Characterization and effects of DDG on the intake and digestibility of finishing bulls in feedlots

Author(s)

Natália Vilas Boas Fonseca ^[1] ; Abmael da Silva Cardoso ^[2] ; Alvair Hoffmann ^[3] ; Rhaony Gonçalves Leite ^[4] ; Adriana Cristina Ferrari ^[5] ; Marcia Helena Machado da Rocha Fernandes ^[6] ; Ricardo Andrade Reis ^[7]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade Estadual Paulista “Julio de Mesquita Filho”. Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias. Departamento de Zootecnia - Brasil

^[2] Universidade Estadual Paulista “Julio de Mesquita Filho”. Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias. Departamento de Zootecnia - Brasil

^[3] Departamento Técnico Trouw Nutrititon - Brasil

^[4] Universidade Estadual Paulista “Julio de Mesquita Filho”. Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias. Departamento de Zootecnia - Brasil

^[5] Universidade Estadual Paulista “Julio de Mesquita Filho”. Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias. Departamento de Zootecnia - Brasil

^[6] Universidade Estadual Paulista “Julio de Mesquita Filho”. Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias. Departamento de Zootecnia - Brasil

^[7] Universidade Estadual Paulista “Julio de Mesquita Filho”. Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias. Departamento de Zootecnia - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Acta Sci., Anim. Sci.; v. 43, 2020-11-30.

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to characterize four corn and sorghum co-products (DDG) in terms of their protein and carbohydrate fractions; we also evaluated the effects of substituting the protein source of the conventional supplement by DDG on consumption and nutrient digestibility in confined finishing cattle. Thirty-six male Nellore cattle with a mean age of 24 months were used. The treatments were: FA: concentrate with corn as an energy source and cottonseed meal as a protein source; DDG50: concentrate with a 50% substitution of the FA protein source by DDG; DDG100: concentrate with 100% substitution of the FA protein source by DDG. The experimental design was completely randomized with three treatments and three replicates (pens) containing four animals per pen. We found that the use of DDG in the finishing phase did not interfere with the animals’ food intake or the digestibility of the nutrients (p > 0.05). Nutrients were used by the animals; therefore, DDGs may be viable substitutes of cottonseed meal. We conclude that the bromatological composition of this co-product is influenced a lot during processing; therefore, the nutritional values of this co-product present in the composition tables may not be true. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/16631-5 - Management strategies to reduce environmental impacts of beef cattle production systems
• Grantee: Ricardo Andrade Reis
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/11274-5 - Decomposition of litter and greenhouse gases emission in Brachiaria grasses with increasing nitrogen fertilizer rates
• Grantee: Abmael da Silva Cardoso
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral