Effect of Tallow and Rice Polishings in Feedlot Rations on Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Lambs

Abstract

Effect of tallow (Ta) level in, rations with rice polishings (RP) on growth and carcass characteristics was studied on twenty one intact males (22.76 +/- 3.1 1kg, Dorper x Pelibuey) housed in individual pens and assigned at random to 3 treatments viz. 0, 2.5 or 5\% tallow (to) replacing equal quantities of sorghum grain and 18\% rice polish (RP). Lambs were fed for 60 d on diets formulated to contain 14\% CP and 2.6 Mcal/kg ME. No differences (P>0.05) were observed among treatments for daily dry matter intake, daily weight gain, feed efficiency, subcutaneous fat and Longissimus dorsi area. It is concluded that rations for feedlot lambs with 18\% of rice polishings may include 5\% of tallow, without negative effects on growth or carcass of lambs.