Effect of whole and rolled corn or barley on growth and carcass quality of lambs.
Lambs were assigned to a 2x2 factorial design with corn or barley fed either whole or rolled. Hay was fed for ad libitum intake while concentrates were fed in similar amounts. Dry matter intake of hay, ADG, the gain:feed ratio, and warm carcass weight (WCW) were higher (P<0.05) for lambs fed corn than for those fed barley. Cereal processing had no effect (P>0.05) on hay dry matter intake, ADG, the gain:feed ratio, and WCW. Time of fattening (23-46kg) was similar (P>0.05) among treatments. Carcass characteristics generally were similar among treatments. Corn was more beneficial than barley to increase the ADG and carcass weight.
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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, PO Box 90, QC, J1M 1Z3, Lennoxville, Canada