Physical form of maize grain in finishing rations of ram lambs

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Date
2008-05
Authors
Zietsman, Renier
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
English: The effect of whole (WMG), ground (GMG) and fine (FMG) maize grain in finishing rations for lambs containing 20 and 40% lucerne hay respectively was investigated. Thirty 3-month-old SA Mutton Merino lambs were randomly allocated to 6 treatments of 5 animals each. A digestibility and production study was carried out (60 lambs in total). All lambs were kept in individual pens for the duration of the various studies. The dry matter intake (DMI) of the lambs in the digestibility study consuming the ration with WMG was significantly (P=0.0052) lower than those fed FMG. Processing of maize grain resulted a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fibre and gross energy as well as digestible crude protein and metabolisable energy (ME). In contrast with DMI (P>0.05) the apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and gross energy were significantly (P<0.05) decreased with an increase in roughage level to 40%. Acid detergent fibre digestibility showed no statistical significant (P>0.05) differences between dietary roughage levels. Lucerne hay level did not influence (P>0.05) the ME-content of the finishing rations within a specific physical form. Physical form of maize grain in finishing rations for lambs did not significantly (P>0.05) influence DMI, feed conversion and carcass characteristics. The inclusion of FMG in a finishing ration with 40% lucerne hay resulted in a significant (P=0.0013) lower MEintake. A significantly (P<0.05) poorer weight gain and energy efficiency were observed for lambs fed WMG in the ration. The inclusion of 20 and 40% lucerne hay in finishing rations of lambs did not significantly (P>0.05) influence DMI, ME-intake and weight gain as well as feed and energy efficiency. A higher (P<0.05) carcass weight and dressing percentage occurred when 20% compared to 40% lucerne hay was included in the lamb-finishing ration. It was concluded that the physical form of maize grain in finishing rations has no influence on the performance of lambs. Accordingly no physical form x roughage level (20 to 40% lucerne hay) interaction exists in finishing rations for lambs.
Afrikaans: Die effek van heel (HMG), gruis (GMG) en fyn (FMG) mieliegraan in die afrondrantsoene vir lammers, bevattende 20 en 40% lusernhooi onderskeidelik, is ondersoek. Dertig 3 maande oud SA Vleismerino lammers is ewekansig ingedeel in 6 behandelings met 5 diere elk. 'n Vertering- sowel as 'n produksiestudie is uitgevoer (60 lammers in totaal). Alle lammers is gehuisves in individuele kratte gedurende die onderskeie studies. Die droëmateriaalinname (DMI) van die lammers in die verteringstudie wat die rantsoen met HMG gevoer is, was betekenisvol (P=0.0052) laer as die van die FMG rantsoene. Prosessering van mieliegraan het 'n betekenisvolle (P<0.05) verlaging in skynbare verteerbaarheid van droëmateriaal, ruproteïen, suurbestande vesel en brutoenergie sowel as verteerbare ruproteïen en metaboliseerbare energie (ME) teweeggebring. In teenstelling met DMI (P>0.05), het die skynbare verteerbaarheid van droëmateriaal, ruproteïen en bruto-energie betekenisvol (P<0.05) verlaag 'n die verhoging van die ruvoerpeil na 40%. Verteerbaarheid van suurbestande vesel het geen statistiese betekenisvolle (P>0.05) verskille tussen ruvoerpeile getoon nie. Lusernhooi het nie die ME-inhoud van afrondrantsoene binne 'n spesifieke fisiese vorm betekenisvol (P>0.05) beïnvloed nie. Fisiese vorm van mieliegraan in afrondrantsoene vir lammers het nie DMI, voeromset, en karkaseienskappe betekenisvol (P>0.05) beïnvloed nie. Die insluiting van FMG in 'n afrondrantsoen met 40% lusernhooi het 'n betekenisvolle (P<0.05) laer ME-inname tot gevolg gehad. 'n Betekenisvolle (P<0.05) swakker massatoename en energie-omset is waargeneem by lammers wat die HMG rantsoene ontvang het. Die insluiting van 20 en 40% lusernhooi in afrondrantsoene van lammers het nie DMI, ME-inname en massatoename sowel as voer- en energie-omset betekenisvol (P>0.05) beïnvloed nie. 'n Hoër (P<0.05) karkasmassa en uitslagpersentasie het voorgekom wanneer 20% in vergelyking met 40% lusernhooi in afrondingsrantsoene vir lammers ingesluit is. Daar is tot die slotsom gekom dat die fisiese vorm van mieliegraan in afrondrantsoene geen invloed op die prestasie van lammers gehad het nie. Dienooreenkomstig het geen fisiese vorm x ruvoerpeil (20 na 40% lusernhooi) interaksie voorgekom in afrondrantsoene vir lammers nie.
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Keywords
Lambs -- Feeding and feeds, Grain -- Processing, Corn as feed, Dissertation (M.Sc.Agric. (Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences))--University of the Free State, 2008
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