Molasses-based Liquid Supplement Research Articles

162 Effect of molasses-based liquid supplement vs. corn-based dry supplement on beef cattle feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and intestinal length

Abstract Molasses-based liquid supplements contain sugars that can be fermented into butyrate, the primary source of energy for gastrointestinal (GIT) epithelial cells and may improve gut health and enhance beef cattle performance. The aim of this study was to examine how a molasses-based liquid supplement, in contrast to a dry-based supplement, impacts the performance, carcass characteristics, and intestinal length of beef cattle. Crossbred steers [n = 60; body weight (BW) = 381.7 ± 1.3 kg] were divided into 10 pens (5 pens per treatment; 6 steers per pen) and were assigned to one of two treatment groups: dry, which consisted of a 10% ground corn-based dry supplement, or liquid, which included a 10% liquid molasses-based supplement. All the steers were fed a high-forage diet (56%) and were transitioned to a high-grain diet (7%) on d 1 of the experiment. The animals were on feed for an average of 122 d and had ad libitum access to feed and water. Steers were weighed every 21 to 28 d, and feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), and gain to feed ratio (G:F) were assessed both overall and for two distinct periods: the initial period (IP) from d 0 to 69, and the subsequent or second period (SP) from d 70 until slaughter. Intestinal length was measured at the time of slaughter. Data analysis was performed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Body weight and ADG did not differ between treatments in either period, or overall (P ≥ 0.41). However, it is noteworthy that feed intake was greater for steers that received the dry supplement during both periods as well as across the entire study (P ≤ 0.04). In terms of G:F, steers provided with the liquid supplement demonstrated a tendency for improved efficiency in the second period (P = 0.09) and an overall greater efficiency (P = 0.04) compared with those receiving the dry supplement. Intestinal length exhibited no difference for both the small and large intestine (P ≥ 0.57). For carcass data parameters no differences were observed for hot carcass weight, dressing %, or %KPH (P ≥ 0.24). Fat depth tended to be greater (P = 0.06), and yield grade (P = 0.01) and marbling score (P = 0.03) were greater for the steers fed the dry supplement. Rib-eye area was greater (P = 0.03) for the liquid supplement group. Therefore, these findings suggest feeding a liquid based supplement to steers on a 93% concentrate diet decreases intake, maintains BW, and improves feed efficiency and carcass leanness compared with steers fed a dry supplement. However, the improvement in efficiency as a result of feeding a liquid based supplement was not caused by an increase in absorptive capacity through increased intestinal length.

Effect of a molasses-based liquid supplement on gastrointestinal tract barrier function, inflammation, and performance of newly received feedlot cattle before and after a transport stress.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a dry versus a molasses-based liquid supplement on ruminal butyrate concentration, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) barrier function, inflammatory status, and performance of newly received feedlot cattle. In experiment 1, 60 mixed breed steers (234 ± 2.1 kg) were weaned, held overnight at a sale barn, then transported 14 h to Purdue University. After arrival, steers were weighed, blocked by body weight, and allotted within block to treatments (six pens per treatment and five steers per pen). Diets consisted of 45% roughage and 55% concentrate (dry matter basis). Treatments differed in the supplement source as follows: DRY: 10% dry supplement or LIQUID: 10% liquid molasses-based supplement. Feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), and gain:feed were determined for the three 21-d periods and overall. In experiment 2, 16 crossbred heifers (246 ± 7.5 kg) were used (8 heifers per treatment). Diets were the same as in experiment 1 and were fed for 60 d. On d 56 ruminal fluid samples were collected at 0, 3, 6, and 9 h after feeding. To mimic a stress event, heifers were transported for 4 h on d 61, rested overnight, and transported 12 h on d 62. Blood was collected from heifers immediately prior to transport and immediately upon their return. Gut barrier function using a Cr-EDTA marker was determined after transportation. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Steers fed the liquid supplement had greater (P ≤ 0.03) ADG through d 42 and overall compared to steers fed the dry supplement. Feed intake did not differ (P = 0.25) between treatments from d 0 to d 21. However, steers fed the liquid supplement showed greater (P < 0.001) dry matter intake after d 21 and overall compared to those fed the dry supplement. Steers fed the liquid supplement tended (P < 0.09) to have reduced serum haptoglobin and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) compared to those fed the dry supplement. Heifers fed the liquid supplement had greater (P = 0.02) Cr in urine and tended (P = 0.07) to have lower serum LBP after transport compared to those fed the dry supplement. Heifers fed the liquid supplement had 72% lower serum haptoglobin before, but only a 19% lower serum haptoglobin after transport compared to animals fed the dry supplement (treatment × time; P = 0.07). Therefore, the liquid supplement altered GIT barrier function, and improved inflammatory status, resulting in increased growth of receiving cattle.

