Effect of supplementation of distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS) to straw-based diet on performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in Nellore ram lambs

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-4620971/v1

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Effect of supplementation of distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS) to straw-based diet on performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in Nellore ram lambs

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4620971/v1

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Straw-based diets supplemented with different levels of distillers’ dried grain with solubles (DDGS) were assessed in growing sheep through a growth trial. In a completely randomized design, twenty-four growing ram lambs (16.07±1.78 kg; 4 m old) received either a basal diet (sorghum stover) supplemented with a concentrate mix (18% crude protein) at 2% body weight (D1) or a basal diet supplemented with DDGS at 1% (D2), 1.5% (D3), or 2% (D4) of their body weight for 90 days. While the total feed intake was comparable (P>0.05) among the lambs fed different experimental diets, the D3 and D4 diets significantly improved the average daily gain by 36.20% and 49.33%, respectively, and reduced the feed conversion ratio by 30.10% and 32.90%, respectively, compared to the D1 diet. Although the D3 and D4 groups showed statistically similar growth performance, the D3-fed lambs had a lower cost-effective gain at ₹76.30/kg than did the D4 group at ₹89.79/kg. The D4 group displayed significantly greater pre-slaughter, empty body, and carcass weights (P<0.05). Nonetheless, the dressing percentage, wholesale cut yield, and meat composition were not significantly different (P>0.05) among the different dietary groups. Similarly, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the wholesale cut yield, body wall thickness, loin eye area, visceral organ yield, meat-to-bone ratio, or meat chemical composition among the four dietary treatments. It was concluded from the present study that supplementing DDGS at 1.5% of body weight to a stover-based diet in growing ram lambs seems to be a viable and economical option.

DDGS

supplementation

Nellore ram lambs

growth

carcass characteristics

meat quality

Sheep farming in India mainly depends on grazing on pastures, wastelands, and fallow lands. This system is now experiencing major obstacles caused by the decrease in grazing land due to urbanization and industrialization, water scarcity, climate change affecting pasture/forage growth, and shifting land-use patterns. For these reasons, India is experiencing a shortage of 11.40% green fodder, 23.40% dry fodder, and concentrated feed (28.90%) (IGFRI, 2022), limiting its potential for small ruminant production. Therefore, it is essential to investigate and effectively utilize new feed sources. In recent years, distillers’ dried grain with solubles (DDGS), a byproduct of ethanol manufacturing, has gained popularity as a potential animal feed option. Research and Markets (2023) revealed an increasing preference for the incorporation of DDGS in animal feed, with an estimated compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%. Owing to its high energy and protein content, DDGS could serve as a feasible alternative feed resource for conventional concentrate mixtures. Despite the established knowledge of the nutritional value of DDGS, little scientific documentation is available regarding the optimum level of DDGS supplementation for low-quality roughage. This knowledge gap requires further investigation. Hence, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of supplementation of sorghum straw-based diets with different levels of DDGS on growth, feed efficiency, cost economics, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in growing Nellore ram lambs.

Site of study and ethical statement

The experiment was conducted at the College of Veterinary Science, Tirupati, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (13° 63′ N, 79° 42′ E; 545 m above sea level), India. During the study period, the ambient temperature ranged from 30°C to 42°C and the relative humidity ranged from 34 to 41%. The experimental procedures involving ram lambs were approved by the Institute's Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) at Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU) in compliance with the guidelines established by the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA).

Experimental diets

The lambs were fed one of four different diets throughout the study period. All the diets included sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) stover as the basal roughage source. The control diet (D1) was supplemented with a conventional concentrate mixture at 2% of the animal body weight (BW), and the remaining three diets (D2, D3, and D4) were supplemented with DDGS at 1, 1.5, and 2% BW. The conventional concentrate mixture with 18% crude protein (CP) was formulated with locally available feed ingredients, such as maize grain, soybean meal, and de-oiled rice bran. The composition of the conventional concentrate mixture is presented in Table 1.

Experimental animals and rearing

Twenty-four growing Nellore ram lambs with an average body weight of 16.07 ± 1.78 kg (aged 4 m) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (n = 6 per treatment) in a completely randomized design (CRD) for a 90-day growth trial. All lambs were maintained under hygienic conditions in well-ventilated pens (4m×3 m). Before the experiment, all lambs were deticked, dewormed, and vaccinated against enterotoxaemia and peste des petits ruminants (PPR). Lambs were offered the respective experimental diets twice daily (09:00 and 15:00) throughout the 90-day trial. A concentrate mixture (D1) or DDGS (D2, D3, and D4) was offered first in the morning at 2.0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0% of BW, respectively, followed by chaffed sorghum stover ad lib. Leftovers were collected and weighed 24 h after delivery to determine actual feed consumption. Clean and fresh drinking water was made available throughout the experimental period while maintaining hygienic conditions.

