R. Bras. Zootec.30/out/2026;55:e20250116.
Financial analysis of finishing lambs fed a tropical grass hay-based diet containing rehydrated corn silage inoculated with autochthonous microorganisms
Débora Fernandes Vieira Soares
, Thayanna Glória Scofield Colen Sedlmayer
, Nathalia Stefanie Leite de Moraes
, Luís Pedro Advincula Costa Ruas
, Valdo Soares Martins Júnior
, Hemilly Cristina Menezes de Sá
, Bruna Maria Salotti de Souza
, Eduardo Robson Duarte
, Luciano Soares de Lima
ABSTRACT
We evaluated the effects of adding fungal inoculants composed of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Trichoderma longibrachiatum to rehydrated corn silage fed to lambs receiving a tropical grass hay-based diet and their impact on financial viability. The effects of combined inoculation on dry matter intake (DMI) and weight gain were analyzed. A total of 22 male Dorper × Santa Ines crossbred lambs, with an average body weight of 14.20 ± 1.74 kg, were randomly assigned to two treatments: (1) control (CTL), without inoculant and receiving only the culture medium; and (2) inoculated (INO), with the addition of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Trichoderma longibrachiatum. The experimental diets were formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of finishing lambs. The animals were fed a total mixed ration offered ad libitum, with 20% orts, containing 500 g/kg of dry matter (DM) as Tifton hay. The lambs were housed in individual cages equipped with feeders, drinkers, and a funnel to direct excreta. The combination of microorganisms reduced DMI (P<0.05), with values of 102.51 g/kg BW0.75/d in the control group and 91.79 g/kg BW0.75/d in the treatment group. However, lambs fed INO and CTL diets showed similar feed-to-gain ratios and final body weights after 63 days in the feedlot, with values of 30.50 and 31.39, respectively (P>0.05). In addition, lambs fed INO showed better overall profit (4.54 US$/head or 0.29 US$/kg BW) than those fed CTL (P<0.05). Feeding finishing lambs with rehydrated corn silage inoculated with Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Trichoderma longibrachiatum improves financial viability by reducing feed costs.
Palavras-chave: feed-to-gain ratio; intake; production cost; revenue; total benefit; weight gain