Carry over effects of protein supplementation in growing lambs.

Abstract

CARRY-OVER EFFECTS OF PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTATION IN GROWING LAMBS E . ELUNG'ATTA* AND R l A l LENG* Animals recuperate and grow rapidly following periods of nutritional limitations,for a number of reasons (see Thomson et al. 1982). Carry-over effects were manifested as increases in growth and feed efficiency when cattle were given a maize-based diet in the feed-lot (see Leng, 1989). This occurred despite apparent compensatory gains in the intervening wet season, and have important implications for feed-lot management. We have commenced studies to investigate these carry-over effects. Groups of l&&s (20/group) were fed a wheat straw based diet containing urea and minerals or the same basal diet with 100 g/d cottonseed meal (CSM) for 8 weeks. They were then put onto an oaten chaff diet which was adequately supplemented with urea and minerals, The results are shown in Figs 1 & 2. These preliminary results indicate that balancing the nutrients in animals on low protein feeds is beneficial, as can improve subsequent performance. These studies are continuing with the same group of animals fed a concentrate based diet with or without bypass protein supplements. THOMSON,E.F, BICKEL,H and SCHURCH,A (1982). J.Aqric Sci Camb 98:183 LENG,R.A (1989) See these proceedings. l *Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Nutrition, University of New England, Armidale, N. S. W. 2351, Australia. 34A