Carcass Traits Of Lambs Research Articles

Effect of ensiling gliricidia with cassava on silage quality, growth performance, digestibility, ingestive behavior and carcass traits in lambs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ensiling gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium Jacq.) with cassava on silage quality as well as the growth performance, digestibility, ingestive behavior and carcass traits in lambs. Gliricidia was ensiled with cassava leaves at varying proportions of inclusion (0, 200, 400 and 600 g/kg) for 75 days and fed as a total mixed ration (TMR) at 700 g/kg, while a concentrate mixture was fed at 300 g/kg to 32 castrated Santa Ines crossbred lambs with an average weight of 18.9 ± 2.0 kg. The pH, N-NH3, density, butyric and acetic acid contents and dry matter losses (DML) of the gliricidia silages decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with cassava inclusion, but there was a linear increase (P < 0.05) in the contents of dry matter (DM), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), total carbohydrates (TC), and lactic and propionic acids. Including cassava leaves in the gliricidia silage increased (P < 0.05) the intake (g/d) of DM, CP, EE, NDFap and NDFap (%BW) by the lambs, but there was no effect on the digestibility of DM, CP, EE, and NDFap or the time spent feeding, ruminating, idling and chewing. There was a slight tendency toward a quadratic increase in the NFC digestibility coefficient (P = 0.084). The inclusion of cassava leaves in the gliricidia silage linearly increased (P < 0.05) the final weight, total weight gain, average daily gain, and hot and cold carcass weights of the lambs, but there was no influence on the carcass traits (P > 0.05). However, the weights of the commercial cuts and non-carcass components linearly increased (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of 600 g/kg of cassava in the gliricidia silage. Therefore, it is recommended to combine gliricidia with 600 g/kg of cassava leaves to improve the fermentation pattern and chemical composition of gliricidia-cassava silage, and offering the silage in lamb diets increases the nutrient intake, performance, morphometric measurements and carcass and non-carcass components as well as the yields of both prime commercial cuts, such as the loin and ham, and typical foods, such as sheep "buchada".

Effects of soybean silage on feeding behavior, performance, and meat quality of lambs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, feeding behavior, carcass traits, and meat quality of feedlot lambs using 2 types of silage, sorghum or soybean. Twenty-eight male non-castrated market lambs weighting 20 ± 2 kg were used. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The animals were slaughtered after 50 days of experiment, with 32.13 ± 5.09 kg of body weight. Lambs fed with soybean silage showed increased time for feed intake (P = 0.01). There was no difference for allowed daily gain, dry matter intake, feed conversion, and carcass traits between diets. Meat from lambs fed with soybean silage showed decreased shear force (P = 0.001) compared to sorghum silage, with no differences (P > 0.05) for chemical composition, color, and cooking loss. The intake of sorghum silage increased (P < 0.05) C6:0, C16:0, C20:0, C14:1, and C16:1 fatty acids content of Longissimus lumborum intramuscular fat. The intake of soybean silage showed an increased (P < 0.05) content of C18:1ω9t, C18:2ω6c, and sum of ω6 fatty acids. The feed cost and profit from the use of sorghum and soybean silage were US$ 0.12 and US$ 0.13/Lamb/d, US$ 16.68 and US$ 16.97/Lamb, respectively. The use of soybean silage provides the same performance and carcass traits of lambs compared with sorghum silage, and it shows the benefit of decrease shear force and the proportion of hypercholesterolemic fatty acids C16:0 and C16:1.

Effects of pelleting diets containing cereal ergot alkaloids on nutrient digestibility, growth performance and carcass traits of lambs

