Exogenous human growth hormone-releasing factor and ovine somatotropin improve growth performance and composition of gain in lambs

The objectives of this study were 1) to compare intermittent subcutaneous administration of human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF) at two doses with a similar regimen of ovine somatotropin (oST) for effects on growth and composition of gain in growing lambs and 2) to determine whether increasing the dietary amino acid availability enhances response to oST or hGRF. Eighty crossbred ewe and wether lambs (25.5 kg live weight) were assigned randomly in pairs to receive four daily injections of excipient, 40 micrograms oST/kg BW, 5 micrograms hGRF/kg BW or 10 micrograms hGRF/kg BW for 42 (n = 80) or 56 (n = 40) d. Doses were adjusted weekly for BW. Mean plasma oST concentrations increased from 2.03 ng/ml prior to treatment to 20.64, 4.80 and 5.45 ng/ml with oST, 5 and 10 micrograms/kg hGRF doses, respectively. Lambs did not become refractory to hGRF. Cumulative gain increased approximately 18% with 7 wk of treatment with oST and the low dose of hGRF (both P less than .01), and feed efficiency improved 21% with oST and 18% with both doses of hGRF (both P less than .05). Carcass lipid accretion rate decreased 22% to 30% (P less than .001), and carcass protein accretion rate increased 30% to 36% (P less than .001) with hGRF and oST treatment, respectively. Addition of fishmeal to the diet at 4% to replace an equal amount of soy protein improved gain 8.5%; it improved efficiency 14.2% (P less than .05) across all treatments, and it significantly enhanced the effects of oST on feed efficiency (interaction P less than .12) and hind leg muscle weights.     

Serum growth hormone and nitrogen metabolism responses in young bull calves infused with growth hormone-releasing factor for 20 days

Intravenous infusion of growth hormone (GH)-releasing factor (GRF) sustains elevated serum GH for at least 5 days in young Holstein steers, but the effects of extended infusion of GRF on serum GH and nitrogen (N) metabolism have not been determined. Thirteen Dutch-Friesian bull calves (148 +/- 1.5 kg) were assigned randomly to receive daily either 0 or 3.6 mg GRF (hGRF1-44NH2; U-68420) in saline as a continuous infusion for 20 days. Calves were fed milk replacer twice daily while housed indoors in wooden-slatted floor box crates (metabolism cages). Nitrogen determinations were made on daily feed, feces, and urine samples which were pooled for days 9 to 14 of treatment. Concentrations of GH were quantified in blood samples collected at 20 min intervals for 8 hr on day 1, 10 and 20. The infusion of GRF increased baseline GH (P less than .07), the number of GH pulses (P less than .0001), the amplitude of the GH pulses (P less than .001), and area under the GH response curve (P less than .0002). Within GRF-infused calves baseline GH (P less than .0001) and area under the GH response curve (P less than .006) were greater on day 20 than on day 1 or 10 (day X treatment interaction, P less than .04). Area under the GH response curve was similar on each sampling day in saline-infused calves, but baseline GH was higher (P less than .03) on day 20 than either day 1 or 10. Infusion of GRF increased episodic GH secretion in spite of limited pulsatile activity in saline-infused calves.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Predicting bull growth performance and carcass composition from growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing hormone.

Development of practical, physiologically based methods that provide an early, yet accurate, evaluation of a bull's genetic merit could benefit the beef industry. The use of GH response to a single, acute dose of GHRH was evaluated as a predictor of future growth performance and carcass characteristics of weanling bulls. Fifty-six Angus bulls averaging 229 d (SD = 27) of age were administered three doses i.v. (0, 1.5, and 4.5 microg/100 kg BW) of human GHRH (1-29) analog in a Latin square design balanced for residual effects. Blood samples were collected via jugular catheter at -60, -45, -30, -15, 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min relative to GHRH injection. Serum concentrations of GH were plotted over time. Response to GHRH was calculated as the area under the GH response curve (AUC-GH) using the trapezoidal approximation. Relationships between AUC-GH, weaning weight adjusted to 205 d of age (205-d WW), and direct weaning weight EPD (WWEPD) versus age-adjusted BW (BWadj), ADG, and carcass measurements from a 140-d growth performance test were evaluated using simple linear regression. A positive correlation between AUC-GH and ADG and an inverse relationship between AUC-GH and carcass fat were observed. The present study provides evidence that AUC-GH is a better predictor of future growth performance in beef bulls than 205-d WW or WWEPD values. Thus, GH response to GHRH is associated with subsequent growth and may be a useful tool for sire selection in beef production.     

