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


     

J. Anim Sci. 1986. 63:902-910.
© 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 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 Articles by Brandt, R. T., Jr.
Right arrow Articles by Klopfenstein, T. J.

Evaluation of Alfalfa-Corn Cob Associative Action. II. Comparative Tests of Alfalfa Hay as a Source of Ruminal Degradable Protein1

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

University of Nebraska3, Lincoln 68583-0908

Abstract

The effect of ruminal degradable protein source in roughage diets on nutrient digestibility and animal growth was evaluated in two trials using lambs. In trial 1, two qualities of alfalfa and smooth brome hays replaced 0, 15, 30 or 100% of an ammonia (NH3)-treated corn cob negative control diet in a digestion trial using 26 mixed breed wethers (31.8 kg). Fifteen or 30% inclusion of hay increased (P<.01) dry matter (DM) intake, regardless of hay type or quality. Cell wall intake was highest for 100% high quality brome hay. Positive associative action on digestibility of DM and cell walls occurred with 30% of each hay tested when diets were fed ad libitum. Measured at equal intakes, DM and cell wall digestibilities were affected by forage type x level and forage quality x level interactions (P<.01), which showed that the magnitude of associative action was greater for 30% of high vs low quality and alfalfa vs brome hay, respectively. Magnitude of associative response on cell wall digestibility was more highly correlated to degradable N (r=.88) than cell solubles (r=.64) content of hay. In trial 2, 72 young growing lambs were allotted to three sources of supplemental ruminal degradable N (NH3, casein, corn steep liquor) superimposed upon two levels of alfalfa hay (0 or 30% of diet DM). Diets containing 0% alfalfa were supplemented with ruminal escape protein equivalent to that supplied by 30% alfalfa hay. Alfalfa increased DM intake (P<.01), daily gain (P<.01) and efficiency of gain (G/F, P<.05). Casein and corn steep liquor tended to increase daily gain (P=.15) and G/F (P<.05) compared with NH3. The effects of alfalfa and casein or steep liquor were additive. Cell solubles or other nutrients in alfalfa hay may improve ruminal utilization of fiber and protein in addition to ruminal degradable protein.

Footnotes

1 Published with the approval of the Director as Paper No. 7872, 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.