Abstract
SUMMARY Citrus pulp can replace corn in feedlot diets in order to decrease metabolic problems by reducing formation of lactate ruminal. However, while eating, animals can easily select against pelleted citrus pulp due to the greater particle size of the pellet. Therefore, grinding citrus pulp pellet can be an alternative to decrease particle selectivity. This study was realized to evaluate the replacement of ground corn by pelleted citrus pulp and ground citrus pulp on animal performance, sorting index, and feeding behavior of Nellore heifers. Thirty-six Nellore heifers were randomly assigned to three treatments: control diet based on ground corn (GC), partial replacement of GC by ground citrus pulp (GCP), and partial replacement of GC by pelleted citrus pulp (PCP). . Heifers fed with the GC diet had higher final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and dry matter intake (DMI) compared with heifers fed with citrus pulp (P < 0.05). Ground citrus pulp increased DMI and fiber intake compared with the PCP group (P < 0.05). Heifers fed with PCP and GCP sorted for diet particles from 8 to 19 mm and selected particles with less than 1.18 mm (P < 0.05). Thus, the ground citrus pulp is better than pelleted citrus pulp due to higher feed intake and ADG, in consequence of lower selection index.
Highlights
Citrus pulp (CIP) is a high-pectin coproduct available during the dry season
This study was realized to evaluate the replacement of ground corn by pelleted citrus pulp and ground citrus pulp on animal performance, sorting index, and feeding behavior of Nellore heifers
Thirty-six Nellore heifers were randomly assigned to three treatments: control diet based on ground corn (GC), partial replacement of GC by ground citrus pulp (GCP), and partial replacement of GC by pelleted citrus pulp (PCP)
Summary
Citrus pulp (CIP) is a high-pectin coproduct available during the dry season. Citrus pulp is typically used to replace ground corn in feedlot cattle diets, because of lower feeding costs, and because CIP contains low starch and a high amount of pectin, which is a fast rumen degraded. Pelleting is the most common processing method for citrus pulp used in ruminant diets. Citrus pulp contains phenols and condensed tannins, which reduce diet palatability and affect dry matter intake (DMI) (MACÍAS-CRUZ et al, 2010). We hypothezed that grounding the citrus pulp could minimize feed selection, improving animals' feed intake and performance. We aimed at evaluating the replacement of ground corn by citrus pulp, either pelleted (PCP) or ground, on animal performance, feed sorting, and feeding behavior of growing Nellore heifers
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