Levels Of Molasses Research Articles

The response of dairy cows given high levels of molasses to dietary levels of fermentable metabolisable energy

Unprotected tallow is used as a feed ingredient to meet the energy requirement of high milking dairy cows, but its hydrolysed free fatty acids in the rumen can inhibit microbial activity and dietary fibre digestion. However, the negative effects of the tallow could be minimized when high levels of molasses are also fed since feeding molasses could shorten the retention time of the hydrolysed free fatty acids in the rumen. In addition, molasses contains a large proportion of non-structural carbohydrates (sugars) which have fast fermentation rates in the rumen. When a diet is formulated to have a low fermentable metabolisable energy (FME) concentration, supplementing with a high molasses level may partially make up the deficiency of the energy requirement of the microorganisms in the rumen of dairy cows. Previous experiments have showed that molasses could be fed to dairy cows up to 312 g/kg DM without adverse effect (Yan and Roberts, 1992) and a crude protein level at 160 g/kg DM in the diet containing 310 g/kg DM of molasses was satisfactory for feed intake and milk production of dairy cows (Yan and Roberts, 1993). The current experiment was subsequently undertaken to investigate the response of dairy cows given high levels of molasses to dietary levels of FME produced by altering unprotected tallow concentrations in diets.

The effects of dietary protein levels on the performance of lactating dairy cows given high levels of molasses

Cane molasses is extensively used as an energy source for cattle because of its high content of water soluble carbohydrates. However, its very low crude protein content and its ability to reduce non-protein-nitrogen (NPN) utilisation in ruminants in comparison with cereal grains may restrict its inclusion in dairy cow rations. Adding vegetable protein or urea to a cow ration containing high levels of molasses may therefore result in a better match between the nitrogen and energy requirements of rumen microorganisms. A previous experiment showed that lactating dairy cows could be fed molasses in a grass silage-based complete diet up to 312 g/kg DM without adverse effects (Yan and Roberts, 1992). The present experiment was subsequently undertaken to evaluate the responses of lactating dairy cows to protein levels in complete diets containing this high level of molasses

The responses of lactating dairy cows to feeding of high molasses levels

Molasses has been fed to dairy cows for about a century. Extensive studies have shown that its energy value is worth from 75 to 100% that of maize when up to 10% of molasses is fed in a complete diet and high molasses inclusion in the diet can be detrimental to the responses of the animals. Nevertheless, the maximum inclusion rate of molasses in a diet that cows can tolerate has still been unclear. Few publications are available to describle the responses of cows to very high molasses feeding. This is a question, however, that both farmers and advisers are concious of. The present experiment was designed to evaluate the effects on milk yield and composition, feed intake, liveweight gain and health of lactating cows fed on very high levels of molasses, in comparision with those fed a relatively low level.Fifteen British Friesian late lactation cows (168 ± 6 days calved) all in second lactation or more were randomly allocated to a 3 x 3 changeover experiment with 21 day periods. The cattle were fed individually through Broadbent Calan Gates ad libitum on a complete diet of silage plus a liquid supplement including molaferm 20 (a mixture of 80% cane molasses with 20% condensed molasses solubles supplied by United Molasses Ltd.), soyabean meal and fish meal.