Effect of a potent analog of human growth hormone-releasing factor on carcass composition and quality of crossbred market pigs

The effect of a human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF) analog ([desamino-Tyr1, D-Ala2, Ala15] hGRF(1-29)NH2) on the carcass composition of crossbred barrows was evaluated. pH, color and collagen content were measured on 74 animals distributed among the following five treatments started at about 50 kg BW: T1, control saline three times daily (TID); T2, hGRF analog (1.66 micrograms/kg, TID); T3, hGRF analog (3.33 micrograms/kg, TID); T4, hGRF analog (6.66 micrograms/kg, TID) and T5, hGRF analog (10 micrograms/kg, once daily). Animals were slaughtered at approximately 106 kg BW giving an average of 55 d on test. Carcass composition was determined on eight animals from T1 and eight animals from T4. The left side of each carcass was divided into four untrimmed commercial cuts: ham, loin, shoulder and belly, which then were dissected into muscle, separable fat, bone and skin. Ham, loin and belly weights were not affected by GRF treatment, but shoulder weight was increased (P less than .05; 10.11 vs 11.15 kg, SE = .21). There was an increase (P less than .0.05) in muscle content of all the cuts considered and a concomitant decrease (P less than .05) in fat content. The analog increased muscle weight by 16% and decreased fat weight by 25% in the pooled tissues of the shoulder, ham and loin. Overall, hGRF analog increased skin and bone weights by 39% and 19%, respectively. Chemical analysis demonstrated that the hGRF analog increased overall protein accretion in the carcass by 10.5% and decreased crude fat by 28.7%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of defaunating the rumen on growth and carcass composition of lambs

The effect of defaunating the rumen on growth performance and carcass composition of lambs fed a molasses-urea diet was investigated. Before the growth trial, all the animals were defaunated. Based on live weight and daily gain during a preliminar period, the animals were divided in two groups whereafter one group was refaunated. Defaunation caused a decrease in propionic acid percentage in the rumen. Daily gain and food conversion efficiency were better in the defaunated group, but only during the first five weeks. The response over the whole trial (0-9 weeks) remained positive however. There was a trend towards more meat and less fat in the carcass of defaunated lambs. The fact that two animals died during the defaunation procedure indicates the need for a completely harmless and effective defaunating agent.     

Growth performance,carcass characteristics,fatty acid composition and CLA concentrations of lambs fed diets supplemented with different oil sources

Quality food for human consumption will always be the aim for animal producers. Quantity and composition of fat deposits (fatty acid profile) strongly influences meat quality in ruminants, especially via increasing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration, which is known to have beneficial anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic, antidiabetic and cholesterol reduction properties for human health. Awassi lambs are one of the main and most consumed meat sources in the Middle East area; however, studies addressing the fat content of CLA and methods to enhance its concentrations in this breed are still rare. For this reason, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding two different oil sources (soybean oil (SBO) and sunflower oil (SFO) at two levels (1.8 and 3%)) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and fatty acid profile of fat in Awassi lambs. Oil supplementation had no effect on growth performance or carcass characteristics, while fatty acid composition changed according to the site of extraction. CLA concentrations were increased in the tail fat deposit, with 1.8% SBO and in intermuscular fat deposit with 3% SFO. Intermuscular fat is the one most naturally consumed by humans, serving to improve food quality.     