The effects of pelleting feed containing cereal ergot alkaloids was evaluated in performance and nutrient digestibility trials using growing lambs. Defined concentrations of ergot alkaloids [Control (C), no added alkaloids but background concentrations of ∼3 ppb; Low (L),∼169 ppb; High (H),∼433ppb] were achieved by substituting barley grain for ergot-contaminated screenings containing (fed basis) approximately 538g/kg barley grain, 300g/kg alfalfa and 160g/kg canola meal. Diets were fed either as a mash or as a completely pelleted feed. Total alkaloid concentrations did not differ between corresponding mash and pelleted diets, but ergotamine and ergosine were 2–3 times greater in mash feeds, while ergocornine, ergocristine and ergometrine were 2–3 times greater in pelleted diets. The total collection digestibility experiment used 12 ram lambs in a crossover design with 3 experimental periods. Alkaloid dose did not affect digestibility of DM, OM, or CP, but NDF and ADF digestibilities were linearly reduced (P<0.05) with increasing alkaloid dose. Alkaloid concentrations in feces depended upon the specific type of alkaloid measured. In preliminary results, ergocristine and ergotamine were the only alkaloids in higher concentrations (P<0.001) in feces from lambs fed H as compared to C diets. In the growth experiment, ram and ewe lambs (live weight 24.6±1.08kg) were randomly assigned to diets, weighed weekly and fed to a slaughter weight of ≥45kg. Dietary treatments did not affect carcass characteristics, although serum prolactin concentration was linearly reduced (P<0.001) by increasing alkaloid dosage and was lower (P=0.01) in lambs fed mash as compared to pelleted diets. Although pelleted diets had total alkaloid concentrations that were similar to mash diets, lambs fed pelleted diets had 60g/d greater (P<0.001) ADG than those fed mash diets. For H diets, lambs had lower ADG and feed conversion (P=0.03) than those fed C or L, Based on the results of this study, pelleting diets reduced negative impacts of ergot alkaloids possibly by changing alkaloid profiles.

Performance, nutrient digestibility, and quantitative carcass traits of lambs fed sunflower seeds and vitamin E

The aim of this study was to evaluate performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass quantitative traits of lambs fed diets with and without sunflower seeds and vitamin E. Thirty-two uncastrated lambs at approximately 60 days of age, with 15 ± 0.2 kg, were housed in individual stalls and slaughtered at 32.0 ± 0.2 kg body weight. Treatments consisted of the following four diets: C = sugarcane + concentrate; CS = sugarcane + concentrate with sunflower seeds; CE = sugarcane + concentrate with 1,000 mg vitamin E kg-1 diet dry matter (DM); and CSE = sugarcane + concentrate with sunflower seeds and 1,000 mg vitamin E kg-1 diet DM. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (with and without sunflower seeds and with or without vitamin E, on the diet DM basis), and means were compared by Tukey’s test at 5% significance level. Consumption of vitamin E intake by the lambs provided (P &amp;lt; 0.05) the highest ether extract intake (20.91 g day-1) and consequently the highest (P &amp;lt; 0.05) digestibility of this nutrient (85.34%); however, it reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.05) the intakes of total carbohydrates (394.81 g day-1) and non-fibrous carbohydrates (242.47 g day-1) as a direct consequence of the diet composition. Inclusion of sunflower seeds and vitamin E in the lamb diets did not influence (P &amp;gt; 0.05) carcass morphological or quantitative measurements. Sunflower seeds and vitamin E showed to be satisfactory alternatives for inclusion in the concentrate for feedlot lambs, providing good performance and quality carcasses.

Feed intake, liveweight gain and carcass traits of lambs offered pelleted annual pasture hay supplemented with flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) flakes or algae (Schizochytrium sp.)

In southern Australia, pastures comprised of annual ryegrass may not meet the nutritional requirements of fast-growing (&gt;250 g/day) lambs in summer–autumn (December–May). An animal house experiment was conducted from March to July 2010 to investigate the use of flaxseed and algae as two potential supplements to improve feed intake, liveweight gain and carcass traits in lambs. One hundred and twenty lambs (in two groups of 60) were fed one of four diets, pelleted annual pasture hay (subterranean clover and annual ryegrass) (T1); pelleted annual pasture hay + flaxseed flakes (T2); pelleted annual pasture hay + algae supplement (T3); pelleted annual pasture hay + flaxseed flakes + algae supplement (T4). All diets were provided on an ad libitum basis with individual feed intake measured daily and liveweight recorded weekly. Lambs offered the flaxseed flakes (T2) treatment grew faster (P &lt; 0.05), had heavier (P &lt; 0.05) carcass weights and greater (P &lt; 0.05) GR fat depth (total tissue depth at 11th/12th rib, 110 mm away from midline) than lambs offered the T1 diet. Lambs offered algae supplement (T3) had lower dry matter intake but growth rate and carcass weight were not affected compared with lambs offered the T1 diet. Lambs offered both flaxseed flakes and algae supplement (T4) had greater (P &lt; 0.05) GR fat than lambs offered the T1 diet. This experiment provides evidence that supplementing growing lambs with flaxseed flakes can increase dry matter intake, growth rate and GR fat depth. In contrast, supplementing with an algae supplement reduced dry matter intake but growth rate and carcass weight were similar to the control treatment.

