Influence of increasing proportion of supplemental nitrogen from urea on intake and fermentation characteristics in beef steers consuming low-quality, tallgrass-prairie forage

Date

2010-09-10T19:54:48Z

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service

Abstract

Five ruminally and duodenally fistulated Angus × Hereford steers were used to determine intake and fermentation responses associated with increasing the proportion of supplemental degradable intake protein (DIP) provided by urea. Steers had free access to a dormant, tallgrass-prairie forage. The supplemental DIP was provided by sodium caseinate and (or) urea , at a level that was determined previously to optimize use of a similar forage. Supplemental DIP was balanced with corn starch to provide a final supplement of 40% crude protein. Percentages of DIP from urea were: 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. Supplements were given intraruminally. Increasing the percentage of urea as supplemental DIP from urea did not significantly affect forage DM intake; however, fermentation characteristics changed.

Description

Keywords

Beef, Beef cows, Intake, Rumen fermentation, Forage

Citation