HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Putnam, P. A. Articles by Davis, R. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Putnam, P. A. Articles by Davis, R. E.

Growth and Nitrogen Balance with Steers Fed Hi-N-Molasses

U. S. Department of Agriculture

Abstract

The nutritive value of a high-nitrogen-containing molasses for beef cattle was studied in a palatability-toxicity test, a feeding trial, and two metabolism trials.

The molasses appeared to be palatable when offered ad libitum to eight steers on a chopped hay diet during an 84-day test period. An average of 6.4 lb. of molasses and 12.5 lb. of hay was consumed per steer per day with no apparent ill effects to the nervous or digestive systems.

During a 168-day group feeding trial, the eight steers per treatment performed similarly whether they were fed a ration containing 30% hi-N-molasses or 30% molasses plus urea.

In the first metabolism trial, there were no differences in the digestibility of the nutrients with the exception of crude protein, which was less (P<.01) digestible in the ration containing the hi-N-molasses. Estimates of digestibility determined in the feedlot using the chromic oxide method confirmed the trends observed using metabolism crates.

In the second metabolism trial, when 40% of the ration was a high-nitrogen molasses, molasses plus urea or molasses plus cotton-seed meal, the dry matter and calories were less digestible in the high-nitrogen molasses ration than in the molasses plus urea rations. Fiber digestibility was less in the high-nitrogen molasses ration than in the cottonseed meal molasses ration and crude protein was more digestible in the urea containing rations than in those rations containing no urea.

Results from both metabolism trials indicated that there were no ration differences related to nitrogen retention when expressed as grams/day or as percent of the nitrogen consumed.

¹ The hi-N-molasses was obtained through the courtesy of E. F. Rice, Central Aguirre Sugar Company, Aguirre, Puerto Rico.

² The Everglade molasses was furnished through the courtesy of S. L. Crochet, United States Sugar Corporation, Clewiston, Florida.

³ Beef Cattle Research Branch, Animal Husbandry Research Division, ARS, Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. L. Lawler-Neville, S. M. Shellito, T. D. Maddock, M. L. Bauer, G. P. Lardy, T. C. Gilbery, and J. S. Caton Effects of concentrated separator by-product (desugared molasses) on intake, site of digestion, microbial efficiency, and nitrogen balance in ruminants fed forage-based diets J Anim Sci, August 1, 2006; 84(8): 2232 - 2242. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]