Common beans (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris L.</i>) in the rations for cattle in feedlot

Abstract

To evaluate the inclusion of common beans in the diet of cattle in feedlot on characteristics of productive performance, nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation parameters, 15 bulls crossed were used in a completely randomized design. The animals were confined for 64 days, and 21 days of adaptation. We evaluated the inclusion common beans at levels of 0%, 13% and 26%. All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous with a 45:55 forage: concentrate ratio. The addition of beans in the diet did not affect animal performance, dry matter intake and feed efficiency. Inclusion bean changed the nutrient digestibility of DM, CP, EE, TC and OM, where the best digestibility was observed with the inclusion 13% and the lowest concentration of ruminal NH 3 -N. The general behavior of ruminal pH in relation to levels of inclusion of beans was 6.2. The inclusion of up to 13% of beans in the diet of feedlot cattle did not alter the apparent digestibility, ruminal and animal performance.