Feeding forage mixtures of alfalfa hay and maize stover optimizes growth performance and carcass characteristics of lambs

Abstract

A feeding experiment was carried out to determine the effects of different proportions of alfalfa hay and maize stover on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of fattening lambs. Forty-two healthy 3.5-month-old male Small-tail Han lambs of 23.89 ± 0.38 kg body mass were assigned to seven groups, which were fed mixed diets composed of maize stover and alfalfa hay containing 0%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or 100% maize stover on a dry matter (DM) basis. Each lamb received 1.5 kg DM of forage mixture three times daily and supplementary concentrate (0.5 kg corn per lamb per day) for 60 days. Compared with the control forage diet of maize stover only, forage intake rate and forage conversion rate on the 40% maize stover/60% alfalfa hay mixture were 30% and 5% higher, respectively. Body weight, dressing percentage and net income were 6.7 kg, 8% and 94.37 Yuan higher per lamb, respectively. Thus, feeding lambs with a forage mixture of maize stover and alfalfa hay in a ratio of 40:60 optimized the production performance, slaughter performance, and the income derived from lambs.

Effects of LAB inoculant and cellulase on the fermentation quality and chemical composition of forage soybean silage prepared with corn stover

“…However, forage soybean with delayed harvesting stage (from pods to filled seeds) have low intake and digestibility with the high contents of acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) (Hintz, Albrecht, & Oplinger, 1992; Seiter, Altemose, & Davis, 2004). Corn stover ( Zea mays L.) is the major crop stover in China and has been extensively used as an important feed resource (Sun et al., 2018). However, corn stover exhibits low level of crude protein (CP, 53.4 g/kg dry matter [DM]) (Sun et al., 2018).…”

“…Corn stover ( Zea mays L.) is the major crop stover in China and has been extensively used as an important feed resource (Sun et al., 2018). However, corn stover exhibits low level of crude protein (CP, 53.4 g/kg dry matter [DM]) (Sun et al., 2018). According to the reports of Díaz et al.…”

“…protein (CP, 53.4 g/kg dry matter [DM]) (Sun et al, 2018). According to the reports of Díaz et al (2003) and Marrero et al (2000), the CP content of soybean forage ranged from 120 to 247 g/kg DM.…”

Effects of fibre source on nutrient digestibility of diets for finishing lambs

“…The collective lower digestibility of the NDF, NSC, CP, OM, and DM fractions of the MS treatment was typically related to the advanced maturity of the fibre source (Sun et al, 2017) and could not be overcome by positive associative effects of a complete diet, despite the increased concentrate to roughage ratio. Maize stover is a by-product of a physiologically mature maize plant, which is associated with an increase in stemto-leaf ratio, lignin content and lignification (Moore & Jung, 2001).…”

Economic evaluation and productive performance of lambs finished with concentrate and corn stover

“…One strategy to reduce feeding costs is having producers formulate and prepare their own diets, based on regionally available supplies, combined with corn stover as a source of fiber. Although Guerra-Medina et al (2015), Sun et al (2018) and others have already researched the nutritional feasibility of using concentrates with corn stover in the diet of fattening sheep, there is scarce information available about the economic impact of implementing this nutritional strategy for sheep fattening. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out an economic analysis of sheep fattening with total mixed diets that include corn stover.…”