The effect of forage type on lamb carcass traits, meat quality and sensory traits

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different forage-types on lamb carcass, meat quality and sensory attributes. Sixty-two, White Dorper lambs finished on bladder clover, brassica, chicory+arrowleaf clover, lucerne+phalaris or lucerne, were slaughtered at a commercial abattoir. At 24h post-mortem, the m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LL) was removed from the left side and sliced into three equal sub-samples, vacuum packaged and randomly assigned to ageing periods (5, 12 or 40days) and the right side was aged for 5days. The m. semimembranosus and m. adductor femoris were removed and, the former was then aged for 40days. Lambs fed chicory+arrowleaf clover or lucerne had a higher dressing percentage and fat depth. Bladder clover gave the highest level of glycogen in the LL. No sensory or other meat quality trait differences were found between the treatments. In general, no treatments showed any unfavourable effect on the traits examined.

Effect of Feeding Castor Seed Cake Based Diets on Growth, Nutrient Utilization, Immune Response and Carcass Traits in Lambs

Effect of Feeding Castor Seed Cake Based Diets on Growth, Nutrient Utilization, Immune Response and Carcass Traits in Lambs

The estimation of (co)variance components growth, reproduction, carcass, FECS and FECN traits in Lleyn sheep

Genetic parameters for weaning live weight and ultrasound scanning measurements were estimated from performance recorded UK Lleyn sheep. The data for the study were collected from conventional hill and low land farming systems. The data were from 48,277 lambs. Genetic parameters were estimated using uni- and bivariate animal models for weight at birth (BWT), live weight at 8 weeks (8WK), ultrasound scanning at 21 weeks of age (SWT) and weight at tupping (MW), ultrasound scanned muscle (MD) and fat (FD) depth measured at 21 weeks of age, litter size born (LSB), litter size reared (LSR), faecal egg count for strongyle (FECS) and nematodes (FECN). Maternal genetic effects were fitted for BWT, and 8WK. Direct heritability estimates were 0.14±0.01 for BWT, 0.35±0.02 for 8WK, 0.46±0.01 for SWT, 0.31±0.01 for MD, 0.38±0.01 for FD, 0.38±0.01 for MW, 0.22±0.09 for FECS and 0.16±0.10 for FECN. Maternal heritability estimates were 0.14±0.01 for BWT and 0.11±0.01 for 8WK. Direct genetic correlations among studied traits ranged from −0.05 (MW–FD) to 0.90 (SWT–8WK). Phenotypic and environmental correlation estimates were generally lower than those of genetic correlation. Our results indicate that the genetic parameters generated in this study could be used in selection index calculations to asses the benefits of including lamb carcass traits in future selection programmes for Lleyn sheep. Also, this study provides valuable information in terms of genetic parameters for growth and carcass traits which can be used for genetic evaluation and in designing selection programmes for the Lleyn breed.

Genetic parameters for lamb carcass traits assessed by video image analysis, EUROP classification and in vivo measurements

The heritability of yield predictions obtained from video image analysis (VIAscan®) of lamb carcasses (n=18,680) and EUROP classes obtained by abattoir assessors (n=26,795) was estimated, as well as the genetic and phenotypic correlations between VIAscan® traits and in vivo lamb traits (n = 9,930), including ultrasonic measurements, visual conformation score and length of the cannon bone. The main objective of the study was to test the equivalence of EUROP classes obtained by VIAscan® and visual scoring as selection criteria in the breeding work. Genetic correlations between EUROP scores from VIAscan® and from abattoir assessors were 0.94 for conformation and 0.82 for fat score. The heritability of conformation score was 0.32 and 0.35 based on VIAscan® and visual scoring, and 0.29 and 0.31 for the fat score, respectively. Yield predictions as proportions of lean meat of carcass weight from VIAscan® were highly heritable, h 2 ranging from 0.39 to 0.63. Lean meat yield (LMY) estimated as lean weight in major cuts had a direct heritability ranging from 0.17 to 0.21, maternal heritability ranging from 0.09 to 0.11 and a common environmental (c 2 ) effect of 0.22-0.23. Lean meat yield of the whole carcass (LMY_%) had the highest genetic correlation to visual leg score (0.44) while correlations between lean yield of three carcass parts (LegY_%, LoinY_% and ShoulderY_%) and in vivo measurements were low to moderately high and favourable except for loin yield. The EUROP scores obtained by both methods had similar genetic and phenotypic correlations to in vivo traits where conformation scores were highly correlated to visual scores for legs and shoulders and ultrasonic muscle measurements and fat scores were positively correlated to ultrasonic fat measurements and shoulder scores. It is concluded that VIAscan® can be used as a grading tool for the Icelandic sheep industry and measurements of carcass traits obtained from the system would be useful in the national sheep breeding program.

