In the southern zone of Chile, usually a voluminous forage supplemented with protein and energy is needed, for fattening steers during winter and obtaining good liveweight gains. Oats' silage supplemented with different energy levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg molasses/100 kg L.W.) and with two pro· tein sources, rapeseed meal and a mixtureof fish meal + barley (equivalent to 300 g rapeseed meal/100 kg L.w.), were studied, in Frisian steers rations. Molasses levels were tested using rapeseed meal as protein supplement, and protein sources were tested with the molasses at 1.0 kg/100 kg L.W. The triól was carried out during a 90 days period, in fattening stalls, provided with concrete and ground floor. Liveweight gains (kg) were high, with a significant difference for energy supplementation (0.685 b; 0.959 ab; 1.167 a; and 1.176 a) for the levels 0 to 1.5 kg of molasses. Liveweight gains (kg), when replacing rapeseed meal by a fish meal + barley mixture, did not differ (0.875 ab vs 0.959 ab). but a lower silage intake was observed. Oats' silage plus a protein supplement, requires energy supplementation to be used as the main feed for fattening steers. The largest economical benefit was obtained with an intermediate energy leve!. Counting with a rather cheap voluminous feed to ensile, permits a better management of the permanent pasture. |
ChileanJAR
