Abstract #180

# 180
Effects of feeding varying levels of deoiled distillers dried grains with solubles on dry matter intake, rumen fermentation, blood chemistry profile, growth, feed efficiency and carcass quality of meat goats.
Jarvis G. Scott*1, Nar K. Gurung1, Byeng R. Min1, Errol G. Rhoden1, Wendell H. McElhenney1, 1Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL.

The feeding value of deoiled distillers dried grains with solubles (D-DDGS) has been investigated for dairy, beef cattle, pigs and poultry, but no study has been conducted with meat goats. Objectives were to determine the effects of feeding varying levels of D-DDGS on dry matter intake, rumen fermentation, select blood metabolites, growth, feed efficiency and carcass quality. Twenty-four (24) Kiko wethers (26.67 ± 1.21 kg with initial BW and 5 to 6 mo of age) were randomly assigned to one of the 4 experimental diets (n = 6) containing 50% bermudagrass hay plus 50% concentrate mix with 0, 10, 20 or 30% D-DDGS in the diet on an as-is basis. The body weights were recorded every 4 weeks. The rumen volatile fatty acid were determined at the beginning, mid-point and at end of the trial while blood chemistry profiles were determined at the beginning and end of the trial. After 84 d, goats were slaughtered for carcass traits evaluation. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. There was quadratic response in dry matter intake (P < 0.05) with increasing level of D-DDGS but no differences (P = 0.49) were detected in ADG (111.8, 128.4, 140.3 and 98.9 g/day for control, 10, 20 and 30% D-DDGS, respectively. Similarly, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed for gain to feed ratios among treatments. Molar proportion of acetate (A), propionate (P), and A: P increased linearly (P < 0.05) while the overall rumen pH response was quadratic (P < 0.05). The blood chemistry profile showed that gamma-glutamyl transferase and glucose decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with D-DDGS while the trend was reversed (P > 0.05) with aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase and cholesterol. However, both rumen volatile fatty acid and blood chemistry profile were within the normal range. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between treatments for percent transport loss, percent carcass shrink, 12th rib fat thickness, LMA and dressing percent. The findings suggest that up to 30% of D-DDGS can be included in the diet for meat goats without any compromise in rumen fermentation, performance and carcass quality.

Key Words: goat, D-DDGS, performance