Effects of increased dietary roughage during the late finishing period on beef cattle performance, carcass traits, and blood, ruminal, and faecal characteristics

Finishing cattle consume diets high in concentrates to efficiently deposit both muscle and adipose tissue while decreasing cost of gain during finishing. Concerns regarding liver abscesses and late finishing period morbidity and death loss have led to interest in increasing dietary roughage concentrations during late finishing. The objective of the current experiment was to evaluate the effects of increased roughage inclusion late in the finishing period on growth performance, carcass traits, blood, inflammation markers, ruminal, and fecal characteristics of feedlot steers. Crossbred beef steers (n = 60; initial body weight; BW = 289 ± 35.6 kg) were blocked by BW and assigned to experimental dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design during the final 58 d on feed. Experimental treatments included control (CON; 6% roughage DM), intermediate (INT; 12% roughage DM), and high (HGH; 18% roughage DM) roughage diets (CON = 5 pens and INT and HGH = 4 pens; 4 steers per pen). All experimental diets contained dry-rolled corn, prairie hay, Sweet Bran (Cargill, Inc., Blair, NE), dry supplement, urea, and a corn steep and molasses-based liquid supplement. The inclusion rate of roughage and dry-rolled corn were adjusted for each experimental treatment diet. Overall dry matter intake (DMI) tended to increase linearly (P = 0.02) with increasing roughage concentration. No differences in BW, overall average daily gain (ADG), or gain to feed (G:F) were observed (P ≥ 0.72). Rib eye area increased linearly with increasing roughage concentration (P = 0.02). Fat thickness, hot carcass weight (HCW), marbling, liver score, and kidney, pelvic, and heart fat (KPH) did not differ (P ≥ 0.29) among treatments. Steers consuming the HGH diet had a lower fecal pH at the end of the finishing period (P = 0.05) compared to CON and INT steers. Ruminal lactate was increased on d 14 for CON steers compared to other treatments (P &lt; 0.001). No differences were observed for ruminal pH (P ≥ 0.11) among treatments at any collection. Results from the current experiment suggest that increasing roughage late in the finishing period may not negatively impact growth performance or carcass characteristics but does alter feed intake and may alter fermentation and digestion.

194 Effects of feeding increased roughage to feedlot steers the last 56 days of finishing

Abstract Finishing cattle are fed high concentrate diets to increase deposition of both muscle and adipose tissue and decrease cost of gain. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of increased roughage inclusion late in the finishing period on growth performance, carcass traits, and ruminal and fecal characteristics of feedlot steers. Treatments included a control (CON; 6% roughage DM), intermediate (INT; 12% roughage DM), and high (HGH; 18% roughage DM) roughage diets. Crossbred beef steers (n = 54; BW = 289 ± 35.6 kg) were assigned to treatments for the late finishing period in a randomized complete block design (4 pens of INT and HGH, 5 pens of CON; 4 steers per pen). Experimental diets contained prairie hay, Sweet Bran, rolled corn, dry supplement, urea, and a corn steep and molasses-based liquid supplement. The inclusion rate of roughage and rolled corn were adjusted for each treatment diet. Steers in HGH tended to have increased overall DMI (P = 0.07). No differences in final BW, overall ADG, or gain:feed were observed among treatments (P ≥ 0.72). Steers fed HGH had the greatest REA (P = 0.03) and a tendency for a lower yield grade (P = 0.08). Fat thickness, HCW, marbling, liver scores, and KPH did not differ (P ≥ 0.29) among treatments. Steers fed the HGH diet had a lower fecal pH at the end of finishing (P = 0.05) compared to CON and INT steers. Ruminal lactate was increased on d 14 for CON steers compared to other treatments (P &amp;lt; 0.001). No differences were observed for ruminal pH (P ≥ 0.11). Results of this experiment suggest that increasing roughage late in the finishing period does not negatively impact growth performance or carcass characteristics, but may alter ruminal fermentation and post ruminal digestion.

