Use of Soybean Hulls in Broiler Litter-Based Diets Fed to Beef Cattle

Abstract

Gurung, N.K. and Rankins, Jr., D.L. 2001. Use of soybean hulls in broiler litter-based diets fed to beef cattle. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 19: 193–201.

Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing com with soybean hulls (SH) in broiler litter (BL)-based diets on nutrient digestibilities and growth rate. Trial 1: 32 predominantly Angus steers (initial body weight = 274±16 kg) were fed one of four diets over a 112-day period (four steers/pen; two pens/diet). The diets were as follows: 1) 500 g/kg BL and 500 g/kg cracked, corn (corn), 2) 500 g/kg BL, 375 g/kg corn and 125 g/kg SH, 3) same as # 2 and 4) 500 g/kg BL, 250 g/kg corn and 250 g/kg SH. Diets 1, 3 and 4 were supplemented with 1.55 kg of chopped Coastal Bermuda grass hay per steer per day. Diet 2 received no hay. Total, daily dry matter intake and average daily gains were increased by hay supplementation (P<0.05). Addition of soybean hulls increased average daily gains in a linear manner (P<0.05). Soybean hull addition had a quadratic effect on apparent digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, gross energy, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and crude protein (P<0.05). Trial 2: 60 Angus X Charolais heifers (initial body weight = 193±14 kg) were allowed to one, of the following five diets (four heifers/pen, there pen/diet). 1),500 g/kg BL and 500 g/kg corn, 2) 500 g/kg BL. 375 g/kg corn and 125 g/kg SH. 3)500 g/kg BL, 250 g/kg Corn and 250 g/kg SH, 4) 500 g/kg BL, 125 g/kg corn and 375 g/kg SH, and 5) 500 g/kg BL and 500 g/kg SH There were no differences in total daily feed intakes between diets (P>0.05) and average daily gains were also similar between treatments (P>0.05)

Keywords:

• Broiler litter
• Soybean hulls
• Beef cattle