Genetic variation in the ovine uncoupling protein 1 gene: association with carcass traits in New Zealand (NZ) Romney sheep, but no association with growth traits in either NZ Romney or NZ Suffolk sheep.

The uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) plays an important role in the regulation of lipolysis and thermogenesis in adipose tissues. Genetic variation within three regions (the promoter, intron 2 and exon 5) of the ovine UCP1 gene (UCP1) was investigated using polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analyses. These revealed three promoter variants (designated A, B and C) and two intron 2 variants (a and b). The association of this genetic variation with variation in lamb carcass traits and postweaning growth was investigated in New Zealand (NZ) Romney and Suffolk sheep. The presence of B in a lamb's genotype was associated with decreased subcutaneous carcass fat depth (V-GR) (p=0.004) and proportion of total lean meat yield of loin meat (p=0.005), and an increased proportion of total lean meat yield of hind-leg meat (p=0.018). In contrast, having two copies of C was associated with increased V-GR (p<0.001) and proportion of total lean meat yield of shoulder meat (p=0.009), and a decreased hind-leg yield (p=0.032). No associations were found with postweaning growth. These results suggest that ovine UCP1 is a potential gene marker for carcass traits.

Fattening performance and carcass traits of lambs obtained by crossing the Hasmer and Hasak sheep types with the Akkaraman breed

Fattening performance and carcass traits of lambs obtained by crossing the Hasmer and Hasak sheep types with the Akkaraman breed

Effects of increasing concentrations of glycerol in concentrate diets on nutrient digestibility, methane emissions, growth, fatty acid profiles, and carcass traits of lambs1

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing concentrations of glycerol in concentrate diets on total tract digestibility, methane (CH4) emissions, growth, fatty acid profiles, and carcass traits of lambs. In both experiments, the control diet contained 57% barley grain, 14.5% wheat dried distillers grain with solubles (WDDGS), 13% sunflower hulls, 6.5% beet pulp, 6.3% alfalfa, and 3% mineral-vitamin mix. Increasing concentrations (7, 14, and 21% dietary DM) of glycerol in the dietary DM were replaced for barley grain. As glycerol was added, alfalfa meal and WDDGS were increased to maintain similar concentrations of CP and NDF among diets. In Exp.1, nutrient digestibility and CH4 emissions from 12 ram lambs were measured in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment. In Exp. 2, lamb performance was evaluated in 60 weaned lambs that were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 dietary treatments and fed to slaughter weight. In Exp. 1, nutrient digestibility and CH4 emissions were not altered (P = 0.15) by inclusion of glycerol in the diets. In Exp.2, increasing glycerol in the diet linearly decreased DMI (P < 0.01) and tended (P = 0.06) to reduce ADG, resulting in a linearly decreased final BW. Feed efficiency was not affected by glycerol inclusion in the diets. Carcass traits and total SFA or total MUFA proportions of subcutaneous fat were not affected (P = 0.77) by inclusion of glycerol, but PUFA were linearly decreased (P < 0.01). Proportions of 16:0, 10t-18:1, linoleic acid (18:2 n-6) and the n-6/n-3 ratio were linearly reduced (P < 0.01) and those of 18:0 (stearic acid), 9c-18:1 (oleic acid), linearly increased (P < 0.01) by glycerol. When included up to 21% of diet DM, glycerol did not affect nutrient digestibility or CH4 emissions of lambs fed barley based finishing diets. Glycerol may improve backfat fatty acid profiles by increasing 18:0 and 9c-18:1 and reducing 10t-18:1 and the n-6/n-3 ratio.

