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Effect of Dietary Fat and Graded Levels of Alfalfa on Growth and Tissue Lipids of the Bovine

University of Nevada,² Reno

Abstract

Thirty-six weanling steer calves were allotted to treatments in a 2 x 3 factorially designed experiment each year for 2 years. The winter treatments were two levels of fat (beef tallow) and three levels of alfalfa pellets. The basal part of the ration was native grass hay and a mineral mix. Following the winter period all cattle ranged together during the summer.

During the winter each increment of alfalfa pellets increased the rate of gain and feed consumption. The highest level of alfalfa increased the hematocrit. This effect on the hematocrit continued for 50 days after the dietary treatments were discontinued. Fat appeared to have no effect on winter gains. During the summer, winter fat supplements increased the rate of gain but the other summer gains were inversely related to the winter growth response.

During the winter, dietary fat increased the level of plasma fat, cholesterol, carotene and vitamin A. This effect was modified by different protein levels. The highest levels of these blood constituents were attained on the high fat—no alfalfa rations; the high fat-medium or high alfalfa rations were intermediate and the lowest levels were attained when fat was not included in the rations irrespective of alfalfa level. Dietary fat increased plasma lipid phosphorus, liver cholesterol and carotene. The content of vitamin A in the liver decreased with increasing levels of alfalfa in the diet; fat apparently had no effect.

With the exception of liver carotene and the hematocrit, winter treatments had no effect on the composition of the blood and liver during the summer period.

¹ Present address: Philips Petroleum Co., Arco, Idaho.

² Department of Animal Husbandry.