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Pecan Shells as a Roughage in Steer Rations and Use of Rib Cut Density in Estimating Energy Gain

University of Georgia, Athens 30602

Abstract

One-Hundred-Ten Angus and Hereford steer calves were assigned by stratified randomization to 11 outcome groups of 10 steers each. One of the 11 groups was slaughtered at the outset to facilitate the use of Lofgreen's comparative slaughter technique, with certain modifications, for estimating energy gains during a feeding trial with the other groups. The remaining groups were randomly assigned to five ration treatments designed to compare ground pecan (Carya illinoensis) shells (GPS) with ground hay (GH) as a roughage in a steer ration. The GH and/or GPS were included along with ground shelled corn, soybean oil meal and minerals in the various ration treatments as follows: (1) 20% GH; (2) 20% GPS; (3) 10% GH; (4) 10% GPS; (5) 10% GH+10% GPS. The steers were self fed on their respective rations for either 140 or 161 days. The GPS caused no reduction in feed intake nor the development of any apparent health problems. However, on the basis of rate of live weight gain, rate of energy gain, feed efficiency and various measures of carcass quality, GPS were inferior to GH as a roughage material. The GPS lowered rumen pH. Also, they had a significant influence on certain other measures of rumen fermentation. In this test GPS contributed very little, if any, nutritive value to the ration. GPS were more effective than GH in reducing the incidence of livers condemned due to abscesses, especially at the 10% level of roughage. A rib cut was used effectively as an indicator of carcass density in estimating energy gains of test animals.