The impact of feeding corn dried distillers grains with solubles on milk yield and composition in lactating Awassi ewes and digestibility and N partitioning in Awassi ewe lambs

Abstract

The effect of corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on milk yield, milk composition and body weight (BW) and digestibility were evaluated by using lactating ewe (Exp. 1) and Awassi ewe lambs (Exp. 2). Dietary treatments were (1) no DDGS (CON), (2) 200 gkg À1 DDGS (DDGS200) or (3) 300 gkg À1 DDGS (DDGS300) of dietary dry matter (DM). In Exp. 1, 30 lactating Awassi ewes were randomly assigned to the corresponding diets. Nutrient intakes were determined daily throughout the experiment which lasted for 8 weeks. Body weights of ewes and lambs were measured on days 0, 28 and 56 of the study whilst milk yield and composition were recorded on days 18, 36 and 54. Ewe BW changes were similar amongst treatments. Ewes consuming the DDGS diet showed increased milk production (p<.045) over those provided the CON diet. Cost of diets and milk production reduced (p¼.01) in DDGS-containing diets compared with the CON diet. In Exp. 2, 18 Awassi ewe lambs were randomly assigned into the same dietary treatments and fed their diets for 21 days. Digestibility of DM and ADF was lower (p<.017) for the CON diet than for the DDGS diets. Digestibility of CP and NDF increased (p<.036) in the DDGS200 diet than the CON diet. Results indicate DDGS has the potential to be included up to 300 gkg À1 of dietary DM of DDGS in Awassi ewes' diets with no negative effects on production parameters whilst being cost effective. HIGHLIGHTS Cost of feed and milk production decreased in DDGS diets. Milk production increased in DDGS diets. Milk composition was similar among diets.

Effects of Partial Replacement of Conventional with Alternative Feeds on Nutrient Intake, Digestibility, Milk Yield and Composition of Awassi Ewes and Lambs

“…All animals completed the experiment without any noticeable health problems or disorders. In agreement with our results, previous studies have shown that the use of AF did not affect the health status of the animals [6,7,8,9,10]. In the current study, no effect on DM, CP, and ADF intake was found.…”

“…Moreover, BW change and ADG of nursing Awassi ewes and their lambs did not differ between treatment diets with 100, 150, and 200 g/kg DM of BB [16]. Alshdaifat and Obeidat [9] reported no impact on BW change of nursing ewes or ADG of their suckling lambs by replacing soybean meal with DDGS. Morricall [23] also found no difference in the BW of ewes and lamb total gain when nursing ewes were fed DDGS diets compared to basal diets.…”

“…Due to the increased international demand for these feeds, their prices have increased significantly, which has led to increased pressure on sheep producers. Researchers are therefore interested in the use of cheap alternative feeds (AF) in livestock diets, such as bread by-products (BB), carob pods (CARP) [8], olive cake (OC) [7], and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) [9,10]. In addition, the use of these feeds would reduce pollution for the environment if it remains without disposal.…”

The Inclusion of Black Cumin Meal Improves Growth Performance of Growing Awassi Lambs

“…Similarly, a beneficial impact was observed when BCM was included at 53 and 106 g/kg in diets of growing calves [ 8 ], when included at 125 g/kg in lambs and calves diet [ 7 ], when included at 350 g/kg in camel diet [ 21 ] or when included at 50 or 100 g/kg in rabbit diets [ 22 ]. In agreement, other studies reported the economic impact of using agro-industrial by-products in feeding livestock [ 3 , 14 , 23 ]. In addition to these beneficial effects, the use of BCM and other oil cakes as alternative feeds in livestock diet would diminish environment pollution compared to if they were wasted [ 4 ].…”

Replacing Soybean Meal with Sesame Meal in the Diets of Lactating Awassi Ewes Suckling Single Lambs: Nutrient Digestibility, Milk Production, and Lamb Growth

“…Feeding, sampling procedure, and chemical analysis were carried out as described by Alshdaifat and Obeidat [9]. Briefly, feed refusals were weighed, recorded, and sampled to accurately measure nutrient intakes.…”