Levels of Sunflower Crushed in Diets for Feedlot Lambs About the Performance and Quality of Carcass

This study aimed to evaluate the performance, carcass characteristics and meat from feedlot lambs receiving sunflower crushed in the diet on partial replacement of soybean meal. The experimental design was randomized block with four levels of sunflower crushed in the diet (0, 10, 20, 30% DM). There was a linear reduction of 0.02; 0.003; 0.003 and 0.17% for each percentage unit of added sunflower crushed in the diet, respectively, for the intake of dry matter, crude protein, daily weight gain and feed conversion. There was a significant linear decrease of 0.15; 0.11 and 0.12% in slaughter weight, hot carcass and cold carcass, respectively when increased 1% in the inclusion of sunflower crushed in the diet. The use of sunflower crushed did not influence the biological yield and characteristics of marbling, texture and color of the meat. The use of sunflower crushed can be used in supplements for lambs in intensive production systems in partial replacement of soybean meal by up to 10%.