Influence of corn-dried distiller’s grain with solubles on growth performance and blood metabolites of Awassi lambs offered a concentrate diet

Effects of dietary inclusion of dry distillers grains with solubles on performance, carcass characteristics, and nitrogen metabolism in meat sheep: a meta-analysis

We conducted a meta-analysis in this scientific study to determine the effects of feeding meat sheep dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). Thirty-three peer-reviewed articles that met our inclusion requirements and were published between 1997 and 2021 were examined. To calculate the variation in performance, fermentation, carcass features, and nitrogen efficiency between the DDGS and control (no DDGS) treatments, we used 940 sheep weighing an average of 29.1 ± 1.5 kg. We used a hierarchical mixed model to conduct a meta-regression, subset, and dose-response analysis, while taking into consideration categorical variables like breed (pure or cross-breed), and continuous factors, like CP, NDF, and DDGS inclusion rate. Our findings indicate that sheep fed DDGS had higher (p < 0.05) final body weight (51.4 vs. 50.4 kg), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (55.9 vs. 53.8%), and total-tract ether extract digestibility (81.7 vs. 78.7%) than sheep on a control diet. No effects were observed on DMI, CP, and rumen fermentation, but dietary DDGS tended to increase (p = 0.07) HC weight (25.53 vs. 24.6 kg) and meat (redness) color (16.6 vs. 16.3) among treatment comparisons. Dietary DDGS was associated with higher N intake (29.9 vs. 26.8 g/d), fecal N (8.2 vs. 7.8 g/d), and digestibility (71.9 vs. 68.5%). Urinary nitrogen was significantly (p < 0.05) affected linearly by increasing the intake of DDGS in the diet. Based on the dose-response analysis, dietary DDGS inclusion should not exceed 20% to avoid negative effects on performance, nitrogen metabolism, and meat color. Dietary protein from DDGS should not exceed 17% to prevent reduced TVFA concentrations. Breed strongly influenced (p < 0.05) RMD in performance, and inconsistent responses were observed between crossbreed and purebred sheep comparisons. Despite these inconsistencies, no publication bias was observed, but a high variance (Ω²) among comparisons-between-studies was detected. This meta-analysis showed evidence in support of the hypothesis that feeding meat sheep DDGS at a rate of 20% can improve their performance, digestibility, carcass weight, and meat color.

Influence of Fermented-Moutai Distillers' Grain on Growth Performance, Meat Quality, and Blood Metabolites of Finishing Cattle

The present study evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation with fermented-Moutai distillers' grain (FMDG) on the growth performance, meat quality, amino acid composition and blood metabolites of finishing cattle. Thirty cattle (2 years old; 237.55 ± 10.72 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three dietary supplementations: 0% FMDG (control), 15% FMDG (R1) and 30% FMDG (R2) [dry matter (DM) basis]. After 60 days, the inclusion of FMDG had no significant (p > 0.05) effects on the growth performance indices (dry matter intake, average daily gain and feed efficiency), meat quality (cooking yield, shear force, L^*, a^*, and b^* values) or bovine blood biochemical indicators (except albumin and immunoglobulin A). Cattle fed R1 had the lowest (p = 0.001) loin eye area. Supplementation with FMDG significantly (p < 0.05) increased the beef contents of various amino acids (except isoleucine and arginine) compared with the control diet. Specifically, R2 significantly increased (p < 0.05) the total amino acid, essential amino acid, non-essential amino acid and umami amino acid contents in beef, while the difference in bitter amino acid content between different treatments was not significant (p = 0.165). These results suggest that it is feasible to include FMDG at up to 30% DM without affecting the growth performance, meat quality or blood metabolites of finishing cattle.

