Lambs fed with increasing levels of grape pomace silage: Effects on productive performance, carcass characteristics, and blood parameters

• Published in: Livestock science Vol. 240; p. 104169
• Main Authors: Flores, Diego Rafael Martins, da Fonseca, Patrícia Alves Franco, Schmitt, Janaína, Tonetto, Cléber José, Junior, Adriano Garcia Rosado, Hammerschmitt, Rodrigo K., Facco, Daniela B., Brunetto, Gustavo, Nörnberg, José Laerte
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2020
• Subjects: Antioxidant; Copper; Grape residue; Lamb; Productive performance; Grape residue; Productive performance; Copper; Antioxidant; Lamb
• ISSN: 1871-1413; 1878-0490
• DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104169

•Inclusion of grape pomace silage from Vitis vinifera (cv. Bordeaux) to replace whole plant corn silage in diet of lambs modified feed conversion, weight gain and feed evaluation.•The lambs performance was altered with inclusion of grape pomace silage due to higher presence of lignified fractions.•Due to the higher lipid content of diets with grape pomace silage, carcass fat of lambs modified.•Copper levels identified in grape pomace silage did not cause poisoning in lambs. Grape pomace in sheep diet can keep the nutritional supply constant, however, due to extensive productive variability, grape residue may present nutritional and toxicological limitations. This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance, carcass characteristics, and blood parameters of lambs submitted to diets with increasing levels of grape pomace silage (GPS) as a partial replacement for whole corn silage. Twenty-four male lambs were fed diets with increasing GPS levels using a 50:50 forage/concentrate ratio. Chemical characterization of the diet, intake, weight gain and feed conversion, carcass characterization, and blood and histological evaluations were performed. A linear negative effect (p<0.05) was observed with the inclusion of increased GPS levels in relation to weight gain and dry matter intake. For feed conversion, a quadratic effect (p<0.05) was observed with increased inclusion levels of GPS. Only carcass cover fat was significantly modified (p<0.05) with GPS inclusion levels. Hematocrit and hepatic enzymes had an effect (p<0.05) over the experimental period, with values within the reference parameters, except for the GGT enzyme. Total phenolics were increased (p<0.05) over the experimental period, with higher values with increasing inclusion levels of GPS. Copper values in liver tissues were higher (p<0.05) with the inclusion of GPS levels. Although interactions in the productive performance of the animals with the inclusion of GPS were identified, the results did not alter carcass evaluation parameters except for modifications in the cover fat deposition. GPS can be used in the diet of lambs, as long as they are evaluated in relation to copper levels previously.