DIGESTIBILITY OF COTTONSEED PROCESSING RESIDUE IN BEEF CATTLE.

Abstract

The study was aimed at evaluating the influence of the replacement of sugarcane by the residue of the cottonseed processing (cottonseed residue), on the digestibility of the diet in bovines. Eight crossbred steers with approximately 30 months of age and average weight of 285 kg were used. The experimental design was a 4 x 4 duplicate latin square. The treatments consisted of: 0% cottonseed residue and 100% sugarcane (R0C100); 25% cottonseed residue and 75% sugarcane (R25C75); 50% cottonseed residue and 50% sugarcane (R50C50); 75% cottonseed residue and 25% sugarcane (R75C25). Dry matter intake ranged from 6.47 to 6.84 kg/d, not demonstrating significant effect of the treatments. The dry matter coefficient of digestibility was reduced from the inclusion of 50% of cottonseed residue, while the digestibility of crude protein and crude energy dropped only when 75% cottonseed residue was added to the diet. In relation to the digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber, significant differences among the treatments were not observed. The use of the cottonseed-processing residue in high levels (75%dry matter diet) compromised the digestibility. Therefore, in the evaluated conditions, it may be recommended up to the level of 50%. KEY-WORDS: Alternative feed. Cottonseed residue. Digestibility. Ruminant nutrition. Sugarcane.