Growth and plasma metabolites of lambs weaned to legume pasture at 28 days of age

Two trials evaluated the potential for weaning lambs directly onto legume pasture at 28 d of age. Ewes and their twin-reared lambs were placed in paddocks on d 19; ewes were removed on d 28. In Trial 1, 60 lambs were allocated to three treatments: unweaned controls (CON1), lambs weaned onto first-cut alfalfa either without supplementary grain (WOG) or with up to 270 g.hd-1.d-1 supplementary grain (WG). Daily gains for the CON1, WOG and WG lambs were 309, 118 and 159 g for the period from d 28 to 40 (P greater than .05) and 241, 195 and 245 g for the period from d 40 to 56 (P greater than .05), respectively. In Trial 2, 80 lambs were allocated to four treatments: weaning onto first-cut alfalfa (early alfalfa, EA), second-cut alfalfa (late alfalfa, LA) birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) and unweaned controls (CON2, pastured on second-cut alfalfa). Daily gains for CON2 lambs were greater (P less than .05) than gains of EA and LA lambs (327 vs 136 and 136 g, respectively) for d 28 to 40, but not different (P greater than .05) for d 40 to 56 (245, 227 and 195 g, respectively). Gains for BFT lambs were lower (P less than .05) than for CON2 lambs for both periods (122 and 136 g, respectively), and BFT lambs appeared to be unthrifty after weaning. By d 32, weaning caused plasma glucose to decline 16.0 mg/dl and plasma nonesterified fatty acids to increase 365 mu eq/liter from preweaning levels. Hematocrit values ranged from 31 to 35% (Trial 1) and 25 to 29% (Trial 2), suggesting that the weaned lambs did not suffer from dehydration. Crossbred lambs can be weaned at 28 d of age directly onto first-cut or second-cut alfalfa.     

The effect of human growth hormone-releasing factor or porcine somatotropin on serum hormones and metabolites, growth performance and carcass traits in swine

Forty barrows (77.9 +/- 5.5 kg BW) were allotted to one of five treatment groups to examine the effects of various doses of human growth hormone-releasing factor (1-44)NH2 (hGRF) or porcine somatotropin (pST) administered twice daily on serum hormones and metabolites, performance and carcass traits. Barrows were injected s.c. with either a placebo, 10 micrograms hGRF.kg BW-1.12 h-1, 20 micrograms hGRF.kg BW-1.12 h-1, 20 micrograms pST.kg BW-1.12 h-1 or 40 micrograms pST.kg BW-1.12 h-1 for a 36-d growth trial. Blood samples were collected from 13 barrows at intervals for 360 min after injection on d 21. Compared with the placebo, 10 micrograms hGRF.kg-1.12 h-1 increased (P less than .01) serum pST and insulin and decreased (P less than .001) urea N. Injecting 20 micrograms hGRF/kg.12 h-1 elevated (P less than .001) serum pST, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) but lowered (P less than .001) urea N. Exogenous pST increased (P less than .001) serum pST, insulin, IGF-I and glucose but decreased (P less than .001) urea N. Growth rate tended to increase, and feed intake and feed/gain decreased, in a dose-related manner in response to hGRF. Also, pigs receiving 10 or 20 micrograms hGRF.kg-1.12 h-1 had reduced (P less than .1) backfat and increased (P less than .1) loineye area and percentage lean in the ham compared with pigs receiving the placebo. At equal doses, pST elicited more dramatic improvements in performance and carcass criteria than did hGRF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Stimulation of pig growth performance by porcine growth hormone and growth hormone-releasing factor

The current study was undertaken to determine the effects of human growth hormone-releasing factor [hpGRF-(1-44)-NH2] on growth performance in pigs and whether this response was comparable to exogenous porcine growth hormone (pGH) treatment. Preliminary studies were conducted to determine if GRF increased plasma GH concentration after iv and im injection and the nature of the dose response. Growth hormone-releasing factor stimulated the release of pGH in a dose-dependent fashion, although the individual responses varied widely among pigs. The results from the im study were used to determine the dose of GRF to use for a 30-d growth trial. Thirty-six Yorkshire-Duroc barrows (initial wt 50 kg) were randomly allotted to one of three experimental groups (C = control, GRF and pGH). Pigs were treated daily with 30 micrograms of GRF/kg body weight by im injection in the neck. Pigs treated with pGH were also given 30 micrograms/kg body weight by im injection. Growth rate was increased 10% by pGH vs C pigs (P less than .05). Growth rate was not affected by GRF; however, hot and chilled carcass weights were increased 5% vs C pigs (P less than .05). On an absolute basis, adipose tissue mass was unaffected by pGH or GRF. Carcass lipid (percent of soft-tissue mass) was decreased 13% by GRF (P less than .05) and 18% by pGH (P less than .05). Muscle mass was significantly increased by pGH but not by GRF. There was a trend for feed efficiency to be improved by GRF; however, this was not different from control pigs. In contrast, pGH increased feed efficiency 19% vs control pigs (P less than .05). Chronic administration of GRF increased anterior pituitary weight but did not affect pituitary GH content or concentration. When blood was taken 3 h post-injection, both GRF- and pGH-treated pigs had lower blood-urea nitrogen concentrations. Serum glucose was significantly elevated by both GRF and pGH treatment. This was associated with an elevation in serum insulin. These results indicate that increasing the GH concentration in blood by either exogenous GH or GRF enhances growth performance. The effects of pGH were more marked than for GRF. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal dose of GRF to administer in growth trials and the appropriate pattern of GRF administration in order to determine whether GRF will enhance pig growth performance to the extent that exogenous pGH does.     

