R. Bras. Zootec.09/dez/2025;54:e20240093.
Productive performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot lambs fed corn grain silage rehydrated with different solutions
Thaís Campos de Freitas
, Edson Luis de Azambuja Ribeiro
, Valter Harry Bumbieris Junior
, Laiz Carolaine Firmino Rodrigues
, Filipe Alexandre Boscaro de Castro
, Gabriela Rodrigues de Paula
, Fernando Luiz Massaro Junior
, Francisco Fernandes Junior
, Fernando Augusto Grandis
, Francine Mezzomo Giotto
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to assess the productive performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot lambs fed corn grain silage rehydrated with different solutions. Twenty-eight Santa Inês ram lambs, approximately 75 days of age and with an average weight of 17.05±3.75 kg, were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments: dried corn grains (control); whey-rehydrated corn grain silage; water-rehydrated corn grain silage; and water + additive-rehydrated corn grain silage. For animal performance, dry matter intake, average daily weight gain, and feed conversion were evaluated. After 76 days on feedlot, with an average body weight of 31.76±3.44 kg, animals were slaughtered and carcass yield and morphometric measurements were measured. Particle size selection was evaluated by the Penn State Particle Separator for the refusals. Silage samples were also analyzed for pH, buffer capacity, and ammonia nitrogen content. Performance results were not affected by dietary treatments. On the other hand, differences were observed for dry matter intake per unit of metabolic weight, in which whey-rehydrated corn grain silage (69.58 kg/LW0.75) and dried corn grains (76.21 kg/LW0.75) exhibited the lowest intakes. The overall mean for dry matter intake was 0.949 kg/day. Since there were no differences in the results for performance and carcass characteristics of the animals among the experimental diets, the use of rehydrated silage is not recommended, as it could increase production costs when compared with dry corn grain. Regarding the lower feed intake observed when rehydrated corn grain silage with whey was used, further studies need to be carried out.
Palavras-chave: byproduct; digestibility; particle selection; Santa Inês; whey