The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of three levels of cull pinto beans (CPB) on animal performance, energy balance, and digestibility of hair ewes during pregnancy-lactation. One hundred and sixty-eight Pelibuey ewes were used (105 multiparous and 63 primiparous). Seven ewes of each type were randomly assigned to each of the 24 pens. Then, the twenty-four pens were randomly assigned to one of three treatments. Treatments were assigned on DM basis at: 0 g kg-1 of CPB in the supplement; 250 g kg-1 of CPB in the supplement; and 500 g kg-1 of CPB in the supplement. Data was analyzed by using the PROC MIXED of SAS. Lamb birth and weaning weight were also evaluated with the GLM procedure of SAS. All variables were analyzed as a completely randomized design. No differences among treatments were observed for body weight, body condition score, non-esterified fatty acids, and body weaning weight. During late pregnancy, dry matter intake was different among treatments, but it was similar during lactation. Body birth weight was different among treatments and showed a quadratic effect. At day 30 of lactation, a treatment effect was found for digestibility of dry matter (DM). At the end of lactation, digestibility of crude protein was different among treatments. In day 60 of lactation, differences among treatments were found for digestibility of neutral detergent fiber. Due to equal ewe performance among treatments of CPB and its low cost, its use is recommended in hair ewe feeding for these productive stages: 500 g kg-1 DM of the supplement during pregnancy and 400 g kg-1 DM during lactation.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of cull pinto beans (CPB) (Phaseolus vulgaris) on performance of feedlot lambs. Seventy-two crossbred hair-breed lambs (Dorper × Pelibuey and Kathadin × Pelibuey) were used (75±6 days old and 18.7±3.89 kg of initial body weight). Animals were fed twice daily. Diets consisted of 20% alfalfa hay and 80% concentrate based on ground sorghum grain and were formulated to contain 17.9% crude protein and 2.60 Mcal/kg metabolizable energy. Treatments were (dry matter basis): no CPB (0%), 10% CPB, and 20% CPB. Lambs were blocked by body weight and treatments and arranged in a 2 × 3 arrangement of treatments. Body weights were recorded initially and subsequently at 14-day intervals for a total 70 number of days. Dry matter intake was recorded daily. Apparent dry matter digestibility was predicted using insoluble acid detergent fiber. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design. Final body weight and average daily gain decreased linearly with increasing CPB level and were greater for males than females. A level × gender interaction was observed for dry matter and crude protein digestibility. Data for hot carcass weight and cold carcass weight decreased linearly as CPB level increased and were greater for males. Carcass yield, longissimus muscle area, and dressing percentage were greater for males. Dressing percentage quadratically increased as CPB level increased. Cull pinto beans are a suitable ingredient for feedlot hair-breed lambs, but the inclusion of more than 10% of CPB level decreases animal performance.

-The objective was to evaluate the effect of three levels of cull pinto beans (CPB; Phaseolus vulgaris) on ruminal fermentation, kinetics, and nutrient digestibility in hair lambs. Six cannulated lambs averaging 56.6±3.8 kg were used and were randomly assigned to one of three treatments. Treatments were: 0.0 kg kg -1 of CPB in the supplement (control); 0.25 kg kg -1 of CPB in the supplement (CB25); and 0.40 kg kg -1 of CPB in the supplement (CB40). Dry matter intake, ruminal pH, NH 3 , and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, methane production, Kp (passage rate), MRT (mean retention time), and digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber were evaluated. Data were analyzed in a Latin square design, repeated in line, by MIXED procedure of SAS. Estimates used for Kp and MRT were obtained by a non-linear regression model (PROC NLIN). Dry matter intake was reduced by supplementation of CPB. No differences were found in ruminal pH or ruminal NH 3 . During the trial, differences were found for ruminal VFA concentration (mM), which were greater for the CB25 group. The propionate:acetate ratio was greater for the CB40 treatment. Methane production (mM/m) differed among treatments, but it was the greatest for the CB40 group. Passage rate (kg kg -1 /h) and MRT (h) were similar among treatments and the digestibility (kg kg -1 ) of dry matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber was not different among treatments. The inclusion of 0.25 kg kg -1 of CPB in the diet of hair lambs allows for appropriate nutrient digestion without affecting Kp and MRT and increases the molar proportion of the ability of VFA to maintain acetate:propionate ratio without increasing methane production.