Utilization of sugar beet molasses and monensin for finishing dairy bullocks

Abstract Twenty-two bullocks (11 American Holstein × European Friesian (H × F) and 11 American Holstein × Moroccan Brown Atlas (H × B)) were used to evaluate effects of feeding levels of sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris altissima ) molasses with and without monensin and effect of maternal dam on feedlot performance. Three levels of molasses were fed (0, 30 and 60% of diet dry matter (DM)) with two levels of monensin; 0 or 200 mg h −1 /day, −M and +M, respectively. Dried sugar beet pulp was used as the primary energy source in the 0% molasses diets and molasses replaced it in the remaining diets. Animals consuming 0%−M or 30%+M had greater ( P −1 /day) was not effected by diet. Feed efficiency, (kg kg −1 ), was superior ( P P P P P −1 /day and feed efficiency (kg feed DM/kg liveweight gain) were greater ( P