2002, Number 2
Fattening of steers fed on an integral diet of fresh swine excrement, molasses and Taiwan grass (Pennisetum purpureum)
Language: Spanish
References: 16
Page: 94-99
PDF size: 28.67 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the weight change, intake and feed efficiency of confined steers through the adaptation and fattening period using an integral diet of fresh swine excrement (FSE), molasses and Taiwan grass, compared with a conventional diet of comercial food (cereal basis) and Taiwan grass.Material and methods. Twelve crossbred steers (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) of 271.3 ± 51.9 kg of body weight were divided in two homogeneous groups and fattened until reaching 450 kg liveweight one group was fed with an integral diet based on fresh swine excrement (45%), molassesurea (31%) and chopped Taiwan Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) (24%) (Experimental Treatment, ET), and the other with a conventional diet using a balanced commercial feed (40%) and chopped Taiwan grass (60%) (Control Treatment, CT).
Results. Voluntary dry matter intake (VDMI) for ET was high from the second week of adaptation (2.8 kg/100 kg live-weight). No significant difference (p›0.05) was found at the end of the adaptation period (28 days) for daily live weight gain (DLWG) between CT (0.982 kg) and ET (0.798 kg), although VDMI and feed conversion (FC) were slightly better for CT (7.56 vs 7.09 kg dry matter/head/day and 7.62 vs 8.89 kg dry matter/ kg weight gain). Animal performance during the fattening period was similar for both treatments, with DLWG of 0.677 for CT and 0.628 kg/head/ day for ET (p›0.05). However, although VDMI was slightly higher for CT (9.74 vs 8.77 kg DM/ head/day), FC was similar in both treatments (14.39 vs 13.96 kg DM/kg weight gain, for CT and ET, respectively).
Conclusions. It is concluded that using FSE in the fattening of confined steers, similar live weight gains can be obtained as those found on some conventional diets.
REFERENCES
Piñón GE, Rentería SI, Gutiérrez VE. Aislamiento de microorganismos patógenos (aeróbicos) en estiércol fresco de cerdo antes y después de ser utilizado como integrante en la dieta de toretes. En: Memorias del I Encuentro Universitario de Investigación Científica, Tecnológica y Humanística. EMVZ-UMSNH. Morelia, Michoacán.1991; p. 9-12.
Yang Y, Liao CW, Hong CM, Chung. KT. Studies on the quantity and quality of swine wastes voided. In: Chung P. editors. Animal waste treatment and utilization. Proceedings of international symposium on biogas, microalgae & livestock wastes. Council for Agricultural Planning and Development. Taipei, Taiwán; 1980. P. 303-15.