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 Russell, R. W. Articles by Mora, E. C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Russell, R. W. Articles by Mora, E. C.

Preservation of High-Moisture Milo with Urea: Grain Properties and Animal Acceptability^1,2,

Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849

Abstract

Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of urea in preserving high-moisture milo and the potential utility of milo so preserved in ruminant diets. In laboratory experiments, urea (2 to 6% dry wt basis) prevented the temperature rise in milo after reconstituting to 22 to 34% moisture (P < .01). Urea treatment reduced viable mold colonies in milo (P < .01). Added urea was hydrolyzed to NH₃ and increased grain pH to 9. Increased grain moisture resulted in large losses of N (P < .05) during the 1st wk of storage. In field experiments, urea treatment reduced mold (P < .01). There was no loss of N from urea-treated milo during storage. Within the stack of urea-treated milo, moisture content, amount of unhydrolyzed urea, NH₃ concentration and CP content differed (P < .05), but grain pH was constant throughout the stack. Urea treatment increased in vitro disappearance of DM at 48 h for both whole and ground grains (P < .05). Electron micrographs showed that urea treatment disrupts the milo seed coat. Urea treatment did not affect feed intake, feed/gain, rumen NH₃ concentrations or plasma urea concentrations. Steers fed ground urea-treated milo had lower ADG (P < .05) than steers fed a natural protein diet, but there was no difference in gain compared with steers fed ground dry milo with an equivalent amount of urea added. Urea was effective in preserving high-moisture milo and urea-treated milo was an acceptable feed for ruminants.

¹ Journal article No. 4-871298 of the Alabama Agric. Exp. Sta., Auburn 36849. Project no. 00655.

² The assistance of Steve Jungst in the statistical analyses of data is gratefully acknowledged.

³ Dept. of Anim. and Dairy Sci. and Alabama Agric. Exp. Sta.

⁴ Dept. of Poult. Sci. and Alabama Agric. Exp. Sta.