Utilization of sugar beet molasses and monensin for finishing dairy bullocks

Twenty-two bullocks (11 American Holstein × European Friesian (H × F) and 11 American Holstein × Moroccan Brown Atlas (H × B)) were used to evaluate effects of feeding levels of sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris altissima) molasses with and without monensin and effect of maternal dam on feedlot performance. Three levels of molasses were fed (0, 30 and 60% of diet dry matter (DM)) with two levels of monensin; 0 or 200 mg h −1/day, −M and +M, respectively. Dried sugar beet pulp was used as the primary energy source in the 0% molasses diets and molasses replaced it in the remaining diets. Animals consuming 0%−M or 30%+M had greater ( P < 0.05) daily gains than animals consuming 30%−M or 60%−M (1.15, 1.15, 0.75 and 0.67 kg liveweight/day, respectively). Feed intake (kg DM h −1/day) was not effected by diet. Feed efficiency, (kg kg −1), was superior ( P < 0.05) for animals consuming 0%−M, 30%+M and 60%+M and 60%+M than for animals consuming 60%−M (7.60, 7.16, 9.29 and 13.84 kg DM/kg liveweight, respectively). Ruminal pH was increased ( P < 0.05) when monensin was fed. Digestibility of dietary DM, organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) increased linearly ( P < 0.05) with increasing levels of molasses. A linear decrease ( P < 0.05) was observed for acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility and a quadratic decrease ( P < 0.05) was observed for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) as molasses level increased. Digestible energy (DE) content of the diets was unchanged with increasing levels of molasses. Feed consumption, kg DM h −1/day and feed efficiency (kg feed DM/kg liveweight gain) were greater ( P < 0.05) for the H × F animals than H × B animals. Carcass characteristics were also superior for the H × F animals.

Die potensiaal van chemies behandelde fluitjiesriet ( Phragmites australis )-hooi in onderhoudsdiete vir skape. 2. 'n Vergelyking tussen NaOH-behandeling en ammonisering met of sonder melasse in terme van verteerbaarheid, inname en stikstofretensie

The potential of chemically treated common reed (Phragmites australis) hay in maintenance diets for sheep. 2. A comparison between NaOH treatment and ammoniation with or without molasses with respect to digestibility, intake and nitrogen retention. A digestibility experiment was conducted with sheep to determine the effect of NaOH treatment and ammoniation in combination with three levels of molasses. Intake, digestibility and N utilization were evaluated in a design consisting of three 3 x 3 Latin squares. Both chemical treatments improved organic matter (OM) intake and the digestibility of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and OM highly significantlywhile molasses had a negative effect on these parameters in the case of both chemically treated diets. Chemical treatment had no significant effect on apparent N digestibility in the absence of molasses. In the case of ammoniation, however, 3 and 8% molasses decreased apparent N digestibility by respectively 12,6 and 22,8% compared to the untreated diet. In agreement with this observation, metabolic faecal N as a percentage of OM intake was increased by 36,4 and 48,4% respectively. Both chemical treatments decreased urine N as a percentage of N intake at the 0 and 3% molasses levels, while molasses per se significantly decreased the percentage of urine N in the case of the untreated diet. N retention was significantly improved by both chemical treatments, but the effect of molasses was not consistent between treatments.

The effect of molasses intake on rumen pH and degradability of hay dry matter in sheep

Cane molasses (CM) a by-product of sugar production, provides a relatively cheap means of increasing the energy content of ruminant diets. It is commonly thought that dietary concentrations of CM above about 200g/kg of the dry matter (DM) intake will lead to a reduction in rumen pH and hence have a depressant effect on forage digestibility. Recent work in vivo at the FEU and in vitro (ref 1) has suggested that there is an interaction between forage and CM, and indeed the in vitro experiment found evidence that increasing the proportion of CM actually enhanced the digestibility of the mixture. A further experiment was therefore conducted to monitor rumen pH and measure the degradability of hay DM in sheep fed increasing levels of molasses.

Utilization of cane molasses as a source of energy in the diet of young pigs

The effect of addition of different levels of cane molasses in the diet of young pigs was studied. During early periods (0–7 weeks) growth rate was depressed by above 10% levels of molasses, but in later periods (7–19 weeks) compensatory growth in the high molasses groups (20, 40% levels) resulted in no overall (0–19 weeks) difference in growth performance among different groups. While feed efficiency was reduced in high molasses groups, there was no effect on carcass quality. It was concluded that more than 10% molasses was not safe for young pigs, but adult, or near-adult, pigs could tolerate up to 47·5% of molasses in their diets.

