Journal of Agriculture & Life Sciences

Effect of Almond Hull Level in a Finishing Diet on Lamb Growth and Carcass Performance
C.R. Phillips, S.P. Doyle, A. Harl, C.B. Carpenter, M. Aschenbrener

Abstract
Thirty-two Hampshire x Suffolk lambs were fed over two years (year 1 n=14; year 2 n=18) to evaluate the effect of feeding almond hulls (AH) in finishing diets on lamb growth performance and carcass characteristics. Lambs were fed a base ration that was 35% roughage and 65% concentrate. Almond hulls replaced a portion of the alfalfa at 0%, 5%, and 10% of the diet. Data were analyzed as a randomized block design, blocking on year. Addition of almond hulls to the ration did not affect daily gain, feed intake and feed efficiency (P>0.40). Addition of almond hulls did not affect (P>0.19) carcass weight, yield grade or quality grade. Replacing chopped alfalfa with up to 10% almond hulls in lamb finishing diets did not adversely affect growth or carcass performance.

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