Effects of programmed growth rate and days fed on performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate a feeding regimen in which a programmed amount of feed was offered daily to control growth rate of steers. In Exp. 1, steers (n = 107, 309 +/- 3 kg) were used to determine effects of offering ad libitum access to feed (AL) vs a programmed intake feeding regimen (PI) and the number of days steers were fed (168 vs 203) on performance and carcass characteristics. Steers in the programmed intake feeding regimen were fed to achieve a predicted gain of 1.13 kg/d for the first 78 kg of gain, 1.36 kg/d for the next 124 kg of gain, and were given ad libitum access to feed for the final 54 or 103 kg of gain before slaughter (for steers fed for 168 d or 203 d, respectively). Feed efficiency was greater (P < 0.02) for steers in the PI than for those in the AL feeding regimen (0.193 vs 0.183 kg gain/kg feed, respectively). From d 169 to 203, steers in the PI feeding regimen had greater (P < 0.06) ADG (1.60 vs 1.38 kg/d) and similar (P = 0.38) feed efficiency than steers in the AL regimen. In Exp. 2, steers (n = 96; 308 +/- 3 kg BW) were offered feed ad libitum throughout the experiment (AL) or were programmed to gain at a high (PI-H) or low (PI-L) growth rate. For the first 78 kg of gain, intake was restricted to achieve predicted gains of 1.13 kg/d (PI-L) or 1.25 kg/d (PI-H). For the next 124 kg of gain, intake was restricted to achieve predicted gains of 1.36 kg/d (PI-L) or 1.47 kg/d (PI-H). Feed was offered ad libitum for the final 58 kg of gain. Overall ADG was similar (P > 0.37) among feeding regimens despite lower DMI for the steers in the PI-L and PI-H feeding regimens than for those in the AL regimen. Feeding regimen did not affect (P < 0.22) carcass characteristics. Programmed intake feeding regimens sustained growth rate and feed efficiency for an extended period of time without detrimental effects on carcass characteristics.     

Effects of compensatory growth on some body component weights and on carcass and noncarcass composition of growing lambs.

A trial was conducted in 1983 and repeated in 1984 to measure effects of restricted feed intake and realimentation on weights of organs and on carcass and noncarcass composition. A total of one hundred six weaned lambs from two breeds (Timahdit and D'man) and a breed cross (Ile de France x D'man) were used in both years. Lambs were allotted to one of six feed intake regimens: HH (ad libitum access to feed from 21 to 30 kg); HM (ad libitum access to feed from 21 to 26 kg then 70% ad libitum to 30 kg); MH (70% ad libitum from 21 to 26 kg then ad libitum to 30 kg); MM (70% ad libitum from 21 to 30 kg); LH (restricted to lose weight from 21 to 17 kg then ad libitum to 30 kg); and LM (restricted to lose weight from 21 to 17 kg then 70% ad libitum to 30 kg). Weights of visceral organs and mesenteric and kidney fat showed dramatic responses to alteration of feed allowances. After recovery from 20% live weight loss, weight of liver equaled or exceeded that of both the ad libitum and 70% refed lambs. Mesenteric and kidney fat did not. Refeeding was accompanied by an increase in water (P less than .05) and a decrease in fat (P less than .01) of both carcass and noncarcass components. These results indicate that weight loss of lambs incurred during feed shortage was largely in internal organ weights, and that these lambs can recover these losses during realimentation and undergo compensatory growth with better feed efficiency and lean carcasses.     