Methods of improving the utilization of cereal straw by ruminants. V. The effect of molasses and dried grass

Sixteen castrated beef crosses (290 ± 7.8 kg) were used in a 4 × 4 factorial design. Straw treated with urea alone or urea plus 4, 8 or 12 kg of molasses/100 kg straw was offered to the steers ad libitum. The straw was supplemented with 5, 10, 15 or 20 g grass DM/day/kg metabolic liveweight. Straw intake (g DM/day/kg metabolic liveweight) was 57, 58, 62 and 55 for the four levels of grass, and 56, 59, 61 and 57 for the four levels of molasses, respectively. There was no interaction between grass and molasses. The liveweight change of steers increased with increasing grass. Molasses had no definite effect on liveweight change.

Ensiling of leguminous green forages in combination with different dry roughages and molasses

Ensiling of combinations of leguminous green forage and dry roughage has been studied in laboratory silos (capacity 1 l). In Experiment 1, the effect of addition of molasses at different levels (0, 5 and 10% on a fresh basis) has been studied on a combination of green berseem ( Trifolium alexandrinum) and wheat straw (80:20 on a fresh basis). There was a significant decrease ( P<0.01) in pH, ammonia-N, total volatile fatty acids, dry matter disappearance and number of coliform bacteria, and a significant increase ( P<0.01) in titratable acidity and lactic acid on the addition of 5% molasses. Population of lactic acid bacteria and total plate count did not vary significantly in any of the treatments. However, there was no significant difference in the quality of silage at the 5 and 10% levels of molasses or at 40 and 80 days of fermentation. In Experiment 2, three different roughages, i.e. wheat straw, paddy straw and sugarcane bagasse, were ensiled in combination with green cowpea ( Vigna sinensis) and molasses (30:65:5 on a fresh basis). A low pH (<4.5) was obtained with all the three combinations. However, titratable acidity and lactic acid production was minimum in silage containing sugarcane bagasse. The in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of paddy straw and wheat straw containing mixtures increased on ensiling by 3.6 and 6.0%, respectively, while there was no change in IVDMD of the mixture containing sugarcane bagasse.

Effect of wilting and the additives, straw, molasses and urea on the fermentation pattern of maize silage

The process of ensiling was studied in fresh maize (15% dry matter (DM)), wilted maize (18 and 24% DM) and maize mixed with 5–20% of wheat straw (18, 25 and 29% DM). Silages with 24% DM were preserved better than those with lower dry matter content. There was a significant change, with time, in pH, titrable acidity, volatile fatty acids, lactic acid, number of lactic acid bacteria, volatile nitrogen and soluble sugars in all the treatments. There was a significant decline in volatile fatty acids ( P<0.05) and ammonia ( P<0.01) production, and a significant increase in soluble sugar ( P<0.01) in silages made after wilting. A significant decline in titrable acidity ( P<0.01), volatile fatty acid production ( p<0.05) and ammonia nitrogen ( P<0.01), and a significant increase in pH ( P<0.01) were found in silages of maize mixed with wheat straw. The overall rate of fermentation decreased during the first few days of fermentation in wilted and wheat straw silages, but the final products had characteristics of a good silage. In the second experiment the effect of urea and molasses was studied on wheat straw plus maize (15:85) silage with an initial DM content of 31–34%. Three levels of molasses (0, 3 and 6% of fresh weight) and two levels of urea (0 and 0.5% of fresh weight) were studied. Urea treatment with 3% molasses was found to be the best on the basis of silage characteristics.

The supplementary feeding of sheep consuming Mulga (Acacia aneura) with low levels of molasses and urea under field conditions.

Mature Merino wethers grazing mulga (Acacia aneura) in south-west Queensland were supplemented for 21 weeks with 50 or 100 g DM molasses day with or without 6 g urea day -' .Growth rates and clean fleece yields in the supplemented groups were higher (P &lt; 0.05) than in unsupplemented controls. The control group lost liveweight during the experiment. Growth rates and clean fleece yields were higher (P &lt; 0.05) in groups receiving 100 g DM molasses day -' than in the groups receiving 50 g DM molasses day-'. Provision of urea depressed (P &lt;0.05) growth rates and clean fleece yields. Differences were not as evident when comparing clean wool production per unit area and fibre diameter: significant (P &lt;0.05) differences only occurred between the two levels of molasses supplernentation. Fibre diameter was larger in each of three measure- ment periods and clean wool production per unit area was higher in the middle measurement period for groups receiving 100 g DM molasses day -' .