Live weight recording

Live weight was measured individually for all lambs at 10-day intervals throughout the experimental period following 16 h of feed withdrawal. Body weights were recorded on two consecutive days, and the average of these two measurements was used to represent the body weight at that time point. The average daily gain (ADG) for each lamb was determined by dividing the total weight gain in grams during the experimental period by the duration of the experiment in days. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was determined by dividing the daily amount of feed consumed (dry matter basis) by ADG. The cost of feed (₹) per kilogram of weight increase was determined by dividing the total cost of feed by total weight gain (kg).

Chemical analysis

Proximate analysis of the feed, feces, residues, and nitrogen content of the urine was performed using the procedures described by Horwitz et al. (1997). Similarly, fiber fractions in the feed, feces, and residues were determined using the methods described by Van Soest (1982) and Van Soest et al. (1991).

Carcass studies

After the experiment, all 24 lambs (six per treatment) were humanely slaughtered following halal slaughter procedures after 16 h of feed withdrawal. Live weights were recorded immediately before slaughter. Striping, legging, and evisceration were performed according to the established protocols (Gerrand, 1964). Hot carcass weight and edible (liver, heart, testes, diaphragm, kidneys, and spleen) and non-edible (blood, trachea, lungs, stomach, and intestines) offal weights were recorded. Following dressing, the carcasses were separated into five commercially relevant primal cuts, namely, the leg, loin, rack, shoulder, and neck and fore shank, with brisket as suggested by the National Livestock and Meat Board of the United States of America (Brandly et al., 1968).

Statistical analysis

The data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics program (v23.0; IBM Corp.), following the procedures recommended by Snedecor and Cochran (1994). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using a generalized linear model to evaluate how dietary treatment affected all measured variables. Duncan's multiple range test (Duncan, 1955) was used to separate means post hoc at a significance level of P < 0.05 or 0.01.

Growth study

The chemical compositions (proximate and fiber fractions) of the basal feed (sorghum stover), concentrate mixture, and DDGS are presented in Table 1. DDGS had significantly higher levels of crude protein (CP, 32.30%) and ether extract (EE, 11.20%) than the concentrate mixture (CP, 18.4%; EE, 2.22%) and sorghum stover (CP, 6.68%; EE, 1.15%). Interestingly, despite having the lowest crude fiber (CF) content (7.85%) compared with the concentrate mixture (9.45%), DDGS exhibited slightly higher concentrations of both neutral detergent fiber (NDF, 44.70%) and acid detergent fiber (ADF, 19.10%) than the concentrate mixture (NDF, 31.10%; ADF, 16.80%).

Table 1. Chemical composition (% DMB) of the experimental feeds

Nutrient	Concentrate mixture	DDGS	Sorghum stover
Proximate principles
Dry matter	88.00	89.50	93.50
Organic matter	89.40	94.50	91.10
Crude protein	18.40	32.30	6.68
Ether extract	2.22	11.20	1.15
Crude fiber	9.45	7.85	40.0
Nitrogen free extract	59.3	43.10	43.30
Total ash	10.60	5.54	8.87
Fiber fractionations
Neutral detergent fiber	31.10	44.70	69.80
Acid detergent fiber	16.80	19.10	46.00
Hemicellulose	14.30	25.60	23.80
Cellulose	10.50	15.90	35.40
Lignin	3.43	2.90	8.77

Each value is the average of duplicate analyses.

On a dry matter basis, except for dry matter

Table 2 shows a significant difference (P<0.01) in the average daily gain (ADG) of lambs fed various experimental diets. Lambs fed Diet D4 achieved the highest ADG, followed by lambs fed Diet D3, and the control group (D1). Compared with the control, diets D2, D3, and D4 resulted in increases in ADG by 7.44%, 36.30%, and 49.30%, respectively. ADG was significantly higher in lambs fed the D4 diet than in those fed the D1 and D2 diets; however, ADG was not significantly (P>0.05) different between lambs fed the D3 and D4 diets.

