Nutrient intake and performance of lambs in feedlot fed diets with different levels of pressed citrus pulp in substitution of corn silage

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the substitution of corn silage by fresh pressed citrus pulp (FPCP) on the performance of Santa Ines lambs. Twenty-four lambs, with average age of 90 days and initial average body weight of 18.44 kg, were feedlot during 67 days and fed with increasing levels of FPCP in substitution of corn silage (0, 25, 50, and 75 % DM). There was no difference for DM intake (DMI). The average values for DMI in g, % BW and g/kgBW(0.75) were, respectively, 1,180, 4.74 and 126. There was a linear decreased in NDF intake, in % BW and g/kgBW(0.75), with the increase of the level of substitution. The CP intake was not affected by the diet. There was linear increase for EE intake, in % BW and g/kgBW(0.75), and for ADF in % BW. The non fiber carbohydrate intake showed quadratic behavior, in % BW and g/kgBW(0.75), and linear increase in g/an/day, as corn silage was substituted by FPCP. The substitution of corn silage by FPCP did not affect the feed conversion (4.33 kg DM/kg of gain), however, the average weight gain showed a quadratic behavior in function of substitution level. The level of substitution of 48% promoted the highest average daily gain. The results suggest that FPCP can substitute corn silage in the diets for lambs in feedlot confined.