Nitrate is safe to feed ad libitum in molasses roller drums as a source of non-protein nitrogen

We investigated voluntary intake, growth and safety of cattle offered low-quality forage diets plus isonitrogenous molasses-based liquid supplements containing either urea (U) or a calcium nitrate-containing compound (NO3). We hypothesised that changing the nitrogen source from U to calcium nitrate would not jeopardise animal health or affect intake. Angus cattle (n = 24) were allocated to six pens, with three pens each receiving a molasses supplement containing U or a molasses supplement containing NO3 for 31 days. There was a trend (P = 0.06) for the NO3 treatment group to consume more of the (oaten chaff) basal diet than the U treatment group. The U group consumed more supplement than did the NO3 group (1.31 vs 0.40 kg DM/head.day s.e.m. = 0.094, P &amp;lt; 0.0001), but total DM intake was not different (6.45 vs 6.10 kg/head.day, P = 0.15). Mean final animal liveweight was not different between treatments. Methaemoglobin levels were higher in the NO3 group (2.1 vs 1.3%, P &amp;lt; 0.001). Low consumption of nitrate was also reflected in there being no effect of nitrate on the methane production rate when assessed in open-circuit calorimetry chambers (7.1 vs 7.0 g/head.2 h, P = 0.898). It is confirmed that nitrate may be safely provided to cattle when dissolved at 154 g/kg in a molasses-based liquid supplement available ad libitum, but may not be an effective methane mitigant due to low NO3 intake. It is speculated that nitrate may be a useful tool to limit voluntary intake of non-protein nitrogen supplements.

Effects of feeding betaine-containing liquid supplement to transition dairy cows

Betaine is a natural compound found in sugar beets that serves as a methyl donor and organic osmolyte when fed to animals. The objective was to evaluate the effect of feeding betaine-containing molasses on performance of transition dairy cows during late summer in 2 trials. In early September, cows were randomly assigned to betaine (BET) or control (CON) groups either shortly after dry off (trial 1; n = 10 per treatment) or 24 d before calving (trial 2; n = 8 per treatment) based on parity and previous mature equivalent milk yield. Cows were fed common diets supplemented either with a liquid supplement made of molasses from sugar cane and condensed beet solubles containing betaine [BET, 89.1 g/kg of dry matter (DM)] or a sugar cane molasses-based liquid supplement without betaine (CON) until 8 wk postpartum. The liquid supplements had similar nutrient contents and were fed at a rate of 1.1 and 1.4 kg DM/d for pre- and postpartum cows, respectively. Starting at their entry in the studies, cows were housed in the same freestall barn without a cooling system. After calving, all cows were housed in the same barn cooled by misters and fans and milked thrice daily. Intake was recorded daily and body weight and body condition score were assessed every 2 wk. Milk yield was recorded at each milking and composition was analyzed weekly. Blood samples were collected weekly from a subset of cows to assess concentrations of metabolites and AA. No treatment effects were apparent for DM intake and body weight in the prepartum and postpartum periods. For cows enrolled at dry off, BET supported higher milk yield (45.1 vs. 41.9 kg/d) and fat content (4.78 vs. 4.34%) and elevated plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate in early lactation compared to CON. However, no differences were observed for milk yield, most milk component contents and yields, and blood metabolites between treatments for cows enrolled during the close-up period. Compared to cows in the CON group, BET cows enrolled during the far-off period tended to have lower plasma concentrations of Met, Thr, and Trp during the pre- and postpartum periods. They also had lower plasma concentrations of Lys and Phe before calving but higher plasma Gly concentration after parturition. In conclusion, feeding a betaine-containing liquid supplement from far-off through early lactation improves lactation performance but increases adipose tissue mobilization and production of ketone bodies in early lactation.

