F. L. Fluharty1, G. D. Lowe, and D. D. Clevenger
The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences
Ninety-six (48 ewes and 48 rams) early weaned, Targhee x Hampshire lambs (initial weight 58.6 ± 0.6 lb) were used in a 2 x 3 factorial experiment to determine the effects of corn processing (whole shelled corn [WSC] vs. ground and pelleted corn [GC]) and feed delivery system (feed constantly available, daily adjustment in intake, or weekly adjustment in intake) on animal performance and carcass characteristics. Lambs fed whole corn had a greater ADG (P < 0.001), feed efficiency (P < 0.05), and required fewer (P < 0.001) days on feed compared with lambs fed ground/pelleted corn. Because of differences in days on feed, there were no differences (P > 0.10) in total pounds of feed required to reach market weight between lambs fed ground/pelleted corn and those fed whole-shelled corn. There were no consistent benefits to adjusting feed daily vs. offering feed ad libitum. Lambs consumed between 3.2 to 4.2% of body weight during the experiments. Therefore, comparisons of results between these lamb studies and cattle studies, where the animals consume 2.0 to 2.5% of their body weight on a daily basis, may lead to erroneous conclusions. Feeding ground/pelleted corn diets to lambs limits feed intake and minimizes differences in intake due to bunk management compared with whole-shelled corn diets.
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