WHEAT GLUTEN FEED IN DIETS FOR INTENSIVE BULL BEEF-PRODUCTION

The use of wheat gluten feed in concentrate diets for beef bulls has been 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 rate as a consequence of a lower feed intake. Afterwards, the animals fed 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 the inclusion of wheat gluten feed in the diet. Regarding initial and overall growth rate and feed intake, the best results were obtained when 15% wheat gluten feed was incorporated in the diet. In a third experiment the voluntary intake of concentrate containing 15% wheat gluten feed was lower than for concentrate with no wheat gluten feed, when both were offered free choice. The dry matter digestibility of the diets, determined with sheep, was slightly but not significantly improved when wheat gluten teed was incorporated.