Lactation performance of sows injected with growth hormone-releasing factor during gestation and(or) lactation.

Fifty-two Yorkshire x Landrace gilts were equally allotted to four treatments: 1) controls, saline injections (CTL); 2) injections of 12 mg of growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) (1-29)NH2 thrice daily (0700, 1500, and 2300) from d 100 of gestation until parturition (GEST); 3) injections of GRF thrice daily from d 3 to 29 of lactation (LACT); and 4) injections of GRF thrice daily during gestation (d 100 to parturition) and lactation (d 3 to 29) (GEST-LACT). Within 48 h of birth, litters were standardized to 9 +/- 1 pigs. Weights of the pigs were recorded weekly from birth (less than 24 h) until weaning (d 30) and on d 42 and 56. Weights of gilts at mating, d 110 of gestation, 1 d postfarrowing, and at weaning also were recorded. On d 24 of lactation, milk yield was estimated by the weigh-suckle-weigh method, and a representative milk sample was obtained the next day. Jugular vein cannulas were inserted into six sows per treatment on d 26, and a 6-h blood profile (sampling every 20 min from 0600 to 1200) was obtained on d 29. Daily feed consumption of sows was recorded throughout the study. Weights of the pigs at any one time or survival until weaning were not affected by treatments (P greater than .1). Sows injected with GRF during GEST (P = .05) and(or) LACT (P less than .01) were lighter than CTL sows at weaning; in addition, sows treated during lactation had less backfat (P less than .01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of a ractopamine feeding program on growth performance and carcass composition in finishing pigs

Barrows and gilts (n = 100 per gender) were used to determine the effects of an increasing, decreasing, or constant ractopamine (RAC) dietary concentration on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Pigs, within a gender, were assigned randomly to pens (five pigs per pen and 10 pens per treatment). Pens were assigned randomly to one of four dietary treatments at a starting weight of 71.2 kg, to target an average ending weight of 109 kg. The four dietary treatments (as-fed basis) were 1) control = 0 ppm RAC, wk 0 to 6; 2) RAC step-up = 5.0 ppm, wk 1 to 2; 10.0 ppm, wk 3 to 4; and 20.0 ppm, wk 5 to 6; 3) RAC step-down = 20.0 ppm, wk 1 to 2; 10.0 ppm, wk 3 to 4; and 5.0 ppm, wk 5 to 6; and 4) RAC constant = 11.7 ppm, wk 0 to 6. Feed allocation was recorded daily, and pigs were weighed and feed was weighed back every 2 wk. Jugular blood samples were obtained from two randomly selected pigs per pen on d -3, 7, 21, 35, and 41 for determination of plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) concentrations. Two pigs were selected randomly per pen and sent to a commercial slaughter facility at the end of the 6-wk experimental period. Carcass data were evaluated on an equal time basis and on an equal weight basis by using hot carcass weight (HCW) as a covariate. Overall, ADG and G:F were improved (P < 0.05) for pigs fed RAC compared with control, with no differences among RAC feeding programs. In wk 3 and 4, improvements (P < 0.05) in ADG and G:F were realized with the implementation of a RAC step-up program compared with control pigs. The concentrations of PUN were decreased (P < 0.05) at d 7 and 21 with RAC feeding, and a RAC step-up program maintained the decrease (P < 0.05) in PUN through d 35 and 41. A RAC step-up and constant program increased (P < 0.05) HCW and percent yield. Loin muscle area and percentage of fat-free lean increased (P < 0.05) and backfat thickness decreased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed RAC. If pigs were considered to be on feed for an equal time period, advantages (P < 0.05) were observed for weight of boneless trimmed ham, shoulder and loin for the step-up and constant RAC treatments compared with the controls. Feeding a RAC step-up or constant feeding program resulted in favorable responses in growth performance and yielded more lean pork.     

