Carcass traits, commercial cuts, and edible non-carcass components of lambs fed a blend of residue from the candy industry and corn gluten feed by replacing ground corn

The objective was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of a blend of the residue from the candy industry (RCI) and corn gluten feed (CGF) (RCI:CGF blend; ratio 613:387 g/kg dry matter [DM]) as a substitute for ground corn in the diet of lambs on carcass traits, carcass gains, commercial cuts, and edible non-carcass components. Forty non-castrated male Santa Ines lambs were used: baseline group (n = 4), and experimental group (n = 36). The experimental group was used in a completely randomized design with four levels of inclusion of the RCI:CGF blend: 0, 116, 233, and 353 (g/kg DM) as a substitute of ground corn grain. The RCI:CGF blend was formulated to have CP, and non-fibrous carbohydrates similar to corn grain. Animals in the baseline group were slaughtered at the beginning of the experimental period to estimate the initial carcass weight (iCW), predict the carcass gain and carcass gain yield, and biological efficiency. The experimental group was slaughtered at the end of the trial (77 days). Visceral (heart, liver, and rumen) weights (absolute and relative) increased (P < 0.05). However, carcass yields (hot and cold), carcass gain yield, and perirenal fat decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of the blend. Slaughter and empty body weight, carcass (hot and cold) weight, fat deposition (mesenteric, omental, inguinal, and pelvic), pH and temperature final, commercial carcass cuts weight and yields, morphometric measurements, or subjective evaluations of the carcass (conformation and finishing), leg tissue composition carcass gains, visceral mass (exception heart, liver, and rumen) weight and yields of edible non-carcass components, enteric CH4 estimation were not affected by treatment. It was concluded that the blend of the residue from the candy industry and corn gluten feed in the ratio of 613:387 g/kg DM can replace ground corn up to 35% DM in the diet of the lambs, without affecting carcass weights or other attributes that confers carcass or meat quality, and enteric methane production. The main effect of the blend was the increase of visceral mass of the heart, liver, and rumen. Additionally, it adds value to non-carcass edible products, increasing the sustainability of the system.