The effect of high levels of molasses in combinations with hay on digestibility of organic matter, microbial protein synthesis and volatile fatty acid production in vitro

Fermentation in vitro of 0 100 , 10 90 , 40 60 and 70 30 cane molasses/hay mixtures in media containing urea, trace minerals and vitamins showed a progressive improvement of digestible organic matter in vitro (INVDOM) of hay as the level of molasses increased. Replacement of urea by soya bean meal induced a lower INVDOM of hay in the mixture with 70% molasses. Structural carbohydrates (hay) induced higher microbial synthesis per unit digestible organic matter (DOM) than simple sugars (molasses). The results observed emphasized the importance of adding urea to molasses for improved digestion of hay and a higher percentagge of propionic acid in the rumen. The effect of formulation of molasses/hay rations with soya bean meal or urea on the pattern of fermentation is discussed.

Studies on the supplementary feeding of sheep consuming mulga (Acacia aneura). 2. Comparative levels of molasses and urea supplements fed under pen conditions

Sheep maintained on a mulga (Acacia aneura) diet plus 2 g phosphorus (P) day-1 were supplemented with molasses at levels of 0, 50, 100 or 200 g DM day-1 with or without 8 g urea day-1. The supplements were offered for a period of 18 weeks and were then withdrawn and animals maintained on the basal mulga diet plus P for a further eight weeks. Provision of urea had no effect on mulga dry matter (DM) intakes or on any of the production measurements made. Daily DM intakes of mulga were significantly increased by molasses supplementation, intakes being 41 per cent, 57 per cent and 62 per cent higher than controls at levels of 50, 100 or 200 g DM molasses day-1 respectively. Liveweight gain followed a similar pattern, and at the end of the supplementation period liveweights for the 50, 100 and 200 g DM molasses day-1 were respectively 29 per cent, 42 per cent and 48 per cent heavier than the controls. Wool growth rates were significantly higher in all groups receiving molasses, the response being linear with increasing levels of molasses supplementation. Fleece yields also showed a linear trend with increasing levels of supplementation, the major response being attributable to the provision of the first 50 g molasses. Cessation of supplementation resulted in a rapid decline in mulga DM intake to levels approximately that of the controls. Liveweights of supplemented animals also declined during the post-supplementation period although in groups receiving either 100 or 200 g DM molasses day-1, they only declined to pre-experimental levels.

The Sugars and Various Cations Present in Cane Molasses and Their Effect on Diarrhea in Chickens

A series of three experiments employing 610 day-old chicks was conducted to determine the effect of the principal cations and of the various sugars found in molasses as causative agents of diarrhea.In the first experiment the sulfate salts of sodium, magnesium and potassium were fed individually and in all possible combinations. The results indicated that neither sodium nor magnesium administered individually produced a laxative effect. However, an appreciable laxative effect was obtained when potassium was administered.The second experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding potassium and magnesium in the sulfate and chloride forms. The maximum fecal moisture was obtained when a combination of the potassium, magnesium, chloride and sulfate ions were fed. The administration of either potassium or magnesium alone in either the sulfate or chloride form did not appreciably affect fecal moisture compared to a 15% sugar control. These data were interpreted to indicate that the total ions present in molasses are more important than any of the individual ions as a causative agent of diarrhea.In the third experiment fructose, glucose and sucrose were fed individually and in all possible combinations to determine the effect of the various sugars present in molasses as causative agents of liquid feces. The results indicated that the sugars present in molasses are not the primary cause of diarrhea when high levels of molasses are fed.

