Author : Jamie Kunkel
Release : 2012
Genre :
Kind : eBook
Book Rating : /5 ( reviews)
Book Synopsis Effects of Protein Supplementation and Forage Quality on Intake and Digestion in Cattle by : Jamie Kunkel
Download or read book Effects of Protein Supplementation and Forage Quality on Intake and Digestion in Cattle written by Jamie Kunkel. This book was released on 2012. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In many pasture and rangeland scenarios, low-quality forages (6-8% CP) are the primary energy source for some portion of the year. At these times, energy is typically the first limiting nutrient to the ruminant. Low-quality forages are generally not limited in availability; however, the high cell wall content and reduced levels of CP prevent ruminants from being able to extract the harvested energy. Without provision of supplemental nutrients, the available energy may be inadequate to meet performance expectations. Protein supplementation during periods of inadequate forage quality has been observed to alleviate ruminal nitrogen deficiencies and increase forage utilization. Increased forage utilization translates into greater energy extraction allowing for increased animal performance. The first trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of utilizing non-protein nitrogen (a slow-release urea compared to urea) on intake and digestion of beef steers consuming low-quality bermudagrass hay. Steers were provided ad libitum access to a low-quality bermudagrass hay (7.3 % CP and were ruminally dosed once daily with either urea or slow-release urea (SRU) at levels to provide 0, 64, 128, or 192 mg of N/kg of initial BW per day. Additionally, steers were supplemented with glycerol at levels of 0 or 0.1% of initial BW per day. Total OMI and forage OMI (FOMI) increased quadratically (P