Author: Kara MaggittPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Feed utilization efficiency
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Increased global meat consumption has led to an increase in livestock production. While the demand for output increases, so has the need for alternative protein sources in feed to minimize the environmental impact of livestock production. Insect protein is a potential alternative to conventional sources of protein (e.g., soybean meal or cottonseed meal) for cattle consuming low-quality forage (LQF). The use of insects as livestock feed has been documented in the literature, and interest is growing; however, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has only approved the use of dried black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) for salmonid, poultry, swine, and adult dogs. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the use of Black Soldier Fly Larvae meal (BSFLM) and BSFL frass and larval sheddings (FRS) as novel supplemental proteins for beef steers consuming low-quality forage. Eight ruminally fistulated steers (240.2 ± 22.5 kg of BW) were used in replicated 4 × 4 Latin squares. One of four treatments were provided to each steer per period: a control (CON) with no supplement, cottonseed meal (CSM), partially defatted BSFL meal (BSFLM), or BSFL frass and larval sheddings (FRS). Four 16-day periods were conducted with an 8-d adaptation to treatments, 7-d measurement of intake and digestion, and 1-d collection of ruminal fermentation and microbial samples. Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were determined for forage, supplement, ort, and fecal samples. Microbiome analysis of microbial communities' composition was conducted using 16S rRNA sequencing for liquid and solid rumen fractions. Protein supplementation of CSM, BSFLM, and FRS increased forage organic matter (OM) intake (P