J. Anim Sci.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J. Anim Sci. 1986. 63:894-901.
© 1986 American Society of Animal Science
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Brandt, R. T.
Right arrow Articles by Klopfenstein, T. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Brandt, R. T., Jr.
Right arrow Articles by Klopfenstein, T. J.

Evaluation of Alfalfa-Corn Cob Associative Action. I. Interactions between Alfalfa Hay and Ruminal Escape Protein on Growth of Lambs and Steers1

R. T. Brandt, Jr.2 and T. J. Klopfenstein

University of Nebraska3, Lincoln 68583-0908

Abstract

Three trials evaluated associative action of alfalfa in ammonia (NH3)-treated corn residue diets and(or) potential ruminal degradable protein x escape protein interactions. In trial 1, 128 crossbred steers (250 kg) were fed 0 or 3% NH3-treated residue diets replaced by 0, 15, 30 or 100% of alfalfa hay. Basal diets were formulated to contain adequate metabolizable and crude protein but were nearly devoid of ruminal degradable protein. Ammonia treatment increased (P<.02) dry matter (DM) intake of residues. Pooled across residue treatment, intake increased linearly (P<.01) with increased level of alfalfa. A residue treatment x level of alfalfa interaction (P<.02) for daily gain resulted because the response to level of alfalfa was linear (P<.01) for nontreated residues and quadratic (P<.01) for NH3-treated residues. Similar responses (P<.07) were found for efficiency of gain, indicating that addition of 15 or 30% alfalfa promoted greater associative action for combinations involving NH3-treated vs nontreated residues. In an in vitro trial (trial 2) with the same corn cob and alfalfa diets used in trial 1, NH3 treatment increased (P<.01) in vitro DM disappearance and rate of cell wall digestion of corn cobs. Alfalfa had no effect on rate of nontreated cob cell wall digestion, but increased (P<.01) the rate for NH3-treated cobs. In trial 3, 36 crossbred wethers (25 kg) were fed NH3-treated corn cob diets containing 0 or 30% alfalfa with supplemental protein being either 100% nonprotein N or 50% nonprotein N and 50% high ruminal escape protein. Alfalfa increased (P<.01) intake, daily gain and efficiency of gain for NH3-treated cob diets. Supplementation of 50% of the crude protein requirement as slowly degraded protein increased (P<.01) daily gain. Alfalfa and supplemental N source interacted (P<.01) on efficiency of gain. In the three trials, alfalfa contributed ruminal escape protein, degradable protein and(or) other nutrients to improve utilization of NH3-treated cob diets.

Footnotes

1 Published with the approval of the Director as Paper No. 7871, Journal Ser., Nebraska Agr. Exp. Sta.

2 Present address: Kansas State Univ., Garden City Branch Exp. Sta., Garden City 67846.

3 Anim. Sci. Dept.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1986 by the American Society of Animal Science.