Page 42 - Effects of dried citrus pulp on nutrient intake, nitrogen balance and growth performance in Lohi lambs
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the diet. They experienced that feed cost was reduced when fresh citrus pulp replaced
sorghum silage as an energy source in crossbred sheep diets.
A relevant experiment was also performed by Caparra et al. (2007) to determine the
effect of DCP to replace grains as an alternate to energy source and the effect of this
replacement on economics in lambs. Three levels i.e. 0, 30 and 45 % of DCP were used in
concentrate diet to replace corn grains. They reported a successful replacement of corn
grains with DCP in concentrate diets for lambs and they report that the DCP is economical
to corn grains.
Oni et al. (2008) performed a trial on replacement of brewers dried grains with DCP
and its effect on feed cost in dwarf goats. Sixteen goats were equally distributed into four
sets. The control set had 88.5% brewers dried grains whereas, in other three experimental
sets, it was substituted with 25, 50 and 75% DCP. Enterolobium cyclocarpum was used as
a basal diet. Other than these ingredients, molasses, salt, urea and vitamin mineral premix
were also used in all diets. This study revealed that DCP is very efficient to reduce feed
cost in goat rations.
Alkire (2003) conducted an experiment to assess the effects of feeding citrus pulp
as supplements, on feed economics in growing beef cattle. He used Angus × Brahman
crossbred steers and heifers for the experimental purposes. These steers and heifers were
fed ad libitum Bahia grass hay as a basal diet along with concentrate. The concentrate was
comprised corn and citrus pulp with increasing levels of undegradable protein. A similar
performance of calves was observed across all treatments, which indicated that use of citrus
pulp could be an economical complement to replace the cost of corn grains.
In another experiment, Alkire (2003) used one hundred fifty Angus × Brahman
crossbred calves having 83 heifers and 69 steers. Average body weight of the animals was
241 kg. A 42-day preconditioning program for the experimental purposes was planned to
check the effects of feeding citrus pulp as supplement. Four types of concentrates were
prepared using citrus pulp 0, 0.22kg UIP or Urea. These calves were randomly assigned
one of the four. It was noticed that performance of calves fed on citrus pulp based diets was
similar as fed on corn. The study concluded that supplementation of citrus pulp along with
undegraded intake protein proved more economical than other dietary concentrates.
Similarly, Bueno et al. (2002)evaluated the influence of DCP in replacement of corn
grain (concentrate energy source) and its effect on cost of feed in Saanen kid’s rations.
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