J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1961. 20:429-432.
© 1961 American Society of Animal Science
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Effect of Levulinic Acid on Digestibility, Fatty Acid Production and Microbial Activity in Dairy Heifers and Wethers1

D. E. Waldern2, 4,, W. K. Roberts3, 5,, T. H. Blosser2 and I. A. Dyer3

Washington Agricultural Experiment Station, Pullman

Abstract

Four bred dairy heifers and four wethers were used in digestibility studies in 4 x 4 Latin square designs. Basal rations of oat straw + molasses + concentrate, or alfalfa + molasses, alone, or supplemented with levulinic acid at approximately 25 pounds per ton were fed to dairy heifers. Basal rations of 75% wheat straw + concentrates, or 37.5% wheat straw + 37.5% alfalfa + concentrates, alone, or with levulinic acid added at about 25 pounds per ton were fed to wethers.

Analysis of variance of the digestibility data indicated that levulinic acid at the level used in these trials, did not significantly (P>0.05) alter dry matter, energy, cellulose or crude fiber digestion, and total volatile fatty acids of rumen contents. However, dry matter and energy digestibility by wethers were increased significantly (P<0.05) by the addition of alfalfa to the wheat straw diet. Microbial activity of rumen fluid from wethers fed the alfalfa-wheat straw diet was significantly higher (P<0.01) than in animals fed wheat straw as the only roughage.

Footnotes

1 Scientific paper no. 2028, Washington Agricultural Experiment Stations, Pullman, Projects 1242 and 1439.

2 Department of Dairy Science.

3 Department of Animal Science.

4 Research Officer on leave of absence from Research Branch, Canada Dept. Agr.

5 Present address: Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg.






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