Abstract
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sorghum silage substitution with different proportions of triticale silage on the performance and carcass of Braford heifers. Twenty-four Braford heifers were randomly assigned to four diets where sorghum silage was replaced at 0%, 30%, 60%, and 100% for triticale silage in a feedlot system. During sixty-tree days of the experiment, the feed intake, feed ratio conversion, and average daily gain were measured. The heifers were slaughtered and the effects of the sorghum and triticale silage in carcass characteristics were evaluated. The replacement of sorghum silage with triticale silage did not affect the feed intake and average daily gain (P> 0.05). Feed gain ratio was higher for the heifers that received lower proportions of triticale silage (0% and 30%) in replace sorghum silage (P <0.05). Eye loin area and fat thickness were similar among treatments (P<0.05). Other carcass characteristics, such as slaughter live weight, dressing percentage, conformation and fat classification were similar among experimental treatments (P<0.005). Triticale silage can replace sorghum silage for finishing beef heifers in feedlot system and provides similar carcass characteristics.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sorghum silage substitution with different proportions of triticale silage on the performance and carcass of Braford heifers
Twenty-four Braford heifers were randomly assigned to four diets where sorghum silage was replaced at 0%, 30%, 60%, and 100% for triticale silage in a feedlot system
Paraná state is the greatest producer of winter cereals in Brazil; there are variations in the growing area, with reductions applied between harvests CONAB (Boletim..., 2020)
Summary
In regions of climatic transition, winters are mild, allowing the growth and development of winter cereals. Paraná state is the greatest producer of winter cereals in Brazil; there are variations in the growing area, with reductions applied between harvests CONAB (Boletim..., 2020). In this context, the permanent growth areas are not used during the winter and can be used for growing crops for silage production, enabling the rational use of soils and providing high-quality nutritional forage for the development of livestock in the region (Bumbieris et al, 2011; Lehmen et al, 2014)
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