Level and Form of Rice Straw in Steer Rations

Two feedlot trials were conducted to study the performance of steers fed rations containing different levels, forms and grinding screen size of rice straw. Steers receiving 20% ground rice straw consumed more concentrate and gained faster resulting in heavier carcasses than steers fed 20% pelleted or long rice straw or 5% ground, pelleted or long rice straw (P<.05). There was no significant differences in the concentrate intake, gains or carcass weight of steers fed 5% rice straw in any form or long or pelleted rice straw fed at the 20% level. The performance of steers fed 5% rice straw and all-concentrate rations was similar. The size of the grinding screen had no significant influence on performance of steers fed 5 or 20% rice straw rations. Molasses levels of 10 or 25% did not appear to influence gain or carcass weight but feed efficiency was slightly decreased when 25% molasses was included in the 20% rice straw ration. Ruminal fluid from steers fed 20% ground rice straw was higher in acetate and lower in propionate for steers fed 5% rice straw or all-concentrate rations. There was very little difference in ruminal fluid due to the grinding screen size or molasses level.

Abomasal Nitrogen in Steers Fed Soybean Meal, Urea or Urea Plus Two Levels of Molasses

The quantity and quality of nitrogen reaching the abomasum of steers fed SBM, urea, urea and 2.5% molasses or urea and 10.0% molasses were determined using four abomasal fistulated steers in a 4×4 latin square. Total nitrogen reaching the abomasum, estimated by nitrogen:chromic oxide ratios was determined and separated into protein, bound-amino and free-amino nonprotein nitrogen and purine-pyrimidine nitrogen. Quantitative estimates revealed that only 79.4% as much nitrogen reached the abomasum in steers fed urea as in steers fed SBM. Addition of 2.5% molasses to urea increased daily abomasal nitrogen to 92.5% of that from SBM feeding, and addition of 10.0% molasses to urea was of no benefit over 2.5% molasses. While differences between means were not statistically significant (P>.05), significant treatment effects were recorded at P<.2. Abomasal nitrogen composition was similar on all rations with the urea ration showing somewhat lower quantities of purine-pyrimidine nitrogen. There were no differences due to ration treatment in the amino acid composition of abomasal contents.

Effect Of Addition Of Molasses And Period Of Preservation On Physical And Nutritional Properties Of Maize Stover Silage

An experiment was undertaken to determine the physical and nutritional properties, in vitro digestibility and metabolizable energy of maize stover ensiled with different levels of molasses at three different ensiling times (45, 90 and 135 days). Maize stover was collected from field immediately after harvesting the corn, chopped and were preserved in plastic containers under normal condition and were treated as control (T0) (sample only), sample ensiled without additives (T1), sample with addition of 20% water (T2), sample with addition of 20% water and 2% molasses (T3), samples with addition of 20% water and 4% molasses (T4), sample with addition of 20% water and 6% molasses (T5). After completion of each ensiled period, physical and nutritional properties, in-vitro digestibility and metabolizable energy were determined. The result reveals that physical properties (color, smell, softness and fungal growth) of maize stover were improved in molasses treatments. It was also improved with increasing the ensiling time from 45 to 135 days. Among the treatments T4 was found best, as there were no fungal growth. The crude protein (CP) content of maize stover was increased (P&lt;0.01) and the dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and crude fibre (CF) contents were decreased (P&lt;0.01) after ensiling and addition of molasses. The highest DM, OM and CF content was found to be 72.33, 87.70 and 37.08% in T0 and highest CP was found to be 10.67% in T4 but the lowest DM, OM, CF and CP was found to be 63.17% in T2, 82.68% in T3, 28.18% in T5 and 6.28% in T0. The DM, OM, CP and CF contents were similar (P&gt;0.01) at different ensiling time (45 to 135 days). The OMD (organic matter digestibility) and ME (metabolizable energy) contents were increased by ensiling with molasses. The highest OMD and ME values were observed in treatment T4 which were 42.01% and 6.50 MJ/kg DM, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that the addition of molasses improved the physical and nutritional properties and preservation capacity of maize stover after 135 days of ensiling. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v37i2.9880 BJAS 2008; 37(2): 42-51

