conventional growing-finishing ruminant production systems entail either accelerated programs in which weaned animals, often at a relatively high live weight, consume high concentrate diets until slaughter, or consumption after weaning of forage-based diets preceding concentrate diets. The second system is fairly similar in regards to temporal patterns of protein and fat accretion; patterns are more biphasic primarily because of limited energy absorption during the initial growing, forage-based diet phase. With limited fat deposition and perhaps a slight to moderate restriction of protein accretion during this phase, in the latter phase with a high concentrate diet fat constitutes a relatively greater proportion of deposited tissue than with the first type of conventional system. Growth involves coordinated changes in deposition of fat, protein, and ash, rather than being a completely segmented process, in both systems but perhaps to differing degrees protein is deposited primarily in the first phase of the feeding period and fat accumulates in the second

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Discussion

Conclusion