Effects of replacing molasses with sugar beet vinasse on performance, blood and ruminal parameters in Mahabadi kids

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of replacing molasses with different levels of sugar beet vinasse on performance, carcass characteristics, and blood and ruminal parameters of Mahabadi goat kids. 32 male kids (5-6 months age) with a mean of 20 ± 2 kg of weight were fed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 4, 8 and 12 percent of sugar beet vinasse). The period of experiment was 90 days including 15 days of adaptation and 75 days for feeding rations. The result showed that the treatments had no significant effect on average dry matter intake, daily gain feed conversion and carcass characteristics. Vinasse in 8 and 12 percent significantly increased rumen pH (P<0.05), but had no significant effect on ammonia nitrogen and rumen VFA concentration. Adding vinasse did not significantly affect blood, but blood magnesium significantly decreased (P<0.05). The overall results of this experiment showed that sugar beet vinasse can be used up to 12 per cent in the diet of Mahabadi goat kids without any adverse effect on performance.

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