Performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot lambs fed raw soybean

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of raw soybean on lamb performance, carcass yield and Iamb cuts. Raw soybean was added at 0, 7, 14 and 21% of the diet dry matter (isonitrogenous). Sixty-four Santa Ines lambs (initial body weight 19.5+/-0.19 kg and 75 2 days old) were assigned to a complete randomized block design according to body weight and age at beginning of the trial. Dry matter intake (1.1, 1.0, 0.9 and 0.9 kg per day), crude protein intake (199.2, 181.5, 179.0 and 175.2 g per day) and average daily gain (298, 275, 280, 255 g per day) decreased linearly, and ether extract intake (43.8, 49.7, 57.2 and 66.0 g per day) increased linearly, as levels of raw soybean increased. Feed conversion, carcass yield and lamb cuts were not affected by raw soybean inclusion in the diet. The inclusion of raw soybean in high concentrate diets provides satisfactory feedlot lamb performance.