Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare whole grains of different corn hybrids in the finishing diet of lambs in terms of apparent digestibility, ingestive behavior and feedlot performance. Twenty-four crossbred lambs housed in individual pens were used. The animals were fed 7.35% hay and 92.65% concentrate (dry matter basis) containing 23.05% of a protein supplement plus 69.6% whole corn grains of the hybrids P3862, P4285 or Status for 72 days and were then slaughtered. The final body weight (40.82 kg) or daily weight gain (251 g) did not differ between lambs fed the different hybrids. Daily dry matter intake, expressed as percentage of live weight, was lower in the group fed the Status hybrid and intermediate in the group fed the P3862 hybrid. The Status hybrid resulted in lower digestibility of dietary crude protein, dry matter, and organic matter. There was no difference in hot carcass weight (19.8 kg), hot carcass yield (48.6%) or ingestive behavior between animals fed the different hybrids. Whole grains of the corn hybrids P3862 and P4285 are more indicated for fattening lambs fed with high-concentrate diets.
Highlights
RESUMO – O objetivo foi comparar grãos de diferentes híbridos de milho na dieta de cordeiros quanto à digestibilidade aparente, comportamento ingestivo e desempenho em confinamento
Weight gain or dry matter intake did not differ among treatments, but the ratio of these traits showed that the use of different hybrids altered feed efficiency (Table 2)
An increase in feed efficiency was observed for animals fed the diet containing hybrid P3862, classified as semi-flint
Summary
RESUMO – O objetivo foi comparar grãos de diferentes híbridos de milho na dieta de cordeiros quanto à digestibilidade aparente, comportamento ingestivo e desempenho em confinamento. Whole corn grain can be used in lamb diets, accounting for up to 80% of dry matter (Crane et al, 2014), because this ingredient is more economical, not adding processing expenses, and is more convenient and practical for the producer (Oliveira et al, 2015). In these cases, the corn hybrid used and its nutritional features have an additional economic value since they interfere directly with feedlot profitability. Knowledge of the performance of different corn hybrids used for feeding feedlot animals permits breeders to choose the ideal plant genotype in order to obtain the best economic outcome of their activity
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