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Intensive beef production. II. Replacement of cereals with ground straw

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

M. Kay
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB2 9SB
A. Macdearmid
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB2 9SB
R. Massie
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB2 9SB
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Summary

1. A growth trial was carried out with 21 Friesian steers given diets containing either 0%, 30% or 50% ground straw, and concentrates up to 100%.

2. Steers offered the diet containing 0% straw consumed less dry matter per day than steers on the other two treatments.

3. Rates of live-weight gain were 1·20, 1·04 and 0·87 kg/day for the three treatments respectively, and carcass gains were 690, 550 and 440 g/day.

4. Killing-out percentage dropped and alimentary-tract fill increased as the proportion of straw in the diet increased.

5. The dry-matter digestibility coefficients for the three diets, determined at maximal intake, were 79·1%, 62·3% and 56·6%, respectively.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1970

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References

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