Abstract
Simple SummaryImproving the economic benefits and precise nutrient supply are hotspots of the sheep breeding industry. Evaluation of the production performance, the rumen fermentation, and blood metabolism indexes found that replacement of soybean meal with distillers dried grains with solubles in a diet with adequate metabolizable protein and amino acids (lysine and methionine) could maintain the normal growth performance of Hu sheep. The comprehensive evaluation results provide a reference for reducing production costs, improving production efficiency, and decreasing the nitrogen excretion of the sheep breeding industry. Besides, the study will help in the development of low-protein diets with amino acid balance for sheep.(1) Background: we investigated the influence of dietary soybean meal (SBM) replaced with distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) plus rumen-protected (RP) lysine and methionine on the growth performance, nutrients digestion, rumen fermentation, and serum parameters of Hu sheep. (2) Methods: ninety Hu sheep were allocated to five groups: the control group (CON) which received the SBM diet, the DDGS group (NSM), the DDGS diet with RP lysine group (DRPL), the DDGS diet with RP methionine group (DRPM), and the DDGS diet with a mixture of RP lysine and methionine group (DRPLM). (3) Results: Final BW and carcass weight of the DRPLM and CON groups were greater (p ≤ 0.05) compared to NSM, DRPL, and DRPM groups. The DRPLM group tended to increase the dry matter intake (DMI, p = 0.06), average daily gain (ADG, p = 0.06), dressing percentage (p = 0.07), and tail fat weight (p = 0.09). The DRPLM group had increased (p ≤ 0.05) apparent digestibility and had altered ruminal fermentation characteristics. (4) Conclusions: replacement of SBM with DDGS in a diet with adequate metabolizable protein and by-pass amino acids (lysine and methionine) could maintain the growth performance of Hu sheep.
Highlights
Final BW of the DRPLM group was increased (p ≤ 0.05) compared to NSM, diet with RP lysine group (DRPL), and diet with RP methionine group (DRPM) groups, but no difference was observed compared to control group (CON)
The carcass weight of the DRPLM group was increased (p ≤ 0.05) compared to NSM, DRPL, and DRPM groups, but no difference was observed compared to CON (p > 0.10)
The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) apparent digestibility in the DRPLM group was increased (p ≤ 0.05) compared to NSM and DRPM groups, but no difference was observed compared to CON and DRPM
Summary
With the continuous increase of feeding costs and the attention of environmental protection issues, the optimal utilization of nutrients has become a top priority. The protein ingredients are the most expensive part of the diet. Inefficient utilization of excess dietary protein in ruminants leads to an unnecessary metabolic burden, environmental pollution, and increased cost of feeding [1]. It is necessary to optimize the utilization of protein ingredients for efficient animal production
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