Effects of Cotton Stalk and Sugar Beet Pulp Silage on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemistry, Rumen Fermentation, and Microbiota in Suffolk Ram Lambs
This study evaluated the effects of replacing whole-plant corn silage with cotton stalk and sugar beet pulp mixed silage at different substitution levels (0%, 30%, 60%, and 90%) on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, immune and antioxidant status, rumen fermentation characteristics, and bacterial microbiota in Suffolk ram lambs. The 60% replacement group showed the best overall performance. Rumen fluid samples were collected from 12 lambs (6 control, 6 treatment) for 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize the rumen bacterial community structure. This study provides a scientific basis for utilizing agricultural by-products in sheep feeding systems.