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 Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Williams, D. L. Articles by Tillman, A. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Williams, D. L. Articles by Tillman, A. D.

Studies on Liquid Hemicellulose and Cane Molasses as Carbohydrate Sources in Urea-Containing Diets of Sheep

Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Stillwater^{,2, 3,}

Abstract

In the first trial, it was found that sheep lost weight when fed an all-liquid diet composed of urea, minerals and vitamin A dissolved in cane molasses. However, when the animals were fed 454 gm. of cottonseed hulls/day and allowed free access to the liquid, daily gains of 50 gm. were made. Sheep on the all-liquid diet consumed wool, which accumulated in the reticulorumen.

In a second trial, sheep were fed five different liquid feeds, patterned after the one used in trial 1. The liquids were cane molasses and a liquid hemicellulose product. Two of the rations contained only cane molasses or liquid hemicellulose, while three intermediates contained liquid hemicellulose:cane molasses ratios of 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3. The five liquid treatments were fed in combination with either cottonseed hulls, which were restricted to 680 gm./day or an acid-washed wood fiber offered at the same level. Animals consumed the cottonseed hulls rapidly but only consumed 140 gm. of the wood fiber/day. No wool picking was observed in any animal and those fed cottonseed hulls gained faster than those fed wood fiber. Liquid hemicellulose as the sole liquid portion of the diet promoted poor gains; however, the addition of the lowest level of cane molasses greatly increased gains and feed efficiency; any combination of hemicellulose and molasses promoted faster gains than liquid hemicellulose alone.

In trial 3, digestibility and nitrogen retention data were obtained on the five liquid treatments used in trial 2, with cottonseed hulls as the roughage source and the results were in agreement with the growth data.

The possible use of treated wood products for ruminant feeding is discussed.

¹ Institute of Animal Sciences and Industry.

² Approved by the Director.

³ Partial financial support provided by the Masonite Corporation, Chicago, Illinois.

⁴ Sold under the trademark of Masonex.