F. L. Fluharty1, G. D. Lowe, and D. D. Clevenger
The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences
Eighty Columbia x Suffolk ewe lambs (initial BW 114.5 ± 0.8 lb) were used in a randomized complete block experiment to determine the effects of alfalfa haylage vs. corn silage on animal performance and carcass characteristics. Lambs offered alfalfa haylage consumed 23.5% more (P < 0.01) feed on a daily basis than lambs offered corn silage (4.09 vs. 3.31 lb/day, respectively). However, lambs fed corn silage gained 21.3% faster (P < 0.01) than lambs fed alfalfa haylage (0.57 vs. 0.47 lb/day, respectively). Additionally, lambs fed corn silage were 50.4% more efficient in converting feed to gain compared with lambs offered alfalfa haylage (0.173 vs. 0.115 lb gain/lb feed, respectively). Lambs fed corn silage had a heavier (P < 0.01) hot carcass weight and a greater (P < 0.01) dressing percent compared with lambs offered alfalfa haylage (74.8 lb and 52% vs. 71.5 lb and 49.7%, respectively). Properly managed, alfalfa haylage and corn silage allowed ewe lambs to grow slowly and yield large carcasses with 0.22 to 0.26 inches of backfat.
1 For more information, contact at: The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, 302 Pounden Hall, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691, 330-263-2904, e-mail: fluharty.1@osu.edu