Controlling voluntary intake of molasses-based supplements in grazing cattle

Molasses-based liquid supplements fed ad libitum are widely used to provide additional metabolisable energy, non-protein N (NPN) and other nutrients to grazing cattle, but it is often difficult to achieve target intakes of supplementary nutrients. Experiments examined the effects of increasing concentrations of phosphoric acid, urea and ammonium sulfate on the voluntary intake (VI) of molasses-based supplements offered ad libitum to heifers grazing tropical pastures. In Experiment 1, the VI of a supplement containing 78 g urea/kg and 26 g phosphoric acid/kg as-fed (M80U+PA) was 3.61 g DM/kg liveweight (LW) per day, and provided 181 mg NPN and 32.4 mg phosphorus (P)/kg LW per day. Increasing the urea content of the supplement to 137 g/kg (M140U+PA) or 195 g/kg (M200U+PA) reduced VI of supplement DM, NPN and P by up to 76%, 44% and 80%, respectively. VI of supplement containing ammonium sulfate (M140+AS+PA) was lower (P &lt; 0.05) than that of M140U+PA supplement, and tended (P &gt; 0.05) to be lower than that of M200U+PA supplement. In experiment 2, the VI by heifers of a supplement containing 200 g urea/kg (M200U) was 1.53 g supplement DM/kg LW per day, which provided 186 mg NPN/kg LW per day. Inclusion of 49 g phosphoric acid/kg as-fed in this supplement (M190U+50PA) reduced (P &lt; 0.05) VI of supplement DM and NPN by 33% and 36%, respectively, while inclusion of 97 g phosphoric acid/kg (M180U+100PA) reduced (P &lt; 0.05) VI of supplement DM and NPN by 43% and 48%, respectively. The M190U+50PA and M180U+100PA supplements provided 16 and 26 mg P/kg LW per day, respectively. Heifers not fed supplements gained 0.07 kg/day, and the M200U supplement increased (P &lt; 0.05) LW gain to 0.18 kg/day. LW gain was further increased (P &lt; 0.05) by the M190U+50PA to 0.28 kg/day, indicating a growth response to supplementary P. No adverse effects of the supplements on animal health were observed in any of the experiments. In conclusion, addition of urea and/or phosphoric acid to molasses supplements effectively reduced VI of supplementary DM, NPN and P, and in the circumstances of Experiment 2, both molasses-urea and P supplements increased heifer LW.

A PROGRAMMABLE, MULTIPLE SUPPLEMENT CATTLE FEEDER FOR PASTURE USE

A mobile, programmable, multiple supplement cattle feeder for pasture use was designed, constructed, andevaluated. The feeder is capable of feeding an individualized ration of liquids and solids to cattle in a grazing system withoutthe need for AC power in a research pasture setting. The feeder is electrically powered by solar energy (with battery backup).Additional energy is stored in the form of compressed air held in two 53L (13.5gal) tanks, which must be charged by anexternal source. The design includes storage and metering equipment for up to five separate feed ingredients. Two pressuretanks with approximately 115kg (254lb) capacity are provided for fats or molassesbased liquid supplements; two smallbins with approximately 40kg (88lb) capacity are provided for small quantities of solids, and one 1.2m3 (42ft3) bin isprovided for grain concentrates. Animal identification is achieved using radio transponder ear tags, and control is handledthrough the use of a programmable logic controller.<br><br>A mixed group of 10 dairy heifers and cows were used to complete testing. Animals adapted readily to feeder use after initialtraining and no problems were encountered with tag reading. Liquids, grains, and smallspecialized solids were all meteredaccurately and consistently (coefficient of variation was 0.45% for liquids, 5.8% for small solids, and 2.3% for large solids)based on an individual animal program. Though effective for delivering molassesbased feeds, air leaks in theliquidmetering system required constant monitoring. Computer simulation of the power system suggests that it should handlesupplemental feeding of up to 20 grazing dairy cows at a central Pennsylvania location.

Influence of Urea Alone or Combined with Fish Solubles, Fish Meal, or Feather Meal in Liquid Supplement with and Without L-Carnitine on Performance and Ruminal and Metabolic Parameters of Weanling Calves 121Approved by the director of Louisiana Agric. Exp. Stn. as publication no. 00-11-0001.2Appreciation is extended to Omega Protein Inc. (Hammond, LA) for providing fish products and feather meal, to

Using growing calves (n = 368) grazing mature forage in three 84-d experiments, one objective was to compare the effects of feeding molasses-based liquid supplements containing urea (U) alone or combined with fish solubles (FS), fish meal (FM), or feather meal (FE) on performance, and blood metabolites. Another objective was to evaluate the effects on these criteria of adding carnitine to these supplements to provide 1 g·h−1·d−1 L-carnitine. Including FM or FE in the mixture improved (P<0.05) supplement consumption in two experiments and improved growth rate in all experiments. Carnitine improved the growth rate when U was the only protein source, but reduced growth rate when FM was included in the liquid supplement (P<0.05). During the growth phase, plasma ammonia N (PAN) was higher (P<0.05) when U was the only protein source as compared with FM or FE. Carnitine did not influence these metabolic parameters. During the metabolic phase of each experiment, calves similar to those used in the growth phase were dosed via stomach tube with 3 g liquid supplement/kg BW. Ruminal and blood samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after dosing. Ruminal ammonia N, PAN, and plasma urea N (PUN) concentrations were higher (P<0.05) when calves were dosed with U or FS supplement than when dosed with FM or FE supplements. Calves dosed with liquid supplement containing carnitine had lower (P<0.05) concentrations of ruminal ammonia N and PAN. Carnitine reduced (P<0.05) PUN in one experiment and increased (P<0.05) PUN in another. Branched-chain volatile fatty acids were increased (P<0.05) by dosing with FS or FM supplements. Including ruminally undegradable protein sources (FM or FE) in liquid supplement improved intake and performance and was related to reduced ruminal ammonia N, PAN, and PUN. Carnitine fed in liquid supplement also reduced ruminal ammonia N and PAN concentrations.

