Performance of feedlot lambs fed with diets based on sunflower meal

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of inclusion levels of sunflower meal in feedlot lamb diets on animal productive performance. Forty crossbreed lambs, not castrated, with average initial body weight of 20.17±2.66 kg were feed levels of 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28% of sunflower meal in the diet (dry basis). The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design. The inclusion of sunflower meal in the diet did not affect average dry matter intake (883.58 g per day), feed conversion (4.40), and average water intake (2.59 L per day). The increase in the levels of sunflower meal linearly reduced final weight, total weight gain, average daily gain, and loin eye area. The inclusion level of up to 28% does not affect the average intake of dry matter and water, but reduces animal performance and loin eye area. To obtain the lowest cost with the diet, the inclusion level of sunflower meal can reach up to 28% of dry matter, when its price represents up to 40% of the price of corn and soybean meal blend.