RUMINAL METABOLISM AND DIGESTIBILITY OF HIGH CONCENTRATE DIETS WITH VARYING PROTEIN LEVELS FOR RAM LAMBS.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15361/2175-0106.2005v21n1p77-85Abstract
Differences among dietary protein levels suggested in the literature indicate the need for better evaluation of protein requirements of growing lambs raised in drylot and fed a high concentrate diet. Five Santa Inês ram lambs (43 kg body weigh) fitted with ruminal cannulas were used in a 5x5 latin square design. Diets contained 80% concentrate and 20% sugarcane bagasse with 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20% CP. There were no differences (P> 0.05) in dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber apparent digestibilities in the total digestive tract. Crude protein apparent digestibility in the total digestive tract and N retention (g/day) were greater (P < 0.05) for diets with 16, 18 and 20% CP than for the diets with 12 and 14% CP. Ruminal ammonia-N concentration increased (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of dietary CP, and no differences (P > 0.05) were observed on pH and ruminal volatile fatty acids concentrations. KEY-WORDS: Ram lambs. Protein levels. Digestibility. Ruminal metabolism. High grain diet.Published
17/06/2008
Issue
Section
Animal Production (Ruminants)/Produção Animal (Ruminantes)
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