Evaluación del Uso de Melaza en Dietas Para Cerdos en Crecimiento y Engorde

En la producción moderna de cerdos, la alimentación representa del 70 a 80% de los costos. En zonas tropicales que no tienen ventajas comparativas para producir cereales, pueden utilizar alternativas alimenticias como papa, yuca, malanga, camote, caña de azúcar, melaza y otros subproductos agro-industriales. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de cuatro niveles de melaza en la dieta de cerdos en las etapas de crecimiento y engorde. El estudio se realizó entre enero y mayo de 2005 en la Escuela Agrícola Panamericana, Honduras. Se utilizaron cuatro grupos de 30 cerdos cada uno, con peso promedio de 27 kg en la etapa de crecimiento y de 48 kg en la etapa de engorde, los cerdos eran cruces de Landrace, Yorkshire, Duroc y cruce con verracos híbridos de la empresa PIC. Los tratamientos fueron 0, 10, 20 ó 30% de melaza en la dieta para ambas etapas. Se utilizó un Diseño Completamente al Azar, con cuatro tratamientos y tres repeticiones. Se realizó un Análisis de Varianza mediante el Modelo Lineal General (GLM), con una probabilidad menor a 0.05. Los cerdos que recibieron la dieta con 0% de melaza tuvieron una mayor ganancia de peso (781 g/cerdo/día) que los que recibieron melaza, no se encontraron diferencias entre los tratamientos en el consumo de alimento ni en el índice de conversión alimenticia en la etapa de crecimiento. En la etapa de engorde no se encontraron diferencias significativas (P&gt; 0.05) para ninguna de las variables evaluadas. Es posible alimentar cerdos con dietas que contengan hasta un 30% de melaza sin alterar el rendimiento en canal, grasa dorsal ni área del lomo. Los costos de alimentación se pueden reducir hasta un 22% en dietas con 30% de melaza para la etapa de crecimiento y 24% en la etapa de engorde, sin embargo, el mayor margen sobre el costo de alimentación encontrado fue en dietas con 20%.Palabras clave: Área de lomo, desempeño animal, grasa dorsal, rendimiento de canal DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ceiba.v47i1-2.441 Ceiba, 2006. Volumen 47(1-2):3-9

Título en español.

En varios estudios conducidos durante los períodos inicial y de engorde con aves asaderas, y durante los períodos inicial y de crecimiento con aves de líneas ponedoras, niveles tan altos como 20 por ciento de miel de caña en dietas prácticas fueron utilizados satisfactoriamente por las aves. Se discutieron las variaciones observadas en los diferentes estudios. En este estudio se usó aserrín como camada, asignándose un área promedio de 0.19 m. 2 por ave, o sea, el doble de lo que generalmente se recomienda para condiciones (0.09 m. 2) comerciales. En esas condiciones, el nivel de un 20 por ciento de miel en la dieta causó una camada compacta y el de un 15 por ciento una semi-compacta. Estos resultados indican que de usarse una densidad poblacional equivalente a la que se acostumbra comericalmente, los niveles de un 15 y un 10 por ciento de miel en la dieta hubiesen causado una camada compacta. Es necesario determinar cual es el nivel máximo económico de miel en la dieta que no causa una camada compacta antes de poder hacer recomendaciones definitivas sobre el particular en el caso de las dietas de las aves para asar. Se evaluaron los datos en cuanto al costo del alimento y su relación con la eficiencia de su utilización. Se discutió la inconsistencia de ciertos datos obtenidos en experimentos previos y se describió una nueva técnica para la incorporación homogénea de la miel.

Responce of Lactating Cows to Two Levels of Mill-Run Blackstrap Mollasses from Cane Grown on Organic Soil

Complete rations containing 4.2 or 12.6% of mill-run blackstrap molasses were compared with a control ration for lactating dairy cows in six 3×3 Latin squares balanced for residual effects in each of two years.Yield of 4% fat-corrected milk decreased from the control of 23.5kg to 22.8 for the 4.2% level and to 22.3 for the 12.6% level. Fat percent decreased progressively from 4.17 to 4.10 and 4.02, and solids-not-fat from 9.06 to 8.98 and 8.94. Difference in molasses levels did not produce significant effects, but comparisons of the control to molasses without separation into levels revealed depressions significant at 5% for yields of milk and solids-no-fat at 1% for fat yields, fat percent, and yield of 4% fat-corrected milk.