Different Festulolium cultivars in lamb nutrition – feed value, growth performance, and meat quality

The effi cacy of Festulolium in lamb nutrition remains insuffi ciently investigated, and the nutritional value of different hybrids has not yet been compared. This study evaluated the feed value of three Festulolium cultivars (Becva, Felopa, and Paulita) in fattening Berrichon du Cher ram lambs compared to hybrid ryegrass cv. Bakus. Herbage of the grass cultivars was harvested and ensiled, and fed to 24 lambs divided into four groups depending on the type of silage in the ration. The dry matter (DM) content of experimental silages was similar and exceeded 40%. Fibre fractions were found to be lowest in silage produced from Festulolium cv. Felopa, and highest in hybrid ryegrass cv. Bakus. Lambs fed cv. Felopa exhibited a tendency towards increased DM intake (1046.9 g/day), and were characterised by the highest daily weight gain. They also had the highest intramuscular fat content (4.49%) in the longissimus lumborum muscle. The feed value of hybrid ryegrass cv. Bakus and Festulolium was comparable. Felopa was superior to other cultivars in terms of nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, dry organic matter digestibility, and its effect on lamb growth performance.