Forty–two weaned Sudan Desert lambs of both sexes were divided into three equal sex and age groups and were randomly assigned to one of three diets: Humra + limited amount of cottonseed cake and a complete ration (dura 44 % cottonseed cake 25% dry humra 29% salt 1.5% and vitamin minerals 0.5%). All diets were fed adlibitum for eleven weeks. Then differential feeding was stopped and each group was fed ad libitum on the complete ration for twelve weeks. Two lambs from both sexes were chosen at random for each nutritional treatment, and were slaughtered before the beginning of the trial. Half of the remaining lambs in each treatment was slaughtered at the end of the differential feeding period and the other half at the end of the trial. Generally, the live weight gain of lambs fed on Humra, with or without cottonseed cake, was poor whereas lambs fed on the complete ration made significantly (p

This study evaluated the economic viability of industrial production of complete diets for equine species, using three sources of fiber (dehydrated whole corn plant, dehydrated elephant grass, or Tifton 85 hay) submitted to two types of thermal processing (pelleting or extrusion). A survey and elaboration of costs from the agricultural production of roughage to the commercialization of the final product was conducted. Three scenarios were compared: S1 – basal price of complete diet (ingredients supplied together, but purchased separately); S2 – price of S1 plus 10%; S3 – price of S1 plus 20%. Profitability indicators applied were internal rate of return (IRR) and net present value (NPV). Simple payback was used to verify return on investment time. Sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the items that most influence the economic results. Simple payback ranged from one to six years. The highest values of IRR (>100% per year) and NPV were obtained for the extruded diets in scenario 3. Only the pelletized diet containing Tifton 85 hay in scenario 1 was not economically feasible, presenting negative IRR. The inputs make up the item with the greatest burden on the production process (mean 89%). Except for pelletized diet containing Tifton 85 hay in scenario 1, the other projects present IRR above the minimum attractiveness rate (MAR) and were considered economically feasible.