[Brewer's grains silage in steer fattening]
1997
Morel, I. | Lehmann, E. (Eidg. Forschungsanstalt fuer Nutztiere (RAP), Posieux (Switzerland))
In a feeding trial with 4 groups of young bulls, each group consisting of 15 animals, suitability of brewer's grains silage for young fattening bulls was studied. Brewer's grains silage was distributed in addition to a maize silage based ration. "Tt" animals were fed 0.5 kg DM per animal per day at the beginning of the trial and 1.0 kg during the finishing period. "Th" animals were given 1.0 kg and 2.0 kg, respectively. In a third experimental variant (Th+) a mixture with a buffer substance, aiming at stabilising the pH in the rumen, was added to a ration identical with "Th". The basal ration of the control group contained only maize silage. The "Tt" level of brewer's grains led to performances (daily gain, feed conversion, carcass quality) comparable to those of the control group. The "Th" animals had a lower DM and energy uptake and a reduced growth rate as compared with the control group. This was attributed to a latent acidosis in the finishing period. By adding buffer substances the negative effects of the higher grain silage level were counterbalanced, the intake was higher and the performances comparable to the ones of the control group. Due to its higher protein content, brewer's grains silage has proved an interesting feed for fattening cattle, since it allows part of the protein concentrates for supplementing low-protein rations to be replaced. However, this feed requires skilful conservation and feeding techniques
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