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Montmorillonite Clay in Feed Lot Rations

University of California, Daws 95616^,2

Abstract

Feeding a ration supplemented with clay containing 80% montmorillonite and having a relatively high ion-exchange capacity, produced no deleterious effects on either fattening or growing steers. Performance of fattening steers was 1% less when fed 2% clay with no difference in food intake. Shrunk body weight gains in growing steers were not significantly affected by inclusion of either 2 or 4% clay in isocaloric rations; but when 4% clay was substituted for beet pulp and fat, animal performance was significantly reduced (P<.05). Empty body weight gains were significantly (P<.01) increased by the inclusion of 2 or 4% clay in isocaloric growing rations.

Compared to an isocaloric control, an average of 10% less dry matter was required per pound of empty body weight gain when either 2 or 4% clay was included in a growing ration but not in a fattening ration.

¹ Contributions of money and clay by Mr. H. K. Hebbard of Cal-Min Co., Brawley, California, are gratefully acknowledged as is the contribution of cattle by Mr. Earl Harriss, Brawley, California and by Beken Bros., of Weimar, Texas. Special thanks go to Dr. Lynn D. Whittig of the Department of Soils & Plant Nutrition for his consultation and for the X-ray and cation-exchange analyses of silicate.

² Department of Animal Science.