Abstract
Blocks based on cooked beet molasses, cane molasses, or concentrated separator by-product, CSB) were tested to compare their effects on intake and digestion of prairie hay by beef steers. All blocks contained at least 30% crude protein. Steers fed the cooked molasses blocks consumed and 22% more forage than control steers, but forage intakes were not different among the three different blocks. Intakes of digestible organic matter and neutral detergent fiber, indicators of energy available to the steers, were increased 38 and 29% respectively, by block supple-mentation but were not different among the three blocks. However, total tract organic matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities, expressed as a percent of intake, were slightly higher for steers fed the beet molasses block than those fed the cane molasses block or the CSB block. In summary, supplementation with cooked molasses blocks that contained adequate degradable protein increased forage intake and digestion. Generally, blocks made from the different by-products elicited similar responses, though steers fed the beet molasses product tended to have greater digestibilities than those fed blocks made from cane molasses or concentrated separator by-product.
Highlights
Deficiencies of degradable intake protein can reduce digestion of dormant forage, which, in turn, can limit forage intake and reduce the energy available to grazing cattle
Blocks based on cooked beet molasses, cane molasses, or concentrated separator by-product, CSB) were tested to compare their effects on intake and digestion of prairie hay by beef steers
Blocks made from the different by-products elicited similar responses, though steers fed the beet molasses product tended to have greater digestibilities than those fed blocks made from cane molasses or concentrated separator by-product
Summary
Deficiencies of degradable intake protein can reduce digestion of dormant forage, which, in turn, can limit forage intake and reduce the energy available to grazing cattle. To increase forage intake and digestion and, energy available to cattle, supplements containing ruminally degradable protein are often fed. We demonstrated that cooked molasses blocks (based on beet molasses) containing 30% crude protein (12% from nonprotein nitrogen) increased forage intake and digestion. Various molasses products including beet molasses, cane molasses, and concentrated separator by-product (CSB, desugared beet molasses) are available for use as base ingredients in cooked molasses blocks. Composition of cooked molasses blocks may vary with availability and(or) cost of base ingredients. Alterations in base ingredients will affect the source and quantity of carbohydrates, protein, and minerals added to blocks. Our objective was to evaluate effects of blocks with similar nutrient composition but different ingredient composition on intake and digestion of prairie hay by beef steers
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