Abstract:

The nutrient evaluation of artichoke, Cynaya scolymus. L and its by-product were overall analyzed to develop feedstuff related to artichoke and to clarify the effects of beef finishing. So the artichoke’s nutrient ingredients were analyzed and 30 BMY bulls were finished. The results showed that the crude protein contents of artichoke by-products were above 10.33%, and that the in vitro dry matter digestibility, NDF and ADF of artichoke power, silage artichoke and artichoke buds were 60.09%, 26.71%, 26.51%; 54.97%, 31.10%, 31.24% and 47.14%, 34.24%, 26.08%, respectively. Moreover, the degradation rate in rumen of artichoke’s by-products were higher than the most of usual forages; the DMD and CPD were 65.14% and 50.09%, respectively, indicating the nutrient levels were similar to high-quality forages. Finishing trials showed that the ADGs treated by artichoke pellet feed of artichoke and silage artichoke were 1 132 g and 838 g, respectively, which were significantly higher than silage corn (620 g) (P<0.01). The finishing effects treated by artichoke’s by-products surpassed the silage whole-plant corn, improving the benefits of beef industry. The nutrient values of artichoke’s by-products were closer to the high-quality forages and good for utilizing in beef industry.