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In Situ and In Vivo Digestibilities and Nutrient Intakes by Sheep of Alkali - Treated Soybean Stover

University of Illinois¹, Urbana 61801

Abstract

In situ experiments indicated that a mixture of 6% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and 2% calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)₂] was the optimum chemical level for enhancing the nutritive value of soybean stover (SBS). Alkali-treated SBS was used in the preparation of three of the following four diets: SBS, alfalfa (ALF), 2 parts SBS:1 part ALF and 1 part SBS:2 parts ALF. A sheep metabolism trial was used to determine intakes and digestibilities of dry matter (DM) and cell wall constituents (CWC) as well as nitrogen (N) balance. Alkali -treatment of SBS did not improve either intake or digestibility of SBS components when SBS was fed as the sole source of nutri -ents. However, improvements in intake and digestibility occurred when alkali - treated SBS was blended with ALF. Significant positive associative effects in intakes and digestibilities were observed between different components of alkali-treated SBS and ALF. The positive associative effects and the beneficial effect of alkali treatment were most dramatic with the 2 parts SBS:1 part ALF blend. Nitrogen retention was significantly lower when sheep were fed alkali - treated SBS compared with other treatments. Approximately 38% ALF in the forage blend resulted in no gain or loss of N to the sheep.

¹ Dept. of Anim. Sci.