Grape pomace silage on growth performance, carcass, and meat quality attributes of lambs

Massaro Junior, Fernando LuizBumbieris Junior, Valter HarryPereira, Elzânia SalesZanin, EdianeHorst, Egon HenriqueCalixto, Odimari Pricila PradoPeixoto, Eduardo Lucas TerraGalbeiro, SandraMizubuti, Ivone Yurika

ABSTRACT: Grape pomace is a by-product that can be ensiled and added to animal feed for a sustainable animal production. This study evaluated the effects of grape pomace silage (GPS) on the intake, performance, and carcass and meat quality of feedlot lambs. Twenty-four male lambs (21.5 ± 3.0 kg initial body weight) were distributed into pairs to four diets levels 0, 10, 20, and 30 % of GPS. The addition of grape pomace silage influenced only ether extract (EE) intake linearly without hindering consumption. The diet did not affect performance and meat quality attributes and carcass parameters, with average daily gain (ADG) of 0.235 kg d1, feed conversion 4.299, carcass conformation 2.7, compactness index 0.25 kg cm1, fat thickness 1.51 mm, loin eye area 13.9 cm2, pH 5.79, natural matter moisture 74.05 g 100 g1, and crude protein (CP) 19.94 g per 100 g1 of dry matter (DM). Grape pomace as could be used as silage in lamb diets with up to 30 % GPS, as the chemical composition of this by-product and the results indicate that GPS did not compromise performance, carcass traits, and meat quality.

1. intake
2. byproduct
3. nutrient
4. feed conversion
5. conformation