The use of coarsely milled barley straw in finishing diets for young beef cattle

Abstract

SummaryAn experiment was carried out in which young beef cattle were given diets containing different levels of coarsely milled (1 in screen) barley straw. The proportions of straw used were 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 % and the performance of animals on these diets was compared with that of similar animals on an all concentrate diet. Each diet was given ad libitum to six animals. There was a significant linear decline in live-weight gain with increasing straw intake, the rate of decline being 0·62 ± 0·133 kg per week for each 10 % increase in the level of straw in the diet. The dry matter conversion ratio increased linearly with increasing straw intake, the rate of increase being 0·65 ± 0·186 units for each 10 % increase in straw in the diet. Dry matter intake was significantly (P < 0·001) affected by the proportion of straw in the diet. Although dry matter intake increased to a maximum at a level of 18·8% straw in the diet there was no significant increase in the intake of digestible organic matter (DOMI). There was a significant (P < 0·001) linear decline of 0·19 ± 0·04 kg DOMI with each 10% increase in straw in the diet. There was a significant linear decline in chilled carcase weight to the extent of 5·7 ± 0·096 kg for each 10% increase in straw. The killing-out percentage based on unfasted live weight declined significantly as the percentage of straw in the diet rose from 20 to 30%. However, when the killing-out percentage was calculated on the basis of live weight at slaughter less rumen contents there was no significant difference between treatments.