Replacing cottonseed meal and sorghum with dried distillers` grains with solubles enhances the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of feedlot lambs

We evaluated the impacts of substituting cottonseed meal (CSM) and sorghum grain (SG) with dried distillers` grains with solubles (DDGS) in lamb feedlot diets on the dry matter intake (DMI), the growth performance, blood serum analysis, feces phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N), wool production and quality, carcass traits, adipose tissue fatty acid (FA) profiles, and sensory panel tests. For 72 d, Rambouillet wether lambs (n = 44, initial body weight, BW = 28.8 ± 3.3 kg) were individually fed ad libitum pelleted diets containing DDGS that replaced 0% (0DDGS), 25% (25DDGS), 50% (50DDGS), or 75% (75DDGS) of the CSM and SG in a completely randomized design trial. Linear and quadratic effects of DDGS levels on the response variables were analyzed. Treatment × day interactions (P < 0.001) were observed for BW and DMI. As the DDGS level was increased, DMI (from days 21 to 70), lamb BW (from days 56 to 70), average daily gain, blood urea nitrogen and P, and fecal P linearly increased (P ≤ 0.05). Fecal N quadratically increased (P = 0.01), but no effects were found for gain:feed, blood insulin-like growth factor-1, or calcium. No differences in wool production or most of the wool quality parameters were detected. Adipose tissue stearic acid linearly increased (P = 0.02), linoleic acid quadratically increased (P = 0.01), and oleic acid tended to quadratically decrease (P = 0.08) as the DDGS increased in the diets. Increasing the DDGS level in the diets quadratically increased the hot carcass weight (P = 0.02), backfat thickness (P = 0.04), and body wall thickness (P < 0.001) while having no impact on the longissimus muscle area. As the DDGS increased in the diet, juiciness, tenderness, and overall acceptability linearly increased (P ≤ 0.05), while having no effect on the cook-loss, flavor intensity, or off-flavor detectability. Replacing 50% of CSM and SG with DDGS improved growth performance and enhanced the carcass and meat quality.

Effect of dried distillers' grain with solubles as a replacer of peanut cake for sheep fed on low quality forage

Several concerns exist on the performance and health attributes of sheep fed on complete replacements of the traditional feed ingredients with dried distillers' grain solubles (DDGS). The study intended to know the effect of DDGS on replacing the peanut cake (PNC) at 0%, 50%, 75%, and 100% in sheep fed Jowar stover-based diet. Replacing PNC with DDGS increased (P < 0.05) the final body weight and concentrate intake. The weight gain and average daily gain tended to increase (P = 0.086), whereas the feed conversion ratio tended to decrease (P = 0.092) with increased DDGS inclusion levels. The CP intake increased linearly (P < 0.01) with an increase in DDGS levels. However, the intakes of DM, OM, NDF, and ADF increased quadratically (P < 0.01) and showed a quadratic maximum at 75% replacements group. The in vitro dry matter digestibility and 24 h-gas (ml) production linearly increased (P < 0.05) with increased DDGS inclusion levels, while the CH₄ (% total gas) and CH₄ (ml) showed a quadratic increase (P < 0.05). The metabolisable energy, ammonia nitrogen, and volatile fatty acid concentrations were higher for DDGS diets. Further, the Gompertz curve fitting of the gas production data revealed higher asymptotic volume with lower constant of integration (b) and rate of production (k) of the DDGS incubations. No significant differences were observed for any of the carcass characteristics, except for leg weight, which showed a linear increase (P < 0.05). Increased tendency was observed for EBW, loin eye area at 12th rib, and edible portion of the sheep fed DDGS groups. Further, the visceral organs and carcass composition did not show any significant differences, except for kidney weight (linear, P < 0.05). The income over feed cost (IOFC) was higher for 100% DDGS group with lower feed cost and higher income per Kg mutton. Replacing the traditional peanut cake with DDGS in the crop residue-based diets of growing lambs contributes to higher yields for producers.

Does the length of time dried distillers' grain with solubles substitution for soybean meal affect physiological indicators and meat quality in finishing lambs?