Introduction of sheep meat breeds in extensive systems: Lamb carcass characteristics

Genotype effects on lamb carcass traits were investigated in a 4-year study aimed at assessing potential benefits from introducing meat breeds into the wool-oriented extensive sheep systems of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina. Five ram [Corriedale: CO; Border Leicester: BL; Île de France: IF; Texel: TX; and synthetic CRIII (25% Merino, 37.5% IF, 37.5% TX)] and 5 dam (CO; synthetic CRIII; BLCO: BL×CO; IFCO: IF×CO; and TXCO: TX×CO) genotypes were represented in the study. Data were collected from 436 male lambs of 9 genotypes (CO×CO, BL×CO, IF×CO, TX×CO, CRIII×CO, CRIII×BLCO, CRIII×IFCO, CRIII×TXCO, and CRIII×CRIII). Hot carcass weights and dressing yields were determined after slaughtering. Carcasses were given conformation and subcutaneous fat scores using the EUROP system [scale varying from E (best) to P (poorest) for conformation, and from 1 (lean) to 5 (overfat) for subcutaneous fat]. Linear measurements of carcass length and width were recorded and carcass compactness indices were calculated from those. Purebred CO acted as a standard for comparisons. On a constant liveweight basis, genotypes CRIII×IFCO and CRIII×CRIII presented higher (P<0.05) carcass weight and dressing yield than CO×CO and BL×CO. Crossbred and synthetic genotypes showed higher (P<0.05) carcass width than CO×CO. With the exception of BL×CO the remaining genotypes showed higher (P<0.05) carcass width/length ratio than CO×CO. The probability that carcasses of crossbred and synthetic lambs presented better conformation than CO×CO was higher than 84%. Carcasses of CRIII×IFCO lambs were given the best conformation scores. The probability that BL×CO carcasses presented higher subcutaneous fat than the remaining genotypes exceeded 79%. Our results indicate significant improvements in carcass conformation arising from crossing. Sheep farmers in extensive systems could take advantage of the higher fatness of BL crossbred lambs to produce light carcasses with adequate fat cover, a crucial industry requirement. Terminal crossbreeding with Île de France, Texel, and CRIII rams could be implemented to improve carcass conformation thus matching market demand for heavy carcasses with limited fat content. Second cross schemes did not improve carcass commercial traits over the best terminal cross or the synthetic CRIII breed.

Fattening performance and carcass traits of Chios male lambs fed under traditional and intensive feeding conditions

This study was carried out to compare the fattening performance and carcass traits of Chios male lambs fed under traditional and intensive feeding conditions. In the study, a total of 34 lambs were randomly separated into traditional (T) and intensive (I) groups in equal numbers. Lambs in group T were fed on ration prepared in local style and grazed in olive grove for 8 h/day. On the other hand, lambs in group I were fed on 255 g alfalfa hay animal(-1) day(-1) and ad libitum mixed feed. After a period of 8 weeks, lambs were transported to the slaughterhouse. The results showed that Chios lambs fed under intensive conditions has better performance and produced heavier carcass compared to those fed under traditional conditions. However, consumption of concentrate feed mixture was about twice as much in group I as in group T. Total feed consumption and feed conversion ratio was similar in each group. The values of carcass traits of lambs in group I were found to be significantly higher than those of group T. On the other hand, carcass fat thickness was slightly lower in group T. Traditional condition is considered to respond to better to consumer demands for lean lamb carcass.

Características quantitativas da carcaça de cordeiros de diferentes genótipos submetidos a duas dietas

Objetivou-se avaliar as características quantitativas de carcaça de cordeiros de diferentes genótipos recebendo diversos níveis de energia na dieta. Foram utilizados 54 cordeiros não-castrados, sendo 18 Santa Inês (SI), 18 F1Dorper × Santa Inês (Dp × SI) e 18 F1 Santa Inês × Sem Raça Definida (SI × SRD), com idade média de 150 dias e peso médio de 22,60 kg no início do experimento. As dietas continham 17% de proteína bruta e 2,40 Mcal/kg MS ou 2,90 Mcal/kg MS. Os cordeiros alimentados com a dieta contendo 2,90 Mcal/kg MS apresentaram maior peso corporal e de carcaça, área de olho-de-lombo, percentual de gordura interna, índice de musculosidade, índice de compacidade da carcaça, percentual de gordura e menor relação músculo:gordura. As carcaças desses cordeiros obtiveram também menores perdas por resfriamento e maior peso e percentual de paleta e perna. As carcaças dos cordeiros Dorper × Santa Inês foram superiores em espessura de gordura subcutânea, medida GR (gordura sobre a 12ª costela a 11 cm de distância da linha média lombo), percentual de gordura, relação músculo:osso, índice de musculosidade, peso e percentual de lombo. Os cordeiros Santa Inês apresentaram maior relação músculo:gordura. A dieta e o genótipo influenciam as características quantitativas de carcaça de cordeiros.

