Cottonseed Cake Levels in Feedlot Lambs Diets

This study evaluated how different concentrations of this coproduct, in the diet, they affect consumption, digestibility, rumen pH, microbial synthesis, performance and carcass characteristics. The lambs were divided into five treatments receiving supplementation of 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28% of DM on intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal characteristics, animal performance, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics. Five lambs rumen-cannulated were used by a 5x5 Latin square design to evaluate nutritional characteristics, and 40 lambs were used to evaluate animal performance and carcass characteristics. CSC levels did not affect nutrient intake, pH and ruminal ammonia, but the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, non-fiber carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients decreased linearly. There was no effect of CSC on the excretion of purine derivative, urinary volume, and N microbial flow. Also, CSC levels did not affect average daily gain and dry matter intake or carcass weight, yield percentage, subcutaneous fat and meat pH, but a quadratic effect of CSC on shear strength was observed. It is concluded that despite the negative effects on digestibility, CSC can be included in diets for feedlot lambs up to 28% DM, not affecting intake and animal performance.