High molasses diets for feedlot cattle

Abstract

This experiment investigated the effect of high molasses diets on feed intake, growth rate, carcass traits and meat eating quality of Bos indicus cross cattle under commercial feedlot conditions. Heifers were allocated to 1 of 3 groups and fed feedlot diets containing 1, 29% or 50% molasses on a DM basis. Average daily DM intake for the first 64 days was 23-24 g/kg liveweight for each of the treatment groups. The inclusion of molasses in the diet reduced (P<0.05) average daily gains (ADG) (control, mid and high molasses groups; 2.1 ± 0.04, 1.7 ± 0.05 and 1.3 ± 0.06 kg/d, respectively). The P8 fat depth was lower (P<0.05) for animals fed the high molasses diet (4.2 ± 0.5 mm) than the control and mid molasses groups (6.9 ± 0.5 and 5.8 ± 0.5 mm, respectively). Objective and subjective measures of meat quality were found to be similar between cattle fed a conventional grain-based diet and medium and high molasses diets. The inclusion of molasses at 29 or 50% (DM basis) in feedlot diets could result in acceptable ADG and produce leaner beef without affecting meat quality.