Feeding of wheat middlings in lamb total mixed rations: Effects on growth performance and carcass traits

Little scientific information is available that evaluates wheat middlings (WM) as corn grain substitute in lamb diet. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of feeding WM in total mixed rations (TMR) on lamb performance and carcass characteristics. Forty Comisana breed male lambs (13 ± 0.5 kg BW) were allocated randomly to two isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets. Two pelleted TMR were formulated: control diet contained 400 g/kg of dry matter (DM) of corn as main starch source, whereas experimental diet contained 600 g/kg DM of WM. Lambs were slaughtered after fifty days of feeding trial and carcass data were collected. In order to evaluate in vivo digestibility of TMR, four adult Comisana rams were placed in metabolic cages and their individual faeces and urine were collected, and indicated differences for NDF and ADF fractions. Results from growth trial of lambs showed that final live weight and gain as well as feed conversion ratio were improved by WM in diet (P=0.035). In slaughter trial, none of the parameters studied were influenced by dietary treatment, except for slaughter weight and cold-carcass dressing that were improved in lambs fed WM (P=0.047 and P=0.042, respectively). Additionally, WM diet had no effect on lamb carcass traits. As result, WM maintained lamb performance and had no negative effect on lamb performance and carcass traits. Maximizing the use of WM may become economically feasible for lamb feeders when prices turn favorable compared to conventional dietary ingredients such as corn.

Effect of low and high oil corn distillers' grain on rumen fermentation, growth performance and carcass characteristics of lambs

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of replacing a mixture of canola meal and barley grain in the diet with (low and high oil) corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) or wheat DDGS on rumen fermentation, feed intake, growth performance and carcass traits in lambs. Seventy Canadian Arcott lambs (24.7 ± 3.21 kg) were used in a completely randomised block design over a 14-week trial. Experimental diets were provided ad libitum as pelleted total mixed rations. In the treatment diets, canola meal and barley grain were replaced with 200 g/kg of dietary DM of either high oil corn DDGS, low oil corn DDGS or wheat DDGS. A positive control diet was added to match the lipid content of 39 g/kg DM of the high oil corn DDGS diet. An in vitro rumen digestibility trial was conducted using ruminal fluid obtained from three non-lactating Holstein dairy cows. Rumen contents were also collected from each lamb at the time of slaughter for testing in vivo rumen fermentation. Data from both the in vivo and in vitro results were analysed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. The in vitro incubations revealed both corn DDGS diets produced less microbial N and microbial DM than control and wheat DDGS diets; however, this difference was too minimal to affect growth performance. Similarly, there was no dietary effect on (P &gt; 0.05) on in vivo ruminal fermentation or carcass characteristics (P ≥ 0.19) of the lambs. Lambs fed low oil corn DDGS had lower average daily gains (P &lt; 0.03) than those fed either high oil corn DDGS or wheat DDGS however they did not differ from those fed the control. This research demonstrated that replacing canola meal and portions of barley grain with 200 g/kg DM of either high oil corn DDGS, low oil corn DDGS or wheat DDGS in finishing lamb ratios could effectively maintain healthy rumen function, growth performance and carcass characteristics.

Desempenho produtivo e parâmetros de carcaça de cordeiros mantidos em pastos irrigados e suplementados com doses crescentes de concentrado

The objective of this present study was to evaluate the productive performance and carcass traits of lambs finished on Tifton 85 irrigated pastures and receiving increasing levels of concentrate. Four levels of concentrate were compared on a dry matter basis (0, 0.66, 1.33 and 2.00%) in relation to the body weight of animals. The experimental period was 84 days, divided into four sub-periods of 21 days. Twenty-four Santa Ines male sheep, castrated, weighting 20.5 kg, were used as testers. The experimental design was completely randomized with six replications. The increase in concentrate levels promoted higher final body weight, average daily gain, total weight gain, total dry matter intake, pelvic-renal fat score, external body length, rump width, chest width and depth, croup perimeter and ham perimeter, as well as lower forage dry matter intake and eggs per gram of feces. However, hot carcass dressing was not affected by concentrate supplementation. The increase in concentrate supplementation levels for lambs grazing on Tifton 85 irrigated pastures promoted higher productive performance and carcass weight.

