Performance, carcass yield and economic viability of sheep fed diets containing by-product of cotton agribusiness

<abstract> <p>The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing soybean meal with cottonseed cake in the diet offered to Santa Inês sheep on their performance, carcass yield and economic viability. Thirty-two uncastrated male sheep (27.48 ± 4.96 kg and 12 months old) were distributed in a completely randomized design, with 4 treatments (replacement of 0, 14, 28 and 42% of soybean meal with cottonseed cake in dry matter basis) and 8 replications. The inclusion levels of cottonseed cake in their diet provided a reduction in performance, thoracic perimeter, body capacity (measured <italic>in vivo</italic>), slaughter body weight, hot and cold carcass weights, external length, rump perimeter, thoracic perimeter, carcass compactness index, and leg compactness index (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). The weights of the left half carcass, shoulder, neck, loin, and leg were reduced with increasing levels of cottonseed cake in their diet (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). The quadratic effect was observed for the rib weight and the yield (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). Diets with cottonseed cake had lower total feed costs/animal, revenue, gross margin, and leveling price, and had a higher benefit/cost. Under experimental conditions, despite reducing the feed costs and presenting an improvement in the cost ratio benefit, the use of levels up to 42% of cottonseed cake in sheep diets is not recommended, as it negatively affects the animal performance, carcass weights, and commercial cuts.</p> </abstract>