Effects of Cotton Straw and Apple Pomace mixed Ensilage on Growth Performance, Slaughter Performance, Meat Quality, Rumen Microbiota and Metabolome of Xinjiang Brown Cattle

This study explored the feasibility of replacing traditional corn silage with cotton straw-apple pomace micro-ensiled feed in fattening Xinjiang Brown Cattle. Twenty 22-month-old Xinjiang Brown Cattle bulls with similar body conditions (around 500 kg) were randomly divided into two groups (n=10 each): the control group (Con) fed corn silage, and the experimental group (Tre) whose roughage was fully replaced by the mixed ensilage. The 180-day experiment (with a 10-day adaptation period) evaluated growth performance, slaughter performance, meat quality, rumen fermentation parameters, rumen microbiota, and metabolome. Results showed the mixed ensilage did not affect growth performance but improved meat juiciness, reshaped rumen microbiota, and altered metabolite profiles, providing theoretical support for high-value utilization of agricultural by-products in Xinjiang.