The Effect of Pelleting Rations of Varied Quality on Feed Utilization by Lambs

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Abstract
Three different rations were fed to 307 grade feeder lambs in six lots with two lots of lambs on each ration, one of the two being fed on meal and the other on pellets. The rations were: (a) alfalfa meal and ground yellow shelled corn; (b) timothy meal, ground yellow shelled corn, soybean oil meal, and molasses calculated to be approximately equal in total digestible nutrients and crude protein to the alfalfa meal and ground yellow shelled corn ration; and, (c) timothy meal and ground yellow shelled corn. The following conclusions are drawn: This trial indicated that pelleting alfalfa meal and corn was of slight value, hardly enough to warrant the cost of pelleting. The pelleting of rations containing timothy meal greatly increased economy as well as rate of gain. It is interesting to note that the two lots eating pelleted rations in which timothy was the roughage out-gained the control lots, 1 and 2, receiving alfalfa as a roughage indicating that lambs will make satisfactory gains on low quality roughages in self-fed rations if their daily feed consumption is adequate. The practical aspect of pelleting is the feasibility of using low quality roughages as a part of self-fed lamb fattening rations. Copyright © . .

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