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

Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a byproduct of ethanol production, has gained recognition as a viable alternative feed supplement for ram lambs because of its nutritional profile and cost-effectiveness. This study evaluated the effect of supplementing straw-based diets with different levels of DDGS on the growth performance and economic viability of growing ram lambs. A total of 24 ram lambs (16.07 ± 1.78 kg; 4 months old) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design: a basal diet (sorghum stover) supplemented with a concentrate mix (18% crude protein) at 2% body weight (D1) or the basal diet supplemented with DDGS at 1% (D2), 1.5% (D3), or 2% (D4) of body weight for 90 days. Data were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). While the total feed intake was comparable (P = 0.695) among the lambs fed different experimental diets, the D3 and D4 diets significantly improved the average daily gain and reduced the feed conversion ratio compared to the D1 diet (P < 0.001). However, the D3-fed lambs showed a cost-effective gain compared to the D4-fed lambs (P < 0.001). Although the D4 group tended to have a higher pre-slaughter weight than the D1 group (P = 0.083), the empty body and hot carcass weights were comparable among all groups (P > 0.05). Similarly, dressing percentage, wholesale cut yield, body wall thickness, loin-eye area, visceral organ yield, carcass composition, and meat chemical composition were statistically similar among the dietary groups (P > 0.05). Based on the growth performance and cost economics of the present study it was concluded 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.