Table 2. Effect of supplementation with different levels of DDGS in a straw-based diet on the performance of growing Nellore ram lambs

Parameter	Diet				SEM
Parameter	D1	D2	D3	D4	SEM
Initial b.wt (kg)	16.00	16.10	16.10	16.10	0.36
Final b.wt (kg)	24.10^b	24.60^ab	27.10^ab	28.20^a	0.67
Weight gain (kg)	8.10^b	8.56^b	11.10^a	12.10^a	0.46
ADG (g)	90.10^c	96.80^bc	122.80^ab	134.50^a	5.06
Supplement intake (kg/d)	0.47^a	0.24^c	0.38^b	0.51^a	0.02
Stover intake (kg/d)	0.40^b	0.58^a	0.45^ab	0.38^b	0.02
Total feed intake (kg/d)	0.87	0.82	0.83	0.88	0.03
Total feed intake (kg)	78.20	73.50	74.90	79.20	2.32
FCR (kg/kg gain)	9.78^b	8.63^b	6.77^a	6.56^a	0.36

Each value is the average of six observations.

^{a, b, c}Values with different superscripts in a row differ significantly (P<0.01)

Although the total feed intake (dry matter) did not change significantly (P>0.05) across the experimental diets, there was a significant difference (P<0.01) in the feed conversion ratio (FCR; P<0.01), with values ranging from 6.56 to 9.78 (Table 2). Lambs fed D4 had the highest FCR, followed by those fed D3, D2, and D1. The cost of feed (₹) per kilogram of live weight gain was found to be in the range of ₹ 71.60 to 119.8 among the D1, D2, D3, and D4-fed groups. Statistical analysis revealed that the price (₹) of feed per kilogram of weight gain was higher in group D1 and lower in group D2 than in group D4, with a very high level of significance (P<0.01). Furthermore, the cost of feed per kilogram of gain decreased by 40.23%, 36.39%, and 25.13% in the D2, D3, and D4 diet groups, respectively, compared to that in the control (D1) group (Table 3).

Table 3. Effect of supplementation of different levels of DDGS in a straw-based diet on the cost economics of growing Nellore ram lambs

Parameter	Diet				SEM
Parameter	D1	D2	D3	D4	SEM
Cost of feed/d (₹)	10.60^ab	6.65^c	9.37^b	12.00^a	0.47
Cost/kg gain (₹)	119.80^a	71.60^c	76.30^cb	89.70^b	4.50
Carcass wt (kg)	12.20	12.30	14.00	14.50	0.39
*Carcass value	5.48	5.53	6.28	6.50	0.18
**Profit per animal	1.07^b	1.57^a	1.92^a	1.95^a	0.10

Each value is the average of six observations.

^{a, b, c}values with different superscripts in a row differ significantly (P<0.01)

*The carcass value was estimated by assuming a bid price of ₹ 450/kg (derived from local market price) and expressed in thousands

**Profit per animal (₹ thousand) was estimated as selling value (₹ 250/kg live weight) - (purchase price + feed cost), while calculating feed cost, cost of concentrate mixture, DDGS, and sorghum stover were taken as ₹ 20.70/kg, ₹ 22.00/kg, and ₹ 2.30/kg, respectively (derived from local market price).

Carcass characteristics and meat quality

As shown in Table 4, lambs fed the D4 diet had significantly higher (P<0.05) pre-slaughter weight and empty body weight than those fed the D1 diet. The hot carcass weight in the D4 group was also significantly higher (P<0.05) than in the D1 group. However, dressing percentages based on pre-slaughter and empty body weights did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among the diet groups.

Table 4. Effect of supplementation of different levels of DDGS to a straw-based diet on dressing percentage in growing Nellore ram lambs

Parameter	Diet				SEM
Parameter	D1	D2	D3	D4	SEM
Slaughter Data
Pre-slaughter weight (kg)	24.10^b	24.80^ab	27.10^ab	28.20^a	0.67
Empty body weight(kg)	21.30^b	21.90^ab	23.70^ab	24.30^a	0.68
Hot carcass weight (kg)	12.20^b	12.30^b	14.00^ab	14.50^a	0.34
Dressing percentage
On pre-slaughter weight	50.40	49.50	51.30	51.20	0.42
On an empty body weight	57.20	56.20	58.90	59.40	0.41

Each value is the average of six observations.

^{a, b}Values with different superscripts in a row differ significantly (P<0.05)

The data presented in Table 5 show that the different experimental diets did not have significant effects (P>0.05) on carcass characteristics. Specifically, the percentage of wholesale cuts, body wall thickness (cm), and lion eye area at the 12th rib (cm2) remained unaffected (P>0.05) in all groups. Furthermore, the yields of visceral organs (% of pre-slaughter weight), such as the liver, kidney, heart, testes, diaphragm, full and empty gastrointestinal tract (GIT), spleen, lungs with trachea, skin, head, and blood, were not significantly altered (P>0.05) by the type or level of supplementation. Similarly, no significant (P>0.05) differences were detected in the bone and meat yields (%) or their ratios in the whole carcass among the experimental diets.

