Abstract
Sixteen ruminally-cannulated steers consuming dormant tallgrass-prairie forage were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: 1) control, no supplement; 2) soybean meal (SBM)+sorghum grain; 3) alfalfa hay; or 4) dehydrated alfalfa pellets. Forage dry matter (DM) intake was at least doubled by all three supplemental protein treatments (P<.01). In addition, steers supplemented with dehydrated alfalfa pellets displayed 15% higher forage DM intakes than steers supplemented with SBM+sorghum grain or alfalfa hay. Total DM digestibility did not differ (P>.10) among treatments; however, fiber (NDF) digestibility was depressed in steers supplemented with SBM+sorghum grain or dehydrated alfalfa pellets, compared with controls. Results from this study reinforce the concept that supplemental protein improves forage intake and utilization. Additionally, alfalfa hay and dehydrated alfalfa pellets appear to be at least as effective as SBM+sorghum grain when fed on an equal protein and energy basis.
Highlights
Forage dry matter (DM) intake was at least doubled by all three supplemental protein treatments (P
Steers supplemented with dehydrated alfalfa pellets displayed 15% higher forage DM intakes than steers supplemented with SBM+sorghum grain or alfalfa hay
Total DM digestibility did not differ (P>.10) among treatments; fiber (NDF) digestibility was depressed in steers supplemented with SBM+sorghum grain or dehydrated alfalfa pellets, compared with controls
Summary
Volume 0 Issue 1 Cattleman's Day (1993-2014) Soybean meal+milo, alfalfa hay, and dehydrated alfalfa pellets as protein sources for steers fed dormant, native tallgrass forage in drylot Follow this and additional works at: https://newprairiepress.org/kaesrr
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
