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Beet Pulp as a Grain Replacement for Dairy Cows and Sheep¹

Division of Animal Science, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

ABSTRACT

Three experiments were to study and improve the nutritional value of dried beet pulp for its efficient utilization in the rations of dairy cows and sheep.

In the first experiment, 3 digestion and metabolism trials were conducted with 8 wether lambs to study the nutrient digestibility and energy utilization of rations containing 4 levels of beet pulp as a replacement for corn in the control ration. The control ration contained 60% corn and no beet pulp. In 3 experimental rations, 50, 75 or 100% of the corn in the control ration was replaced by beet pulp, keeping the proportion of other ingredients constant. No significant difference was observed in the digestibility of dry matter, energy and crude protein among the treatments. Crude fiber of the beet pulp was highly digestible and ration digestibility increased at each increase in pulp. Metabolizable energy of the rations did not change due to incorporation of beet pulp and the average value as percent of gross energy was 71. Thus beet pulp energy was as well utilized as corn when it was incorporated up to 60% in the ration.

A lactation trial involving 8 cows in a switchback design was conducted in a second experiment to study the feeding value of beet pulp for milk production. A control ration containing 57% barley was compared with an experimental ration containing 55% beet pulp. When the cows were fed the concentrate ration along with 4kg of alfalfa hay, no significant difference was observed in change of body weight or fat-corrected milk production.

The results of the third experiment indicated that when 4% fat was added to a fat deficient ration containing 50% beet pulp, milk yield increased significantly by 7.5%.

¹ Journal no. 319 of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, A.U.B.

² Present address: Dairy Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48823.