Growth performance and carcass quality response of Awassi lambs fed jojoba meal

The importance of using agro-industrial by-products in feeding livestock is important in terms of preserve the environment and conversely, reducing the cost of feeding and production. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess how feeding jojoba meal (JOJ) affected growth performance, cost of production, and carcass features of growing lambs. Twenty-four Awassi lambs weighing 16.4 kg +/- 0.17 kg were randomly selected and given two diets; a control diet without the inclusion of JOJ (CON), and JOJ100 with the presence of 100 g/kg dry matter (DM) of JOJ. The experiment lasted for 63 days preceded by 10 days as a period of adaptation. As scheduled on day 49 of the trial and, to assess nutritional digestibility and N balance, five lambs were randomly selected. During this period, lambs were housed in metabolic cages that allowed the collection of total fecal and urinary outputs. Lambs were slaughtered to investigate carcass features on day 64. Acid detergent fiber and EE intakes were greater (p <= 0.007) in the JOJ100 than in CON diet. Nutrient digestibility, N balance, growth rate, and carcass traits were not affected (p >= 0.136) by consumption of JOJ100. Cost of production declined (p = 0.046) by 17% with the JOJ100 group. High-density lipoprotein was increased (p = 0.012) with lambs consuming the JOJ100 diet. In summary, adding jojoba meal to the diet of lambs appeared to have no adverse effect on their performance, carcass quality, or health. Most importantly, this dietary supplement appeared to enhance the economic efficiency by reducing the cost of production.