Effects of including sprouted barley in the diets of Western white face feeder wether lambs

The growing population is driving demand for animal protein which increases pressure on the agricultural industry. Vertical farming could potentially help by reducing land and water requirements while operating independently of weather. However, it is unknown how sprouted barley (SB), grown in a controlled environment system, impacts typical measures of production (body weight (BW) gain, dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency (G:F), feeding behavior, carcass traits, economics etc.), of western white face wether lambs. Wether lambs (N = 76) were stratified by initial BW (40.9 kg, ± 0.84) into one of four different dietary groups: a typical ration as the control (CON; n = 18) and diet groups with 10% (n = 20), 20% (n = 18), or 30% (n = 20) dry matter (DM) inclusion of SB, replacing some rolled barley, alfalfa, and soybean meal. On days 0, 30, and 58 BW and rumen pH were measured. Additionally, BW was also assessed on days 15 and 65. Feed intake and feeding behavior were quantified using Vytelle technology and averaged every 15 d at timepoints of days 15, 30, 45, and 69. All animals were harvested at a commercial lamb abattoir and carcasses were camera graded on day 69. The PROC MIXED procedure of SAS was used to analyze all data, with day as a repeated measure to assess effects of diet, day and the interaction. No diet × day (P = 0.21) for DMI was observed. However, diet (P = 0.0006) and day (P = 0.004) both impacted DMI, such that DMI increased (P = 0.02) over time and DMI of all SB diets was less (P = 0.0001) than CON. Lambs receiving CON had increased (P ≤ 0.05) nutrient intake of net energy maintenance, net energy gain, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent compared to SB. No differences (P > 0.17) were found in any carcass measurements. Net return (NR) for 30% SB was decreased (P = 0.04) relative to 10% SB, but was not different (P > 0.10) from the NR for 20% SB and CON. The CON diet had increased (P < 0.01) total feed costs (TFC) compared to 10% SB diets, but was not different (P > 0.10) from the TFC for 20% SB and 30% SB. The 10% SB diet had decreased (P < 0.05) cost of gain (COG) relative to 30% SB, but was not different (P > 0.10) from COG for CON and 20% SB. These results suggest incorporating SB into the diet of feeder wethers at levels of 10, 20, or 30% (DM) may enhance feed efficiency by lowering DMI, while maintaining production standards and improving COG.