Effect of vinasse (condensed molasses solubles) on performance and meat chemical composition of Holstein male calves

Abstract

Twenty-four Holstein male calves (BW = 320 ± 48kg) were used to evaluate the effects of vinasse supplementation on growth, carcase and meat chemical composition and total-tract digestibility in a randomised complete block design. The calves were divided into four groups and allocated to four diets: a maize/barley-based diet with no added vinasse (C); a diet containing 5% (DM basis) vinasse (LV); a diet containing 10% (DM basis) vinasse (MV) and a diet containing 15% (DM basis) vinasse (HV). Amount of feed offered was recorded daily and the calves were weighed monthly and slaughtered after 4 months of trial. Dry matter intake was not affected significantly by treatments. Calves fed with C and LV diets had higher live slaughter weight, ADG, longissimus muscle area and lower feed efficiency than calves fed the MV and HV diets (p.05), but it was decreased as the level of vinasse increased to the level of 15% in HV diet (p