Table 5. Effects of different levels of DDGS supplemented with straw-based diets on the number of wholesale cuts, body wall thickness, loin eye area, visceral organs (% pre-slaughter weight), and carcass composition (% of carcass) in growing Nellore ram lambs

Parameter	Diet				SEM
Parameter	D1	D2	D3	D4	SEM
Wholesale cuts (% carcass weight)
Brisket and foreshank	16.90	16.90	15.90	16.50	0.46
Neck and shoulder	27.00	26.60	26.90	28.80	0.48
Rack	10.20	11.60	11.40	10.10	0.69
Loin	11.00	11.00	11.40	11.60	0.35
Leg	34.90	34.00	34.40	33.00	0.36
Body wall thickness, (cm)	1.14	1.15	1.66	1.71	0.05
Loin eye area at 12^th rib, (cm²)	10.20	10.30	11.30	11.50	0.35
Visceral organs (% pre-slaughter weight)
Liver	1.71	1.82	1.65	1.75	0.04
Kidney	0.51	0.63	0.65	0.80	0.05
Heart	0.51	0.54	0.53	0.54	0.02
Testis	0.78	0.99	0.91	0.87	0.05
Diaphragm	0.41	0.38	0.41	0.41	0.07
Full GIT	21.80	23.00	21.0	19.2	0.58
Empty GIT	7.23	6.82	6.48	6.72	0.12
Spleen	0.46	0.39	0.35	0.40	0.02
Lungs with trachea	1.58	1.40	1.59	1.50	0.05
Skin	12.20	12.00	12.10	11.80	0.27
Head	6.48	6.75	6.44	6.26	0.06
Blood	3.94	4.13	3.81	4.19	0.08
Composition of carcass (% of carcass)
Meat	66.30	67.60	67.70	68.30	1.39
Bone	29.90	28.50	28.30	27.60	0.61
Fat	3.84	3.93	4.02	4.10	0.23
M:B	2.24	2.40	2.41	2.47	0.06

Each value is the average of six observations.

P>0.05

M: B (meat:bone ratio)

The chemical composition of the longissimus dorsi muscle collected from the carcasses of lambs fed the different experimental diets is presented in Table 6. Supplementation of sorghum stover with a concentrate mixture or DDGS at different levels did not affect the chemical composition of the meat; however, the fat content of the meat increased linearly with an increase in the proportion of DDGS in the diet.

Table 6. Effect of different levels of DDGS supplemented with straw-based diets on the chemical composition (%) of meat from growing Nellore ram lambs

Parameter	Diet				SEM
Parameter	D1	D2	D3	D4	SEM
Moisture (%)	73.70	74.50	73.80	74.60	0.32
Crude protein (%)	21.10	21.40	21.80	22.20	0.53
Ether extract (%)	2.59	2.63	2.73	2.92	0.13
Total ash (%)	1.78	1.47	1.69	1.50	0.06

Each value is the average of six observations.

P>0.05

On a fresh basis

Chemical composition (proximate and fiber fractions)

The chemical composition of DDGS in this study is consistent with the findings of Testroet et al. (2017), Caldas et al. (2020), and Reddy et al. (2017). However, other studies (Hristakieva et al., 2023; Reddy et al., 2021) have reported higher crude protein (CP) levels, whereas Zaini et al. (2019) reported much lower ether extract (EE) values. The differences in these values may be attributed to inconsistencies in the composition of the input corn and variations in plant processing (Iram et al., 2020).

Growth performance

Our findings corroborate previous research showing that supplementation with nutrient-dense feedstuffs such as DDGS (Murillo et al., 2016), soybean meal (Obeidat et al., 2019, Zhao et al., 2023), canola meal (Estrada-Angulo et al., 2018), and a concentrate mix (Wang et al., 2020) enhances ADG and final BW in sheep. The increase in final BW and ADG observed as supplementation levels increased is probably due to the greater consumption of CP (Zhao et al., 2023) and potentially enhanced rumen microbial activity (Quadros et al., 2021). Additionally, DDGS has elevated levels of bypass protein (43–63% of total protein; Pecka-Kiełb et al., 2017) and sulfur (0.55%), which are known to improve growth in animals (Castro-Pérez et al., 2013). This may explain the enhanced growth performance of the DDGS-supplemented lambs.

Although the overall dry matter intake (DMI) remained unaffected by DDGS supplementation, a decrease in straw intake was observed with increased levels of supplementation. The reduction in straw intake with increasing supplementation in this study may be due to the substitution of straw with DDGS. Dixon and Egan (1999) reported a substitution effect of mixtures of cereals and/or protein supplements on grass hay-based feeding. Hay intake was greater in lambs receiving a low level of supplement than in those receiving a high level of supplement.

