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Performance of Feedlot Cattle and Rumen Microorganisms as Influenced by Lignosulfonate¹

Washington State University^,3, Pullman 99164

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of lignosulfonate, a phenolic compound derived from spent sulfite liquor (SSL) of the paper pulping industry, on rumen microorganisms and performance of feedlot steers.

Eighteen Hereford steers individually housed and fed were utilized to study the effect of incorporating 8% and 12% SSL (containing 57% lignosulfonate on dry matter basis) into finishing rations. No significant differences in daily gains were detected between the control and SSL groups. Feed efficiencies were slightly lower for the 12% SSL treatment group but not significantly so (P>.05). Incorporation of SSL into the rations did not affect carcass characteristics or carcass grade of the experimental animals. The concentration of free phenol in plasma of steers receiving the 8 and 12% SSL rations was 2.88 ppm and 2.96 ppm, respectively, double that of the control. However, no adverse effects were observed upon postmortem inspection.

A closed in vitro system was used to examine the effects of lignosulfonate (4, 8, 12 and 16% SSL) on dry matter digestibility and VFA production with substrates of alfalfa and soybean meal or bleached paper. Dry matter digestibility was significantly decreased (P<.05) with the soybean meal-alfalfa substrate by addition of SSL, but not with bleached paper (P>.05). With a substrate of bleached paper and SSL levels of 12, 24 and 48%, dry matter digestibility decreased to about half that of control at the 24% level of SSL and one third of control at the 48% level of spent sulfite Liquor.

In a comparison of the effect of 200 ppm each of phenol, SSL and tannic acid on dry matter digestibility, SSL and phenol were similar, having no effect on dry matter digestibility. Tannic acid reduced dry matter digestibility at 50 ppm concentration (P<.05) and dry matter digestibility was almost zero at 200 parts per million.

¹ Scientific Paper No. 4730. College of Agriculture Research Center, Washington State University, Pullman. Project 0302.

² Present address: Taiwan Sugar Corporation, 25, Pao-Chin Rd, Taipei, Taiwan.

³ Deaprtment of Animal Sciences.