Liquid supplementation of grazing cows and calves

One hundred and one Angus cows (average weight 614 kg) and their bull calves (average weight 213 kg) grazing improved summer pastures were used to determine cow and calf intake of liquid supplement, and its effect on forage intake and performance. Forty-seven pairs had access to a 410 g CP/kg DM molasses-based liquid supplement in an open feeder and 54 pairs were not supplemented. The study was conducted in southwestern Montana from July 28 to October 3, 1997. Cows consumed significantly more supplement (0.3 kg/day) than calves (0.1 kg/day) but both consumed 0.5 g/kg bodyweight per day. Supplemented cows gained 0.12 kg/day more ( p<0.05) than unsupplemented cows; however, there was no difference ( p>0.10) in body condition score change. Average daily gain by supplemented calves was 30% greater ( p<0.01) than average daily gain by unsupplemented calves. Forage intake (g/kg body weight) by both supplemented cows and calves was 64% greater ( p<0.01) than forage intake by unsupplemented cows and calves. There was no difference ( p>0.10) in milk intake between supplemented and unsupplemented calves. There was no difference ( p>0.10) in time spent at the supplement feeder between cows and calves, averaging 5.0 min/day. Time at the feeder was lowest for 7-year-old cows, intermediate for 6- and 8-year-old cows, and highest for 9-year-old cows ( p<0.10). There was no difference ( p>0.10) in supplement feeding bouts/day between age groups of cows. Calf liquid supplement intake (g/kg body weight) and time spent at the supplement feeder were similar to intake and time spent at the feeder by cows. Liquid supplementation increased forage intake and average daily gain by cows and calves grazing improved forages in late summer. The cost for additional weight gained by the supplemented calves was US$ 0.33/kg and October cattle prices in Montana were US$ 1.64/kg. Liquid supplementation was cost effective under the conditions of this study.

Feathermeal/bloodmeal liquid suspensions for calves grazing winter wheat pasture (1997)

A field study was conducted over 2 years at four different locations in south central Kansas to compare a feathermeal/bloodmeal (ESCAPE) liquid suspension to a molasses-based liquid supplement (ENERGY) and a dry mineral supplement (CONTROL) on the liveweight gain of 768 calves grazing wheat pasture. No significant differences occurred in supplement intake between ESCAPE and ENERGY across years (P=.88). Offering a liquid supplement containing either ES CAPE or ENERGY did not improve (P=.91) growth performance relative to CONTROL calves.

Effect of molasses-based liquid supplements on digestibility of creeping bluestem and performance of mature cows on winter range.

Poor quality of tropical range forage leads to excessive weight loss and poor reproductive performance of beef cows. This research measured 1) the digestibility by steers fed creeping bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium var. stoloniferum) diets supplemented with cane molasses (0 or 20% of diet DM) and(or) added CP (no added CP, urea, or soybean meal) and 2) the performance of mature cows grazing creeping bluestem range and supplemented with 1.6 kg/(cow.d) (DM basis) of either molasses-urea or molasses-cottonseed meal-urea, each containing 30% CP (DM basis). Bluestem averaged 4.7% CP and 37.0% in vitro OM digestion. In the digestion trial, diets supplemented with molasses had greater (P < .01) apparent OM digestibility but lower (P < .01) apparent NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose digestibilities than diets not supplemented with molasses. Apparent OM digestibility of diets supplemented with soybean meal was greater (P < .05) than that of diets supplemented with urea but not different (P > .05) from the control. While grazing range, mature cows supplemented with molasses-urea lost less (P < .05) body condition (-1.7 vs -1.3) than cows supplemented with molasses-cottonseed meal-urea. Treatment did not affect cow weight loss on range (P = .85) or pregnancy rate (P = .51). Cows supplemented with molasses-urea tended to wean a heavier calf (P = .09). When fed at 1.6 kg/(cow.d) to mature cows grazing range, a molasses-based supplement containing urea was of equal value to one containing a natural protein.