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Duodenal Nutrient Flow and Digestibility in Holstein Steers Fed Formaldehyde- and Formic Acid-Treated Alfalfa or Orchardgrass Silage at Two Intakes^1,2,

U.S. Department of Agriculture⁴, Beltsville, MD 20705

Abstract

Formaldehyde- and formic acid-treated alfalfa or orchardgrass silage were fed at 65 and 90 g DM/kg BW^.75 · d) to growing Holstein steers (209 ± SE = 35 kg) fitted with permanent ruminal and duodenal cannulas in a 4 x 4 latin square. Alfalfa had higher (P < .01) concentrations of cell solubles, total N and rumen-soluble N than did orchardgrass. Digestible energy (Mcal/d), total N and soluble N intake (g/d) were higher (P < .05) for steers fed alfalfa than for those fed orchardgrass. Total duodenal OM, DM, NDF, N and non-NH₃-N flows were greater (P < .001) for steers fed alfalfa than for those fed orchardgrass and were greater (P < .001) at high vs low intake. Duodenal bacterial N flow (g/d) was greater (P < .001) for steers fed alfalfa than for those fed orchardgrass, and bacterial N synthesis (g/kg DM truly digested in the rumen) was 58 and 32, respectively (P < .001). Ruminal concentrations of NH₃-N (P < .001) and VFA (P < .05) were greater for steers fed alfalfa than for those fed orchardgrass. Total tract DM, energy and N digestibilities were higher (P < .05) for steers fed alfalfa vs orchardgrass, whereas total tract NDF digestibility was lower (P < .01). Tissue N retention tended to be greater (P < .1) for steers fed alfalfa than for those fed orchardgrass. Regression analysis indicated that duodenal non-NH₃-N flow was related to intake of metabolizable energy and soluble N (R² = .939). Improved performance and higher efficiency of use of ME for tissue gain by steers fed alfalfa rather than orchardgrass is related to lower ruminal acetate:propionate, higher microbial efficiency and greater duodenal DM and N flows.

¹ Mention of a trade name, proprietary product or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the USDA and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable.

² The authors gratefully acknowledge B. Stroud and his staff for supervising surgery and maintaining health of animals, T. Jacobs, Jr. for conscientious and dedicated coordination and conduct of all phases of animal and laboratory work, D. Manning for conducting total collections and gut sampling, P. Marcus for feed data summarization, L. Slyter for advice on fatty acid analysis and R. Bowersett, K. Davis, J. Saul, J. Whitt and E. Zetina for able animal and laboratory work.

³ The Pennsylvania State Univ., Dept. of Dairy and Anim. Sci. University Park 16802.

⁴ Ruminant Nutrition Lab., Livest. and Poult. Sci. Inst., ARS.

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