Millet as a replacement for corn in feedlot steers diets

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the bioeconomic performance of feedlot steers fed diets with high concentrate (80%) containing different levels of grounded grain of millet as a replacement for grounded corn grain. We used 89 European-zebu crossbred bulls, with initial average weight of 317.8±15.1kg and average initial age of two years, randomly assigned to diets with different levels of substitution of corn by millet (0, 33, 66 and 100%).The animals were allocated in 16 collective pens. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with four treatments and four replicates (pens). The nutrient intake, except neutral detergent fiber and non-fiber carbohydrates, did not differ between the diets tested (P>0.05). The average daily weight gain, body weight and final body codition score were not affected (P>0.05) by increasing the level of millet in the diet. The feed conversion increased 0.0048 kg of dry matter/kg of weight gain for each percentage point of millet in the diet. The total cost decreased linearly (P<0.05) with increasing the level of millet in the diet, reflecting the linear reduction in feed cost. As a result, the profit of finishing feedlot steers increased R$ 0.675 for each percentage point of millet in replacing corn. The millet can replace corn in diets with high concentrate for feedlot cattle, enabling reduction of production cost and increasing profits.