Potenzialità del cece nell’allevamento dei vitelloni Maremmani: scelta varietale e performance degli animali.

Chemical and nutritional characteristics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) cultivars and the effects of inclusion of chickpea in diets for Maremmana bulls were studied. Twenty-four cultivars were analysed; starch content widely varied whereas crude protein percentages were more constant and regular. In the feeding study, twelve Maremmana bulls, organically farmed, were allotted into two homogenous groups: the control one was fed the same diets used by the farmer, whereas the experimental group was fed diets in which barley meal was substituted by chickpea meal. Chickpea-fed bulls showed higher live weight from the age of 410 days onward, higher average daily gain and younger slaughter age. Carcasses from experimental group were better conformed compared to those of control group. Meat quality did not substantially differ between the groups. The estimated costs were comparable for chickpea-based and barley-based diets.