Productive performance of lambs fed with high-moisture triticale grain ensiled with different additives

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance, nutrient intake, and ingestive behavior of lambs fed high-moisture triticale grain (HMTG) ensiled with different additives. Twenty-four intact male lambs with an initial body weight (BW) of 20.05 ± 2.88 kg were assigned to one of four dietary treatments: silage of HMTG, without additive; silage of HMTG ensiled with enzyme–bacterial additive; silage of HMTG ensiled with 0.5% urea; and silage of HMTG ensiled with 1.5% sodium benzoate. No difference (P > 0.05) was seen in the performance (with an average daily weight gain of 210 g d−1), nutrient intake, or ingestive behavior of the lambs. There was a significant difference in the intake of ether extract according to the additive used in the silage. The highest intake (in relation to metabolic BW) was found for HMTG ensiled with enzyme–bacterial additive: 1.49 g kg−1 BW0.75. The silage of HMTG can be used as a single source of concentrate, aiming at moderate weight gains for feedlot lambs, thus providing an alternative for the conservation of nutritional quality of ensiling without causing changes in the performance of the animals.