Utilization of Pine Sawdust as a Roughage Substitute in Beef Finishing Rations

Abstract
A feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of sawdust as a roughage source in high energy beef cattle finishing rations. Rations studied were (1) all concentrate, (2) 15% ground alfalfa, (3) 15% raw pine sawdust, and (4) 5% alfalfa with 10% sawdust. Feedlot performance, feed conversion, nor carcass quality were adversely affected by inclusion of 10% sawdust in the total ration. The addition of roughage, alfalfa and/or sawdust, significantly reduced the occurrence of liver abcesses. Copyright © 1974. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1974 by American Society of Animal Science