Comparison of triticale cultivars with maize grain for finishing lambs
Year: 1994
Type: article
Abstract: Grains from five triticale cultivars on the South African market (Usgen 7; l0; l4; 18; 19) were compared with each other and to maize in enriched mixtures for lambs in a feedlot. The grain was enriched by adding l27o of a commercial concentrate formula. Diets were fed individually to SA Mutton Merino lambs (5 ram and 5 ewe lambs/ diet) from about eight weeks of age (c. 19 kg) to 20 weeks of age (c. 35 kg). Lucerne hay (milled through a l2mm screen) was supplied separately at c. l)Vo of ad libitum intake. The crude protein (CP) content of triticale grain varied between 10.37o (Usgen l8) and I l.6Vo (Usgen l4). The mean in vito organic matter digestibility (IVOMD; 88.8Vo), acid detergent fibre (ADF; 3.77o) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF; 20.4Vo) matched those in cited literature. The CP and digestible energy (DE) of the diets were 14.77o CP and 15.4 MJ DE/ kg DM. No significant (P > 0.05) differences were observed between the diets in grain intake, hay intake, total dry matter intake, average daily grain (ADG) or feed conversion ratio (FCR). Lambs receiving enriched maize, however, tended to have better FCR ( l3%) than lambs consuming enriched triticale. Lambs fed Usgen l0 tended to have lower ADG (24Vo) and poorer FCR (2270) than lambs receiving the other triticale cultivars. Ram lambs had an 8Vo (P < 0.08) higher DMI and l9%o (P < 0.01) faster growth than ewe lambs; their FCR was 97o (P < 0.12) better. Triticale may be fed successfully in enriched whole grain mixtures for feedlot lambs, although their FCR may be lower than with maize. Feeding values of triticale diets based on FCR ranged from 657o to 947o of that of maize diets, which averaged only 85Vo.
Authors: T.S. Brand, GD van der Merwe
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $500
OpenAlex ID: W2182196134