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Coastal Bermudagrass Hay as a Source of Vitamin A for Beef Cattle^{1, 2,}

University Of Georgia, Athens

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to study the vitamin A status in cattle fed Coastal Bermudagrass hay.

In the first experiment two lots of 10 Angus steer calves each were fed Coastal Bermudagrass hays which had been fertilized with 125 lb. and 675 lb. of nitrogen per acre, respectively. The two groups of calves ate about equal amounts of their respective hays, and there was no significant difference in their average daily gains. In both groups large increases in blood carotene occurred after 84 days on test; however, there were significant decreases in blood vitamin A. The high-N group was more noticeable in this respect.

In the second experiment five uniform groups of eight steer calves each were randomly assigned to the following treatments: (1) alfalfa hay, (2) low-N Coastal Bermudagrass (CBG) hay, (3) high-N CBG hay, (4) high-N CBG hay plus beta carotene, and (5) high-N CBG hay plus vitamin A. All groups received in addition a low carotene concentrate mixture over a 127-day treatment period. No significant differences were noted in the feedlot performance of the five groups. However, while all treatments resulted in significant increases in both blood and liver carotene levels, there were in most instances significant decreases in blood and liver vitamin A levels in steers in all groups except those receiving 50,000 I.U. of vitamin A per head daily. Supplemental carotene (50 mg. per head daily) significantly increased blood carotene level, but had no significant effect on blood or liver vitamin A levels. Vitamin A levels were not affected significantly by high nitrogen fertilization.

¹ The Coastal Bermudagrass Hays Used In This Study Were produced by the Southern Piedmont Soil Conservation Field Station, SWC-ARS, Watkinsville, Georgia.

² Journal paper No. 404 of the College Experiment Station of tie University of Georgia College of Agriculture Experiment Stations.