Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 September 2010
Lambs were fed diets in which peat replaced equivalent alfalfa hay. Gains were depressed by proportionately 0·14, 0·32 and 0·56 due to 100, 200 and 300 g peat per kg, respectively, during a 63-day feeding period. Lambs fed peat required more dry matter per unit gain. Necropsy examination of heart, kidney, liver, spleen, lung, and pancreas revealed no gross abnormalities from feeding of peat. Rib eye area was reduced at 200 and 300 g dietary peat per kg. There were no differences in taste of cooked loin sections due to peat. These studies support the safety of feeding peat for use as a dietary carrier at 20 to 30 glkg diet or as a dietary diluent at higher levels.