Impact of different levels of low-fat dried distillers grains on performance of young Nellore bulls during the finishing phase.

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of including low-fat dried distillers grains (DDG) on young Nellore bulls performance, nutritional parameters, and nitrogen metabolism. Thirty-five Nellore cattle were randomly divided into four diets: without dried distillers grains (D0) or with the inclusion of DDG at 150\u2009g/kg (D150), 300\u2009g/kg (D300), or 450\u2009g/kg (D450). The evaluation period lasted 126\u2009days, and three periods of collection of feces and urine were carried out. Final body weight (P\u2009=\u20090.099) and average daily gain (P\u2009=\u20090.097) tended to decrease linearly; the digestibility of dry matter (P\u2009<\u20090.001), organic matter (P\u2009<\u20090.001), ether extract (P\u2009<\u20090.001) and nonfiber carbohydrates (P\u2009<\u20090.001), and intakes of total digestible nutrients (TDN, P\u2009<\u20090.001) decreased linearly. The increase in crude protein intake (P\u2009<\u20090.001) did not result in an increase in the amount of nitrogen retained (P\u2009=\u20090.540). We concluded that the inclusion of low-fat DDG in finishing diets up to the level of 450\u2009g/kg tends to reduce animal performance and the intake of TDN.