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Utilization of Whole Aspen Tree Material as a Roughage Component in Growing Cattle Diets¹

Dakota State University, Brookings 57007

Abstract

The entire aspen tree (Populus tremuloides michx), including the branches, leaves and bark, served as a major component of a growing diet for yearling Hereford steers. Sixty steers (average weight 329 kg) were randomly allotted to six diets in which (1) 0, (2) 12, (3) 24, (4) 36, (5) 48 and (6) 48% of the diet dry matter was provided by aspen material. Diets 5 and 6 were the same except that NaOH (4%), was added to diet 6 before pelleting. Soybean meal (SBM) was used to replace the protein lost by the lower levels of alfalfa in diets 2 through 6. All diets were pelleted and fed ad libitum. Although all diets containing aspen resulted in significantly higher weight gains (except for the 12% aspen level) and feed efficiency than the alfalfa control, it is not reasonable to assume that aspen is an equivalent replacement for alfalfa. Steaks from aspen-fed steers were given taste panel ratings similar to steaks from cattle not fed aspen. No residual effects of aspen feeding were noted in taste panel evaluations of steaks from animals fed a finishing diet for an additional 85 days. It is apparent from the data that aspen supplemented with SBM could be included in diets of growing cattle up to a level of 48%. The economic importance of utilizing aspen will depend on several factors, such as the market price of traditional feeds, the cost of harvesting and transporting aspen from its source and cheaper methods of supplementing the aspen material to correct nutritional deficiencies.

¹ Approved for publication by the Director, Agr. Exp. Sta., South Dakota State Univ., as Journal Series No. 1665. This research was supported by a grant from the Game, Fish, and Parks Dept. of South Dakota.

² Present address: Food and Animal Research Inc., Juneau, WI 53039

³ Professor, Anim. Sci. Dept.