Intake and digestibility of urea-treated whole-crop wheat by growing heifers

Abstract

The use of whole-crop wheat harvested at the hard dough (55-65% DM) stage has advantages of high yields of DM, and no effluent production. Treatment with urea prior to storage prevents fermentation or moulding, increases the nitrogen (N) content and may increase digestibility (Deschard et al, 1987; MacDearmid et al, 1988).The objective of this experiment was to investigate the intake and digestibility of urea-treated whole-crop wheat when fed alone, or when supplemented with an energy supplement (molassed sugar beet pulp) and a protein supplement (fish meal).