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Nitrate Containing Rations for Cattle Supplemented with Either Urea or Soybean Meal¹

University of Missouri, Columbia

Abstract

Methemoglobin, blood urea, blood nitrate and hematocrit were used to evaluate the effects of feeding either urea or SBM supplements to 30 Hereford calves receiving sudan grass hay containing 3.2% KN0₃. Two calves receiving the urea supplement died of apparent nitrate toxicity 4 days after the start of nitrate feeding. The blood urea, nitrate and methemoglobin levels indicate that cattle receiving the urea supplement adapted to the nitrate in the ration to a greater extent than the cattle receiving the SBM supplement. The SBM supplemented cattle never completely adapted to the nitrate in the ration as shown by increases in the above criteria when increased levels of nitrate were fed.

There was an increase in hematocrit levels for both the urea or SBM supplemented groups. No methemoglobin was observed on day 10, however, numerous incidences were noted from day 24 until the termination of the trial, particularly those animals receiving the SBM supplement. The additional energy from corn supplied to groups 3 and 4 were apparently not supplied in sufficient amounts to affect nitrate metabolism.

¹ Contribution from Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, Journal Series No. 5816. Approved by the Director.