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 Saenger, P. F. Articles by Hendrix, K. S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Saenger, P. F. Articles by Hendrix, K. S.

Anhydrous Ammonia Treatment of Corn Stover and Its Effects on Digestibility, Intake and Performance of Beef Cattle^1,2,

Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907

Abstract

Three trials were conducted to evaluate the feeding value of corn stover treated with anhydrous ammonia (NH₃). Four yearling steers were fed corn stover ad libitum and one of three supplements (.91 kg/d) in a 4 X 4 Latin square digestion trial. Supplemental protein was provided by soybean meal, urea or corn (negative protein control). The diet including NH₃-treated corn stover (C-NH₃) was supplemented with corn supplement, as was one of the diets including control corn stover (NC). The diet containing NH₃-treated (2.0% NH₃, dry basis) corn stover had a higher (P<.05) dry matter digestibility (DMD) and higher crude protein content than the other three diets, and daily dry matter intake (DMI) was greatest (P<.001) with C-NH₃. N retention values for animals fed C-NH₃ were similar to those for animals fed control corn stover with soybean meal (CS) or urea (CU) supplements. An intake trial conducted with 20 yearling steers fed the four diets indicated that DMI of C-NH₃ (treated at 3.0% of dry matter) was greater (P<.05) than the DMI of any of the other diets. The DMI of diets supplemented with soybean meal or urea was greater (P<.05) than that of the negative control. Weight changes by steers fed the four diets were not different (P>.10). Fifty-six mature pregnant beef cows receiving diets similar to those fed in the first two trials were used in a 70-d performance trial. Cows fed C-NH₃ (treated at 3.2% of dry matter) had higher (P<.01) weight gains than cows fed CS, CU or NC. Condition score for cows fed C-NH₃ did not change, whereas condition score decreased for cows fed CS, CU or NC (P<.05). Birth weights were similar with all treatments. Under the conditions of these trials, NH₃ treatment improved the feeding value of corn stover.

¹ Journal Paper No. 8461, Purdue Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta., Dept. of Anim. Sci.

² Appreciation is extended to M. T. Mohler, J. R. Hodges, K. G. Hawkins and F. L. Potts for harvesting and feeding corn stover and caring for the experimental animals during the intake and cow performance trials.