Pelleted Rations Compared to Similar Rations Fed Chopped or Ground for Steers and Lambs

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Abstract
Similar rations were fed as pellets and as meal, chopped or long hay to both lambs and steers to compare pellets to more conventional methods of feed preparation. Pelleting was particularly advantageous for both steers and lambs when straight roughage rations were compared. Gains and feed intake were increased. Steers fed a constant feed of 2 lb. of barley consumed more feed and made larger gains when fed pellets compared to long hay. The addition of 30% concentrates to the pelleted rations did not significantly increase the gains of either lambs or steers, but did increase feed efficiency. At the 30% concentrate level the pellet-fed lambs performed better than lambs fed chopped hay and barley; however, with the steers the differences in performance between meal and pellets at this concentrate level were non-significant. Steers fed 60% concentrate pellets consumed less feed, and gained less and their carcasses contained less fat than steers fed the same ration in meal form. The pellet-fed steers were more efficient in converting their feed to gain. Possible reasons for the differing effect of pelleting at various concentrate levels are discussed. A lamb digestion trial was used to study the alfalfa in chopped and pelleted form with and without added barley. Protein digestibility showed little difference. Fiber digestibility was lower for the pelleted rations compared to the chopped rations, particularly when barley was included in the ration. Pelleting did not affect the total digestible nutrient content of the lamb rations. Copyright © . .