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 Godbee, R. G. Articles by Slade, L. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Godbee, R. G. Articles by Slade, L. M.

The Effect of Urea or Soybean Meal on the Growth and Protein Status of Young Horses¹

Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80521 and and Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631

Abstract

Weanling, yearling and 2-year-old horses were fed low protein diets supplemented with either urea (U) or soybean meal (SBM) to determine the effect of N source on growth and protein status. Average daily gain (ADG) of the weanlings was greater (P<.05) when they were fed the SBM diet than when they were fed the urea diet (.64 vs .29 kg, respectively). There were no differences (P>.05) in ADG due to diet among the yearling or 2-year-old horses. Height at the withers or croup was not affected by diet in any age group. Concentrations of blood urea N were higher (P<.05) when the 2-year-olds were fed the urea diet than when they were fed the SBM diet (15.0 vs 14.0 mg/100 ml, respectively). There were no diet-related differences (P<.05) in blood glucose levels within any age group, but the yearlings had a lower (P<.05) average glucose level than the weanlings. Diet did not affect globulin levels, total protein levels or albumin to globulin (A:G) ratios within any age groups. There were, however, differences between age groups for each of these measures. The globulin and total protein levels in the yearlings (4.16 and 6.41 g/100 ml, respectively) and 2-year-olds (4.40 and 6.70 g/100 ml, respectively) were greater (P<.01) than those in the weanlings (3.47 and 5.72 g/100 ml, respectively). The globulin and total protein levels in the 2-year-olds were greater (P<.05) than those in the yearlings (4.40 and 6.70 vs 4.16 and 6.41 g/100 ml, respectively). Weanling horses had higher (P<.01) A:G ratios than yearlings and 2-year-old horses (.66 vs .54 vs .52, respectively).

¹ Publication No. 1849. Published with approval of the Director, South Carolina Agr. Exp. Sta.

² Dept. of Anim. Sci., Clemson Univ., Clemson, SC 29631.

³ Dept. of Anim., Dairy and Vet. Sci., Utah State Univ., Logan 84322.