Comparative feeding value of tapioca pellets for feedlot cattle.

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Ruminant Nutrition
• Feed Evaluation

Background:

• Feedlot cattle production relies on efficient energy and nutrient utilization.
• Alternative feed ingredients are continuously evaluated to optimize cattle diets.
• Tapioca pellets (TP) offer a potential carbohydrate source for livestock.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the comparative feeding value of tapioca pellets (TP) versus steam-flaked corn (SFC).
• To assess the impact of TP inclusion on growth performance and carcass merit in feedlot cattle.
• To determine the nutrient digestibility and energy value of TP in Holstein steers.

Main Methods:

• A feedlot growth-performance trial using diets with 0, 15, or 30% TP replacing SFC.
• A metabolism trial with Holstein steers to measure nutrient digestibility of SFC and TP-based diets.
• Analysis of dry matter intake, daily weight gain, feed-to-gain ratio, carcass characteristics, and nutrient digestibility.

Main Results:

• Daily weight gain and dry matter intake were highest with 15% TP inclusion.
• Feed-to-gain ratio increased linearly with increasing TP levels.
• Starch digestibility was high for both TP and SFC, but nitrogen and overall dry matter digestibility were lower for TP.
• Energy value (DE) of diets decreased with TP substitution.

Conclusions:

• Tapioca pellets can substitute up to 30% of diet dry matter in growing-finishing cattle diets without adverse effects on performance.
• Tapioca pellets provide approximately 86% of the net energy value of steam-flaked corn.
• Careful consideration of nutrient digestibility and overall diet formulation is necessary when using TP.