Chickpea Can Be a Valuable Local Produced Protein Feed for Organically Reared, Native Bulls

SIMPLE SUMMARY: We aimed to demonstrate the benefits of using chickpea as energy-protein feed in diets for bulls belonging to a native Italian breed (Maremmana) organically reared. Compared to the control diets containing barley, the dietary inclusion of chickpea improved the growth rate and carcass conformation of bulls, reduced the feeding costs, and did not impair the plasma metabolic parameters and meat quality. These results suggest that chickpea may allow a sustainable performance improvement of native breeds within their traditional farming systems. ABSTRACT: We assessed the effects of inclusion of chickpea from 24 to 21%, as feed basis, in diets for organically reared bulls. Sixteen young bulls (270 ± 6.4 days of age; 246 ± 0.13 kg in weight) belonging to a native Italian breed (Maremmana) were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments. The control diets were based on mixed grass hay, maize meal, and barley meal. In the experimental diets, barley was equally substituted by locally produced chickpea. Animals were weighed every 2 weeks until the prefixed slaughtering weight (630 kg). Plasma metabolites were measured at the 1st, 7th, and 14th month of the experiment. Chemical composition, colour, shear force, and water holding capacity of meat were assessed on Longissimus thoracis et lumborum 7 days after slaughter. The chickpea-fed animals showed a significantly greater average daily gain (1064 vs. 1168 kg/day), a shorter growing phase (364 vs. 335 days), and a better carcass conformation. Plasma metabolites and meat quality were not influenced by the treatments. The better growth performance and carcass quality of the chickpea fed bulls resulted in a higher economic profit for the chickpea-based diets. Results suggest that chickpea may allow sustainable performance improvement of native breeds within their traditional farming systems.