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Effect of Wheat Bran Substitution for Corn and Dehydrated Alfalfa on Finishing Lambs

M. S. Islam
Department of Animal Science and Industry, Kansas State University, Kansas, USA

M. Khan
Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

A. Reza
Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Two trials with finishing lambs were conducted to study the effect of substituting wheat bran for either dehydrated alfalfa pellets or corn. In trial 1, the basal ration fed to lambs was compared by replacing dehydrated alfalfa (12.5%) with wheat bran. Growth responses to wheat bran or dehydrated alfalfa were not different (P>0.74). In trial 2, thirty-two lambs were blocked by weight and randomly assigned to four treatments consisting of the basal ration plus three different levels of wheat bran (22%, 46% and 68%) substituted for corn. The results indicated that animals on the control diet (without wheat bran) performed better (α = 0.5) than the three wheat bran diets, where the two lowest level of wheat bran diet either maintained or gained weight. Animals on the highest level of wheat bran lost weight. Gain response to the corn diet was higher (P<0.25 and P<0.003) than 22% and 46% wheat bran supplemented diets. Results also indicated that diet- A (control) and diet-C (46% wheat bran) had similar DM digestibilities, where as the diet-B (22% wheat bran) gave higher digestibilities for DM, ADF and NDF. ADF digestibility was very low in control diet (A) as compared to diet-B (22% wheat bran) and diet-C (46% wheat bran) because the control diet contained little fiber. Higher protein digestibility was observed in diet-A. Although, diet-B performed better than diet-C, Performance of diet-B was not parallel to that of diet-A and difference between diet-B and diet-C was not statistically significant (P>0.05).

Keywords: Finishing lambs, Digestion trial, Wheat bran, Growth performance

Location: Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-00-2008

End Date: 00-00-2008

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Feed

Objectives:

1. To explore the possibilities of using wheat bran in small ruminant feeding as an alternate feedstuff.

Methodology:

The whole experiment was divided into Trial 1 and Trial 2. In Trial 1 sixty lambs, weighing an average of 33 kg, were randomly allotted to 4 groups. They were housed in pens (4.6 × 15.25 m), 15 in each pen. Animals were kept without feed and water for 24 hours and then weighed on two consecutive days before starting the trial. The basal diet was composed of 64% corn, 25% dehydrated alfalfa. Fifty per cent of the dehydrated alfalfa in the diet was replaced by wheat bran. Two rations, the basal (control) and the treatment (12.5% wheat bran) were replicated once. The diets were isocaloric and met the NRC requirements of finishing lambs. The animals were fed twice daily for an 8 week period. On average, 1.5 kg feed was given to each animal daily. Fresh feed was offered daily and the refusals were collected and weighed. Orts (refusals) were assumed to be equivalent to fresh feed, because very little sorting was observed. To obtain intake parameter, orts were subtracted from the feed. All animals had free access to fresh water. Trial 2 was conducted for a 4 week period. Thirty-two lambs were blocked by weight, the average of which was 54 kg, and randomly assigned to 4 treatments to evaluate the effects of wheat bran on finishing lambs when supplemented at different levels to a corn diet. The treatments were: 1. Control - without wheat bran (A), 2. 22% wheat bran (B), 3. 46% wheat bran (C), 4. 68% wheat bran (D). Each group was housed in a 4.6 × 15.25 m pen. Feed was supplied twice daily at 7 am and 5 pm. The orts were collected, weighed and recorded and subtracted from the supplied feed to get the intake parameters. All animals had free access to fresh water. At the end of the trial, final weights of individual animals were recorded and compared with that of the initial weight in the different rations. In Trial 2, animal performance in terms of weight gain in different treatment groups were compared with that of control diet (without wheat bran) using the t-test. The value for the t-test with 14 degrees of freedom was obtained from Table that shows the calculated t-values (5.56, 4.72, 4.19) are greater than the tabulated (1.76) value, which concludes diet- A (control) performed better (α = 0.05) than treatment diets (diet B, C and D). In Trial 1, animal performance data were analysed as a completely randomized design. Statistical analyses of the experiment were performed using the GLM procedure of SAS. The result has interpreted using LSMEANS statement as follows, where A (control) and B (treatment) are statistically insignificant due to P value (P>0.741).

Source of Information: Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 38(1&2) : 61 – 66, 2009; ISSN 0003-3588

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Results also indicated that diet- A (control) and diet-C (46% wheat bran) had similar DM digestibility, where as the diet-B (22% wheat bran) gave higher digestibility for DM, ADF and NDF. ADF digestibility was very low in control diet (A) as compared to diet-B (22% wheat bran) and diet-C (46% wheat bran) because the control diet contained little fiber. Higher protein digestibility was observed in diet-A. Although, diet-B performed better than diet-C, Performance of diet-B was not parallel to that of diet-A and difference between diet-B and diet-C was not statistically significant (P>0.05).

Knowledge Management: Journal