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Biuret¹ and Urea in Supplements for Bovines Fed Green Chop Elephant Grass

Centro de Investigaciones Agronómicas, Maracay, Venezuela

Abstract

The effects of adding biuret or urea to supplements for young bulls consuming a tropical forage (elephant grass) in the blooming stage of maturity were studied. Body weight gains and forage consumption were not significantly affected although improved gains were observed with the addition of non-protein-nitrogen. Rumen pH, ammonia and blood urea were increased (P<.01) with the biuret and urea diets. No differences were noted for rumen cellulose digestion or rate of in vitro fermentation. Ruminal concentration of acetic acid was increased by urea while other individual fatty acids were not affected. Total volatile fatty acids (C₂–C₅) were higher for the urea ration due primarily to the increased amount of acetic acid. Digestibility of dry matter, cellulose and protein were not significantly affected by treatments. Significantly more nitrogen was retained from the biuret ration than from the urea diet. Nitrogen retained from the control ration was significantly lower than that from either of the two non-protein-nitrogen rations.

¹ Feed-Grade Biuret 230% protein equivalent, courtesy of Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Michigan.

² Centro de Investigaciones Agronómicas, Maracay, Venezuela.

³ Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Maracay, Venezuela.

⁴ University of Florida, Gainesville.