HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Riquelme, E. Articles by Couch, B. Y. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Riquelme, E. Articles by Couch, B. Y.

Wood Cellulose as an Energy Source in Lamb Fattening Rations^{1, 2,}

Washington State University, Pullman 99163

Abstract

Two finishing studies were conducted to determine the value of wood cellulose as an energy source in lamb fattening rations and to evaluate the effect of feeding high levels of cellulose fiber on performance and carcass traits of finishing lambs. In Trial I, a 60% alfalfa — 40% concentrate ration was compared with two rations containing 66% fiber obtained by two different processes. No differences in average daily gains were observed among treatments, however, there was a reduction of daily feed intake by the lambs receiving the fiber rations as compared to the control group (1.33 kg/day and 1.78 kg/day, respectively). The reduced feed intake and lower body fat content resulted in a higher efficiency of utilization of the fiber rations. Control lambs exhibited higher dressing percentages and backfat thickness than the fiber-fed lambs. There were no differences in loin-eye area, kidney fat percent, conformation score or carcass grade among treatments. Calculated cutability grades were higher for the fiber treatments than for the control group. In Trial II, a 70% barley ration was compared to three rations containing sulfite fiber and different nitrogen sources. The lambs receiving the control ration had higher average daily gains than those fed the fiber rations. Daily feed intakes were similar to those in Trial I. Feed efficiency was highest for the fiber-SBM ration and lowest for the fiber-roughage ration. The control and fiber-CSM groups had similar efficiencies of feed utilization.

The control lambs had higher dressing percentages, greater backfat thickness, larger loin-eye area, more kidney and pelvic fat, lower carcass grades and lower yield grades than the fiber-fed lambs. There were no differences in the carcass traits evaluated among the three fiber treatments.

¹ Scientific Paper No. 4289. College of Agriculture Research Center, Washington State University. Project No. 1217.

² Appreciation is extended to Weyerhaeuser Co., Seattle, WA for partial support of these studies.

³ Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman.

⁴ Conducted in partial fulfillment for the Ph.D. degree.

⁵ Weyerhaeuser Co., Seattle, WA.