Effects of replacing barley grain with triticale-based dried distillers’ grains with solubles on nutrient digestibility, lamb growth performance and carcass traits

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of increasing proportions of triticale-based dried distillers’ grains with solubles (TDDGS) in the diet on nutrient digestibility, growth and carcass traits of lambs. The control diet contained 72.5% barley grain, 10.0% beet pulp, 9.0% sunflower hulls, 3.0% alfalfa meal and 5.5% mixed supplement, which contained molasses, calcium carbonate, minerals and vitamins. Treatment diets contained TDDGS in place of barley grain at 20, 40 or 60% of diet dry matter (DM). In a growth study, 60 weaned lambs stratified by live weight (26.6 ± 3.6 kg) were fed one of the four diets to slaughter weight. Additionally, a digestibility study using these diets in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design was conducted using 12 ram lambs. Increasing dietary allocation of TDDGS in the diet did not affect (P &gt; 0.12) DM intake, average daily gain or feed efficiency (feed:gain). At slaughter, cold carcass weight and grade rule scores responded quadratically (P = 0.04) to increasing TDDGS in the diets. Feeding TDDGS did not affect other carcass traits (P &gt; 0.22). Total saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids in subcutaneous fat were unaffected by TDDGS, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids increased linearly (P = 0.03). Concentration of t10, c12-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in carcass fat increased linearly (P = 0.02) with increasing TDDGS, but there was no effect (P ≥ 0.20) on concentrations of c9, t11-CLA or t11-18:1. In the digestibility study, DM intake increased linearly (P &lt; 0.01) with increasing TDDGS in the diet, whereas digestibility of DM, crude protein and fat responded quadratically (P &lt; 0.01). Starch digestibility decreased and ADF digestibility increased linearly (P &lt; 0.01), but there was no treatment effect on NDF digestibility (P &gt; 0.29). Total nitrogen, total phosphorus and soluble phosphorus excretion increased (P &lt; 0.01) with increasing TDDGS. In conclusion, TDDGS can be fed in place of barley grain at levels up to 60% in diets for lambs without adverse affects on growth performance or carcass traits, but this practice will lead to an increase in N and P excretion into the environment.Key words: Lamb, digestibility, triticale distillers grains, performance, carcass characteristics

Effects of corn-, wheat- or triticale dry distillers’ grains with solubles on in vitro fermentation, growth performance and carcass traits of lambs

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of replacing a mixture of canola meal and barley grain with corn-, wheat- or triticale dry distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) at 20% of dietary dry matter (DM) on in vitro ruminal fermentation in bovine ruminal fluid and on growth performance and carcass characteristics of lambs. Sixty ram lambs (22.6 ± 3.0 kg) were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments and given individual ad libitum access to feed until they attained slaughter weight. The control diet consisted (DM basis) of 54% barley grain, 16% sunflower hulls, 11.5% beet pulp, 10% canola meal, 2.5% canola oil and 6.0% molasses, vitamins and minerals mixture. For the three DDGS dietary treatments, 10% barley grain and 10% canola meal were replaced with 20% corn-, wheat-or triticale-DDGS. The source of DDGS did not influence (P &gt; 0.51) dry matter intake (DMI) or average daily gain (ADG). Feed conversion (feed:gain) of lambs fed wheat DDGS was approx. 12% poorer (P &lt; 0.05) than that of lambs fed control or corn DDGS diets. In vitro data suggest that the inefficient gain may have been attributable to greater (P &lt; 0.05) ammonia concentration at 24 h and lower digestibility of wheat DDGS. Carcass traits, including hot carcass weight, body wall thickness and saleable meat yield, were not affected (P &gt; 0.60) by dietary treatment. Total saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in subcutaneous fat were also not affected by DGGS source (P ≥ 0.13). There was no treatment effect (P = 0.33) on concentrations of t11-18:1, but feeding triticale DDGS increased the concentration (P = 0.04) of c9, t11-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). In conclusion, DDGS from corn, wheat or triticale can replace a mixture of barley grain and canola meal at 20% of dietary DM without adversely affecting DMI, ADG or carcass characteristics of growing lambs, although wheat DDGS may reduce feed conversion ratio (feed:gain). Including triticale DDGS may also improve the fatty acid profile of subcutaneous fat.Key words: Lamb, corn, wheat, triticale, distillers’ grains, performance, carcass characteristics