WHEAT GLUTEN FEED IN DIETS FOR INTENSIVE BULL BEEF-PRODUCTION

The use of wheat gluten feed in concentrate diets for beef bulls has b een investigated in 3 experiments. Sugar-beet pulp was replaced by 15% wheat gluten feed in the first experiment and by 15, 30 or 45% in the second. Higher levels of wheat gluten feed initially reduced growth r ate as a consequence of a lower feed intake. Afterwards, the animals f ed these diets ate more and underwent a partial compensatory gain. For the entire period, growth rate was not significantly different. There was a small improvement of dry matter conversion when sugarbeet pulp was replaced by wheat gluten feed. Carcass data were not affected by t he inclusion of wheat gluten feed in the diet. Regarding initial and o verall growth rate and feed intake, the best results were obtained whe n 15% wheat gluten feed was incorporated in the diet. In a third exper iment the voluntary intake of concentrate containing 15% wheat gluten feed was lower than for concentrate with no wheat gluten feed, when bo th were offered free choice. The dry matter digestibility of the diets , determined with sheep, was slightly but not significantly improved w hen wheat gluten teed was incorporated.