HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wheeler, W. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Wheeler, W. E.

Influence of Cement Kiln Dust on Reticulorumen Parameters of Beef Steers Fed Complete Diets

US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705

Abstract

Research was conducted to determine the influence of cement kiln dust and (or) protein supplementation on intake and reticulorumen measurements of beef steers fed complete diets consisting of 53% timothy hay and 47% concentrate. A 4 x 4 Latin square design was used with the following dietary treatments: (1) no kiln dust without protein supplementation, (2) 3.5% kiln dust without protein supplementation, (3) no kiln dust with protein supplementation; and (4) 3.5% kiln dust with protein supplementation. The two protein supplemented diets contained 12.3% crude protein while the other two diets contained 8.6% crude protein.

Steers fed the diet containing no kiln dust without protein supplementation had the greatest weight, volume, dry matter and water content of reticulorumen ingesta. Kiln dust addition and (or) protein supplementation increased reticuloruminal dry matter disappearance rates by 18.6, 34.8 and 27.2% when compared to steers fed the diet containing no kiln dust without protein supplementation. Steers fed the diet containing no kiln dust without protein supplementation had the lowest concentration of total volatile fatty acids, molar percentage of propionic acid and the highest molar percentage of acetic acid in reticulorumen fluid. An in situ dacron bag technique was used to estimate organic matter digestibility and rate constant for digestion of the complete diets. Potential organic matter digestibilities (percentage loss after 72 hr) were 74.3, 86.9, 85.1 and 86.0% while respective rate constants for digestion (per hour) were .044, .050, .051 and .052. Results from this study indicate that part of the growth response to kiln dust in previous feedlot trials may be attributed to changes in the reticulorumen environment.

¹ Ruminant Nutrition Laboratory, Nutrition Institute, Science and Education Administration, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705.

² Present address: US Department of Agriculture, Science and Education Administration, Agricultural Research, Roman L. Hruska US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933.

³ The author acknowledges D. G. Barnett, L. H. Barr, Jr. and S. E. Floyd of Polk County, GA for supplying the cement kiln dust used in this trial.