Despite no significant difference in total feed intake, a significant decrease in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed with increasing DDGS supplementation. This decrease in FCR (improved feed efficiency) was due to increased final body weight. Similar observations of decreased FCR with higher concentrate supplementation were reported by Wang et al. (2021) when soybean meal was supplemented in a total mixed ration of lambs. Datta et al. (2023) supplemented goats with increasing levels of concentrate mixture and reported significantly decreased FCR (improved feed efficiency) with the level of supplementation.

The improved FCR can account for the substantial cost/kg gain reduction as DDGS levels increase. Obeidat (2018) supplemented various amounts of DDGS to lambs and discovered that the cost per kilogram of gain significantly decreased as the amount of DDGS supplementation increased. These results align with established principles that reducing feed intake or improving feed conversion ratio (FCR) can positively impact production economics (Snowder and Vanvleck, 2003).

Carcass characteristics and meat quality

Lambs supplemented with 2% DDGS (D4) had a greater carcass weight (18.90%) than those in the control group (D1); however, the dressing percentage was not significantly affected by the type or amount of supplementation. Our findings are consistent with those of previous studies conducted by Reddy et al. (2017b), who also showed comparable enhancements in lamb carcass weight when supplemented with concentrate pellets.

Supplementation with DDGS did not significantly affect the proportions of different wholesale cuts, body wall thickness, loin eye area, or the yield of organs as a percentage of pre-slaughter weight. This aligns with previous studies by Datta et al. (2023), Pirzado et al. (2021), Wang et al., (2021), and Prima et al. (2019), who reported similar findings for concentrate, cotton seed cake, and DDGS supplementation in sheep and goats.

Similarly, the percentage of bone, meat, fat, and bone-to-meat proportions were not notably affected by the supplementation type or level. Similarly, the supplementation did not affect the chemical composition of the longissimus dorsi muscle. These results are consistent with those of previous studies by Datta et al. (2023), Prima et al. (2019), Kawęcka et al. (2017), and Kumari et al. (2013) which demonstrated minimal to negligible effects of supplementation on the muscle, bone, and fat ratios, as well as meat composition in sheep and goats. This suggests that the notable increase in body weight primarily stems from muscle development rather than changes in organ weight or gastrointestinal content.

Based on the findings of this study, DDGS, an agro-industrial by-product rich in energy and crude protein (CP), can be effectively utilized as a supplement, even at higher levels (up to 2% of body weight), in conjunction with low-quality roughage to enhance growth and feed efficiency in growing Nellore ram lambs without compromising performance. Nevertheless, after evaluating growth performance, cost efficiency, and carcass traits, it was determined that the best supplementation level of DDGS with low-quality roughage for growing Nellore ram lambs was 1.5% of their body weight. This statement emphasizes that the standard recommendations for supplementation levels in young male sheep may not be appropriate and that an adequate amount of supplementation should be determined based on the quality of the supplement, particularly its protein and energy content.

Acknowledgments: The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Department of Animal Nutrition, Tirupati, at Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University for funding this research project with departmental funds.

Author contributions: Conceptualization: Y.R.R, J.V.R, D.S.B, P.V.V.R Methodology: Y.R.R, P.V.V.R Formal analysis: P.V.V.R, D.S, G.V.B.R Writing, original draft preparation: P.P.R.R., Writing, review and editing: P.V.V.R, Y.R.R Supervision: Y.R.R Project administration: Y.R.R, D.S.R, P.V.V.R Funding acquisition: D.S.R, P.V.V.R

Funding: The Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science, Tirupati, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, provided departmental funding for the research project.

Data availability: Data will be given by the corresponding author upon request.

Ethics approval: Approval for ethics in all procedures adhered to the guidelines established by CPCSEA, a regulatory committee under Chapter 4, Sect., for overseeing animal experiments. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 in India includes Section 15(1).

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests.

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Editorial decision: Major revision with re-assessment
12 Aug, 2024
Reviewers agreed at journal
19 Jul, 2024
Reviewers invited by journal
18 Jul, 2024
Editor assigned by journal
13 Jul, 2024
First submitted to journal
04 Jul, 2024

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Effect of supplementation of distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS) to straw-based diet on performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in Nellore ram lambs

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Version 1

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and methods

Site of study and ethical statement

Experimental diets

Experimental animals and rearing

Live weight recording

Chemical analysis

Carcass studies

Statistical analysis

Results

Discussion

Chemical composition (proximate and fiber fractions)

Growth performance

Carcass characteristics and meat quality

Conclusion and implications

Declarations

References

Status:

Version 1