Abstract
Sixteen ruminally fistulated steers (avg wt. = 998 lb) were used in a 30-day conventional digestion trial to examine the effects of protein supplementation on intake and digestion of ammoniated wheat straw. Steers were assigned to one of four protein supplementation programs: 1) Control (C) - no supplement, 2) Low Protein (LP) - 4.5 lb of a 10% crude protein (CP) supplement, 3) Medium Protein (MP) - 4.5 lb of a 20% CP supplement, or 4) High Protein (HP) - 4.5 of a lb 30% CP supplement. Supplements were mixtures of milo and soybean meal. Supplementation increased (P<.05) dry matter intake, tended (P=.09) to increase intake of digestible neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and increased (P<.05) intake of forage dry matter. Dry matter digestibility was higher (P<.05) for HP steers than C and LP steers, but no difference was detected between MP, and HP steers. Steers on HP, MP, and C treatments exhibited higher NDF digestibility than LP steers. Rumen pH, total volatile fatty acid concentration, and acetate to propionate ratio were unaffected by supplementation.
Highlights
Wheat straw is abundant in Kansas but is of limited value because of its low digestibility
Sixteen ruminally fistulated steers were used in a 30-day conventional digestion trial to examine the effects of protein supplementation on intake and digestion of ammoniated wheat straw
Dry matter digestibility was higher (P
Summary
Wheat straw is abundant in Kansas but is of limited value because of its low digestibility. Recommended Citation Fike, G.D.; Simms, D.D.; Cochran, R.C.; Brandt, Robert T. (1993) "Protein supplementation of ammoniated wheat straw: effect on intake and digestion in beef steers," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol 0: Iss. 1. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service); 678; Beef; Ammoniation; Intake; Digestibility; Supplementation, ; Wheat straw Creative Commons License
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