Protein-energy supplementation frequency on ruminal variables, intake and digestibility in steers receiving low quality hay

Marcella Cândia D'Oliveira,José Mauro Diogo,Maria Da Graça Morais,Fábio Arguelo Biberg,Gabriela Facholi Bomfim,Gumercindo Loriano Franco

doi:10.1590/1809-6891v21e-55241

Abstract

Abstract The aim was evaluated the effect of reduce in protein-energy supplementation frequency on nutrients intake, forage digestibility and degradability, as well as, ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3) concentration in beef cattle receiving low-quality hay. A 4 x 4 Latin square design were used. Four steers were fed with low-quality hay and subjected to four treatments: no supplementation (control); protein-energy supplementation with 0.82% of body weight (BW) offered three times per week (3WK); 0.49% of BW offered five times a week (5 WK), and 0.35% of BW offered seven times per week (7 WK). The use of protein-energy supplementation increased intake of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), ether extract (EE), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and the digestibility coefficients of CP, EE, and NFC. However, no differences in DM and NDF degradation visit the website to get the how were observed between treatments in the evaluated hay. Supplementation did not alter ruminal pH, but the N-NH3 concentration was highest in treatment 7WK. Reduction in protein-energy supplementation frequency of daily to 3WK or 5WK does not negatively affect intake, digestibility and degradability of nutrients in beef cattle receiving low quality hay.

Highlights

In ruminants, the grazing system with the use of low nutritional quality forage combined with the seasonality of forage production could result in loss of weight
This study evaluated the effect of protein-energy supplementation frequencies on ruminal variables, voluntary DMI, dry matter (DM) degradability, forage neutral detergent fiber(NDF), and total apparent digestibility in crossbred cattle receiving low-quality hay
The crude protein (CP) and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) digestibility was increased in the supplementation treatments and ether extract (EE) digestibility was higher for 7WK compared to 3WK treatments (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

The grazing system with the use of low nutritional quality forage combined with the seasonality of forage production could result in loss of weight. In order to sustain cattle, the feed derived from pasture must often be supplemented. This supplementation can be expensive including the purchase, transportation, and distribution of feed supplements and the labor involved in these tasks. The determination of types of supplementation and the frequency to be used is important to sustain cattle in cost efficient systems. Several studies have demonstrated the feasibility of minimizing costs of distribution of supplements for beef cattle without affecting the productive performance of animals through less frequent supplementation during the rainy season[1, 2, 3]. Decreased frequency of supplementation results in reduced labor and equipment costs associated with supplementation

Methods

Results

Conclusion