The impact of dietary sugarcane addition to finishing diets on performance, apparent digestibility, and fatty acid composition of Holstein × Zebu bulls.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of corn silage (CS) or sugarcane (SC) additions to finishing diets on voluntary intake, apparent digestibility, animal performance, and LM fatty acid (FA) composition in crossbred Holstein × Zebu bulls. Forty-two bulls (initial BW 328 ± 39.2 kg and an initial age of 23.5 mo) were used in this experiment. A completely randomized design was used to examine roughage source (CS vs. SC) and ratio of concentrate (CO) on nutrient utilization and production. The experimental diets consisted of 1) 60% CS and 40% CO on DM basis fed for 84 d (CS60:40), 2) 60% CS and 40% CO on DM basis fed for 42 d and 40% CS and 60% CO on DM basis fed for 42 d (CS reverse diet [CSR]), 3) 40% CS and 60% CO on DM basis fed for 84 d (CS40:60), 4) 60% SC and 40% CO on DM basis fed for 84 d (SC60:40), 5) 60% SC and 40% CO on DM basis fed for 42 d and 40% SC and 60% CO on DM basis fed for 42 d (SC reverse diet [SCR]), and 6) 40% SC and 60% CO on DM basis fed for 84 d (SC40:60). Dry matter and NDF intakes were greater (P < 0.01) in bulls fed CS-based diets than bulls fed SC-based diets. The greatest (P < 0.01) DM and CP digestibility were observed in bulls fed SC-based diets. Bulls fed CSR and CS40:60 had greater (P < 0.01) ADG than bulls fed SC-based diets. However, ADG was similar (P = 0.52) in bulls fed CS60:40, CSR, and SC40:60 diets. The percentage of C18:3 n-3 and C20:5 n-3 were greater (P < 0.01) in LM of bulls fed SC-based diets. The percentage of CLA was greater (P < 0.01) in LM of bulls fed SC60:40 than those fed CS-based diets. The findings of the present study indicate that SC40:60 can replace CS60:40 and CSR in finishing diets and, moreover, roughage source significantly altered the FA composition of crossbred Holstein × Zebu bulls LM.