Winged bean tuber as a novel alternative to corn meal in concentrate mixture in Thai native beef cattle diets

Abstract

In times of high feed costs and severe feed competition, it is crucial to explore alternative feedstuffs. Identifying alternative feed sources is essential for developing cost-effective and sustainable solutions to address challenges in livestock production and economic constraints. This study evaluates the effects of replacing corn with different levels of winged bean tuber (WBT) in concentrate mixtures on feed intake, feed utilization, and rumen fermentation in Thai native beef cattle. Animals were randomly assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design, with WBT replacing corn in the concentrate mixture at levels of 0, 33, 67, and 100%. Replacing corn with WBT (0–100%) in the concentrate diet did not affect (p > 0.05) dry matter, organic matter, or crude protein intake. However, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intake increased linearly (p < 0.05) at 67% and 100% replacement levels. Although nutrient digestibility remained unchanged, ruminal pH, ammonia-nitrogen concentration, and protozoal population increased linearly (p < 0.05) at 67% and 100% WBT replacement levels. However, WBT replacement did not significantly affect blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations. As the level of WBT increased in the concentrate diet, the concentration of propionic acid (C3) increased, but the amount of acetic acid (C2) and the ratio of C2 to C3 decreased linearly (p < 0.05) without shifting the acetic concentration. Additionally, replacing corn with WBT in the concentrate diet had no effect on nitrogen balance. The WBT can be used as an alternative for corn grain up to 100% in ruminant diets without changing feed digestibility, the BUN, and nitrogen balance. It can also improve the fermentation characteristics in the rumen.