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Digestibility, Ruminal Parameters and Growth by Cattle Fed a Waste Wood Pulp

U. S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705

Abstract

Wood pulp fines and activated sludge² from an ammonia base sulfite tissue mill were fed to three steers to determine ruminant digestibility of these wastes. Cellulose from the wood pulp fines was 92.8% digestible and crude protein from the sludge was 61.4% digestible. In a subsequent study, diets of either 75% pulp fines or 75% grass hay were fed to three ruminally fistulated steers. Steers fed pulp fines had a lower (P<.05) ruminal pH and a higher (P<.01) volatile fatty acid concentration than those fed the hay diet.

Fifteen beef heifers (avg weight, 264 kg) were fed a diet of 50% pulp fines for 99 days and gained weight more rapidly than heifers fed a control hay diet (.74 vs .47 kg/day; P<.001). Nine pregnant beef heifers were fed a diet of 75% pulp fines for 209 days, which included parturition. There were no differences (P<.05) in weight gain, calf birth weight or calving problems between these heifers and nine pregnant heifers fed the control hay diet. In both of these studies the cattle consumed the pulp fines readily and no unusual digestive or metabolic disorders were observed.

¹ Ruminant Nutrition Laboratory, Nutrition Institute, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Maryland 20705.