Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Animal Science Research Institute of Iran
2 2. Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Animal Sciences Research Institute of Iran, Gavdasht Station, Babol. Iran.
3 Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Animal Sciences Research Institute of Iran, Gavdasht Station, Babol. Iran.
Abstract
Limited availability of conventional livestock feed resources in Iran, along with the growing human population and its food demands, has made it difficult to fully meet the nutritional requirements of the national herd using traditional forage crops such as alfalfa and corn. Consequently, experts and livestock authorities have explored alternative options, including the use of agricultural and livestock residues and the cultivation of unconventional forage crops. Among these alternatives, fodder beet has attracted considerable attention in recent years due to its high biomass yield, ease of cultivation, relative drought tolerance, cost-effectiveness under water-limited conditions, and high palatability. This study aimed to compare the effects of total mixed ration silage (TMRS) based on fodder beet with that based on triticale forage on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood parameters in male lambs.
Methods:
Based on nutrient requirements of small ruminants (NRC, 2007), two isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated: 1. Fodder beet TMRS, containing leaves and roots; 2. Triticale TMRS, made from whole crop triticale forage. All ingredients, including forage and concentrate portions, were thoroughly mixed and ensiled in 100-ton plastic-wrapped bunker silos using specialized machinery. Twenty-four male Zel lambs (3–4 months old; average body weight 18.7 ± 2.7 kg) were randomly allocated into two equal groups (n=12). Each group was subdivided into four replicates (3 lambs per replicate) and assigned one of the experimental diets. The feeding trial lasted 90 days, during which lambs were fed ad libitum twice daily (08:00 and 16:00). Feed intake was recorded daily, and body weight was measured monthly. Digestibility was estimated via fecal collection, and blood parameters were analyzed using commercial biochemical kits.
Results:
Although lambs fed the fodder beet-based silage showed higher average daily gain (143 g) than those fed triticale-based silage (132 g), the difference was not statistically significant. However, dry matter intake was significantly higher in the fodder beet group (949 g/day vs. 917 g/day; p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the feed conversion ratio between two groups. Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and NDF was significantly higher in the fodder beet group (p<0.05). Additionally, blood concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol were significantly greater in the fodder beet-fed lambs compared to the triticale group (p<0.05), but no significant difference was observed in the other blood concentrations between two groups.
Conclusion:
Overall, considering the nutritional and agronomic advantage of fodder beet, it-based TMRS can be recommended (as a new physical form of ration) as an innovative and efficient feeding strategy for finishing male lambs.
Keywords
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