This study examined how inclusion of dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) in finishing lamb diets for different periods affects some physiological indicators and meat quality. A total of 40 male lambs were divided into four groups according to feeding regimen during the 120-day finishing period as follows: C120: no DDGS included in diet for 120 days; D120: DDGS included in diet for 120 days; D75: no DDGS included in diet for 45 days + DDGS included in diet for 75 days; D45: no DDGS included in diet for 75 days + DDGS included in diet for 45 days. Dietary inclusion rate of DDGS was 27.5%. Fattening performance and rumen parameters were not affected by treatment. Feeding regimens had no significant effect on meat quality except the instrumental tenderness and juiciness score. DDGS fed lambs had higher level of total trans fatty acids and n-6/n-3 ratio in meat. 10t-C18:1, 11t-C18:1 and 9c,11t conjugated linoleic acid contents of adipose tissue were higher in all the DDGS groups compared with C120 lambs (p < .001). These results suggest that soybean meal can be replaced with corn DDGS in lamb diets for up to 120 days during the finishing period with no adverse effects on some physiological response feedlot performance and meat quality.

Growth Performance and Carcass Traits Responses to Dried Distillers' Grain with Solubles Feeding of Growing Awassi Ram Lambs

Simple Summary

Corn grain is considered to be the most important crop in the world. Corn dried distiller grains with solubles is a by-product of ethanol production. It is included at 0, 125, or 25 g/kg in lambs’ diets. This inclusion reduced the cost of diet, indicating the good possibility of using it in small ruminant diets.

Abstract

This study considers the impact of dried distillers’ grain with solubles (DDGS) in diets of lambs. Randomly; 27 lambs were distributed to one of three diets. Diets were: a control diet (CON; n = 9), a 125 (DDGS125; n = 9) or a 250 g/kg DDGS (DDGS250; n = 9) of dietary dry matter (DM). The lambs were fed using these diets for 91 days. To assess carcass traits; five lambs were randomly selected at the end of the study. No significant differences were detected in intake and digestibility of DM; crude protein and fiber. Average daily gain did not differ among diets. Carcass characteristics did not differ among diets. With the exception of shear force and redness, which were greater in DDGS250 than in DDGS125 and CON diets, meat quality parameters were unaffected. Eye muscle area decreased in DDGS125 than in DDGS250 and CON diet. These results demonstrate that the feeding of lambs on DDGS at 125 or 250 g/kg DM did not have any impact on growth. These diets only had a simple effect on the characteristics of carcass and meat quality. These results suggest that it would be suitable to introduce these feeds into sheep nutrition in the future.

Effects of Partial Replacement of Conventional with Alternative Feeds on Nutrient Intake, Digestibility, Milk Yield and Composition of Awassi Ewes and Lambs

Simple Summary

Alternative feeds have been used to feed animals for decades by replacing traditional feeds to increase the profit of raising livestock. In this study, alternative feeds (dried distillers grains with solubles, carob pods, olive cake, and bread by-product) were fed to Awassi ewes and ewe lambs at 0, 200, and 400 g/kg. Chemical composition was similar among diets. Feed intake, body weight change, and milk yield did not differ among diets. Cost of milk production decreased in alternative feeds containing diets, with no negative effect on health, welfare, and productivity.

Abstract

Two experiments were done to assess the effects of alternative feeds (AF; dried distillers grains with solubles, carob pods, olive cake, and bread by-product) on lactating performance of ewes and digestibility and nitrogen (N) retention of lambs. Diets were: no AF (CON); 200 g/kg AF (AF200); and 400 g/kg AF (AF400). In Experiment 1, 27 Awassi ewes were randomly distributed into three groups, and each was fed one of the diets described before (9 ewes/diet). Evaluation of milk composition and yield was performed at the beginning of the experiment and on days 18, 36, and 54. In Experiment 2, 18 Awassi lambs were allocated to the same diets (6 ewe lambs/diet) during a 21-day trial (14 days housed individually in shaded pens and 7 days in metabolic cages). In Experiment 1, no differences in body weight (BW) of the ewes and their lambs were detected. With the exception of neutral detergent fiber intake, which was lower in the AF-containing diets compared with CON, dry matter, crude protein, and acid detergent fiber intake were not affected by dietary treatment. Milk yield and composition was comparable among diets, and the cost of milk production was lower in AF compared to CON diet. In Experiment 2, nutrient digestibility and N retention were not affected by the diet. Results showed the possibility of including different AF in ewe and lamb diets to mitigate production cost without negatively affecting intake, milk yield, and composition, digestibility, and animal welfare and health.