Abstract

ARROQUY, J.I; LOPEZ-FERNANDEZ, C.J  and  LOPEZ, A. Uso de subproductos de planta de algodón como fuente de fibra en dietas de engorde a corral. RIA. Rev. investig. agropecu. [online]. 2018, vol.44, n.1, pp.23-29. ISSN 1669-2314.

Cotton fibre co-products available in northern Argentina are a source of effective fiber to replace high cost roughage (e.i., alfalfa hay or silage or grasses) in finishing diets. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing roughage sources (alfalfa hay) by cotton plant byproduct (SPA) on average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI) and feed efficiency (DMI/ADG) in feedlot diets. One hundred and four (220 ± 4 kg PV) were assigned to 12 pens (8 or 9 head/ per pens) for 68 days on feed. The experiment was divided in two feeding periods: adaptation (days 0 to 19) and finishing (days 20 to 68). Treatments consisted of replacing the roughage portion of the diet (alfalfa hay; 12.9% CP, 65.5% NDF) by SPA (7.2% CP, 71.4% NDF): 100% alfalfa (SPA0); 66% alfalfa: 33% SPA (SPA33); 33% alfalfa: 66% SPA (SPA67); and 100% SPA (SPA100). Initial (day 0; P = 0.92), adaptation (day 19; P = 0.26) and final (day 68; P = 0.37) average live weight did not significantly differ among treatments. Moreover, ADG (P > 0.43), DMI (P > 0.23) and DMI/ADG (P > 0.50) were not affected by treatments for both feeding periods. Results show that total or partial replacement of alfalfa roughage by SPA in high concentrate diets (>89%) do not adversely affect live weight gain and feed efficiency.

Keywords : Feedlot; Effective fiber; Cotton byproduct; Concentrate; Feed efficiency; Beef cattle.

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