EFFECT OF CRESCENT INCLUSION OF SUNFLOWER CAKE IN LAMB DIETS IN FEEDLOT: PERFORMANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF CARCASS

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the inclusion sunflower cake (Hellianthus annuus L.) in diets of feedlot sheep. It was used 20 crossbred Santa Inês lambs, intact males, initial body weight of 17 ± 1.4 kg and 120 days of age were confined for 70 days. The diets were constituted by grass hay, grain ground corn, soybean meal, mineral salt and increasing inclusions of sunflower cake (0, 15, 30 and 45%). At the end of the feedlot period, the animals were slaughtered. The average daily gain and body weight were not affected (P> 0.05) by the inclusion of sunflower cake. However, the dry matter intake was a linear increase (P <0.05), 640 g/day to 1035 g/day. The feed conversion increased (P <0.05) from 3.2 to 5.8. The cold carcass weight was 13.67 kg on average and was not influenced (P> 0.05) by the inclusion of sunflower cake. The subcutaneous fat thickness increased (P <0.05) between the level 1 mm 0% and 45% inclusive. The weights and yields of cuts and non carcass components were not affected (P> 0.05) by the inclusion of sunflower cake. The inclusion of sunflower cake increased feed conversion, but no influence on the weight of body parts of the sheep. It is recommended to include up to 15% of sunflower cake in diets of feedlot sheep.