Effect of human growth hormone-releasing factor and(or) thyrotropin-releasing factor on growth, carcass composition, diet digestibility, nutrient balance, and plasma constituents in dairy calves

Sixty male dairy grain-fed calves, raised from 70 to 223 kg BW in individual crates, were used in a 2 X 2 factorial arrangement to determine the effect of administration of human growth hormone-releasing factor (1-29)NH2 (GRF) and(or) thyrotropin-releasing factor (TRF). Calves received twice-daily s.c. injections of .9% NaCl (control), GRF (5 micrograms/kg BW), TRF (1 micrograms/kg BW) or GRF (5 micrograms/kg BW) plus TRF (1 micrograms/kg GTRF). Average daily gain and days on feed were not affected by treatments, but TRF treatment increased (P less than .05) total intake of dry matter (DM) and feed conversion ratio: 3.00, 3.02, 3.08, and 3.22 kg DM/kg weight gain for control, GRF, TRF, and GTRF, respectively. During two 7-d periods, after 66 and 75 d of treatment, feces and urine were collected from 40 calves (5 per treatment per period). Treatment with GRF increased (P less than .05) digestibility of DM, nitrogen (N), and energy and tended (P less than .20) to increase N retention. At slaughter, withers height was increased (P = .05) by GRF and carcass length was increased (P less than .05) by TRF. Pituitary and liver weights were increased (P less than .05) by TRF. The combination of GRF and TRF slightly increased (P less than .10) protein content and decreased (P less than .05) fat content of the 9-10-11th rib section. After d 1, GRF treatment chronically increased (P less than .05) insulin concentrations and also increased (P less than .10) IGF-I concentrations on d 29 and 57. In summary, chronic treatment with GRF and(or) TRF did not improve growth or efficiency, although GRF increased digestibility of DM, N, and energy and the GRF plus TRF combination resulted in slightly leaner carcasses.     

Effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue and an estradiol-trenbolone acetate implant on somatotropin, insulin-like growth factor I, and metabolite profiles in growing Hereford steers.

Hereford steers (290 +/- 6 kg of BW) were implanted (n = 4) with 140 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 28 mg of estradiol-17 beta (E2 beta) or nonimplanted (controls, n = 4). In Trial 1, effects of a single i.v. injection of 0, 20, 40, or 80 micrograms of a growth hormone-releasing factor (1-29 NH2) analogue (GRFa) on release of endogenous somatotropin (ST) were evaluated in a double 4 x 4 Latin square design. Plasma samples (n = 21) were obtained from -20 to 240 min after GRFa injection. Area under the ST response curve (AUC) increased (P = .009) in a dose-dependent manner (.2, 2.6, 3.6, 4.3 mg.min-1.mL-1, respectively). Mean ST concentration was not affected (P = .238) by implant but AUC was greater (P = .009) in implanted than in control steers. There was no interaction (P = .460) between dose of GRFa and presence of implant. In Trial 2, 80 micrograms of GRFa was administered at 12-h intervals to the same eight steers. Response of ST (AUC) to the first and last (13th) i.v. injection of GRFa was similar and not affected by implant. Before GRFa administration, plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations were greater (P = .039) in implanted than in control steers (272 vs 164 ng/mL). Administration of GRFa increased plasma IGF-I (P = .0001), decreased plasma urea N (PUN) (P = .0001), and did not alter plasma glucose (P = .447) in both control and implanted steers. Data indicate that effects of GRFa and TBA/E2 beta on plasma IGF-I and PUN concentrations were additive in this study.     

Feeding forage mixtures of alfalfa hay and maize stover optimizes growth performance and carcass characteristics of lambs

A feeding experiment was carried out to determine the effects of different proportions of alfalfa hay and maize stover on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of fattening lambs. Forty‐two healthy 3.5‐month‐old male Small‐tail Han lambs of 23.89 ± 0.38 kg body mass were assigned to seven groups, which were fed mixed diets composed of maize stover and alfalfa hay containing 0%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or 100% maize stover on a dry matter (DM) basis. Each lamb received 1.5 kg DM of forage mixture three times daily and supplementary concentrate (0.5 kg corn per lamb per day) for 60 days. Compared with the control forage diet of maize stover only, forage intake rate and forage conversion rate on the 40% maize stover/60% alfalfa hay mixture were 30% and 5% higher, respectively. Body weight, dressing percentage and net income were 6.7 kg, 8% and 94.37 Yuan higher per lamb, respectively. Thus, feeding lambs with a forage mixture of maize stover and alfalfa hay in a ratio of 40:60 optimized the production performance, slaughter performance, and the income derived from lambs.