Journal of Animal Science, Vol 69, Issue 6 2624-2633, Copyright © 1991 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Influence of protein supplementation on site and extent of digestion, forage intake, and nutrient flow characteristics in steers consuming dormant bluestem-range forage

S. M. Hannah, R. C. Cochran, E. S. Vanzant and D. L. Harmon
Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506.

Four multicannulated Holstein steers (initial BW 424 +/- 16 kg) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square to determine the influence of protein supplementation on forage intake, site and extent of digestion, and nutrient flow in steers consuming dormant bluestem-range forage (2.3% CP). Treatments were 1) control, no supplement; 2) 1.8 kg of low-protein supplement, 12.8% CP (Low-CP); 3) 1.8 kg of moderate-protein supplement, 27.1% CP (Mod-CP); and 4) 2.7 kg of dehydrated alfalfa pellets, 17.5% CP (Dehy). The Dehy supplement was fed to provide the same amount of CP/d as Mod-CP, and all supplements provided similar amounts of ME/d. Forage DMI was increased (P less than .05) by feeding Mod-CP and Dehy. Ruminal OM digestibility was 39% greater (P less than .05) for the Mod-CP and Dehy supplementations than for the Low-CP supplementation and control. Ruminal CP digestibility was negative for all treatments, and control (-326%) was less (P less than .05) than supplemented treatments (average -27%). Total tract OM digestibility was greatest (P less than .10) for steers fed Mod-CP and least for control steers; Low-CP and Dehy steers were intermediate. Total tract NDF digestibility tended (P = .15) to be less with Low-CP than with Mod-CP and Dehy. Duodenal N flow was greater (P less than .05) with Mod-CP and Dehy than with Low-CP and control. In summary, supplementation with Mod-CP increased forage intake, digestion, and duodenal N flow compared with Low-CP or control; however, the response was similar when Mod-CP and Dehy supplements were fed to provide equivalent amounts of CP and ME daily.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. J. Cline, B. W. Neville, G. P. Lardy, and J. S. Caton Influence of advancing season on dietary composition, intake, site of digestion, and microbial efficiency in beef steers grazing a native range in western North Dakota J Anim Sci, January 1, 2009; 87(1): 375 - 383. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. I. Crawford, C. D. Keeler, J. J. Wagner, C. R. Krehbiel, G. E. Erickson, M. B. Crombie, and G. A. Nunnery Effects of calcium magnesium carbonate and roughage level on feedlot performance, ruminal metabolism, and site and extent of digestion in steers fed high-grain diets J Anim Sci, November 1, 2008; 86(11): 2998 - 3013. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. C. Marini, D. G. Fox, and M. R. Murphy Nitrogen transactions along the gastrointestinal tract of cattle: A meta-analytical approach J Anim Sci, March 1, 2008; 86(3): 660 - 679. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. C. Gilbery, G. P. Lardy, S. A. Soto-Navarro, M. L. Bauer, and J. S. Caton Effects of corn condensed distillers solubles supplementation on ruminal fermentation, digestion, and in situ disappearance in steers consuming low-quality hay J Anim Sci, June 1, 2006; 84(6): 1468 - 1480. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Lapierre, D. Pacheco, R. Berthiaume, D. R. Ouellet, C. G. Schwab, P. Dubreuil, G. Holtrop, and G. E. Lobley What is the True Supply of Amino Acids for a Dairy Cow? J Dairy Sci, March 1, 2006; 89(e_suppl_1): E1 - E14. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. A. Currier, D. W. Bohnert, S. J. Falck, C. S. Schauer, and S. J. Bartle Daily and alternate-day supplementation of urea or biuret to ruminants consuming low-quality forage: II. Effects on site of digestion and microbial efficiency in steers J Anim Sci, May 1, 2004; 82(5): 1518 - 1527. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. A. Currier, D. W. Bohnert, S. J. Falck, C. S. Schauer, and S. J. Bartle Daily and alternate-day supplementation of urea or biuret to ruminants consuming low-quality forage: III. Effects on ruminal fermentation characteristics in steers J Anim Sci, May 1, 2004; 82(5): 1528 - 1535. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. E. Radunz, G. P. Lardy, M. L. Bauer, M. J. Marchello, E. R. Loe, and P. T. Berg Influence of steam-peeled potato-processing waste inclusion level in beef finishing diets: Effects on digestion, feedlot performance, and meat quality J Anim Sci, November 1, 2003; 81(11): 2675 - 2685. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. M. Howlett, E. S. Vanzant, L. H. Anderson, W. R. Burris, B. G. Fieser, and R. F. Bapst Effect of supplemental nutrient source on heifer growth and reproductive performance, and on utilization of corn silage-based diets by beef steers J Anim Sci, September 1, 2003; 81(9): 2367 - 2378. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. N. Bodine and H. T. Purvis II Effects of supplemental energy and/or degradable intake protein on performance, grazing behavior, intake, digestibility, and fecal and blood indices by beef steers grazed on dormant native tallgrass prairie J Anim Sci, January 1, 2003; 81(1): 304 - 317. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. W. Bohnert, C. S. Schauer, M. L. Bauer, and T. DelCurto Influence of rumen protein degradability and supplementation frequency on steers consuming low-quality forage: I. Site of digestion and microbial efficiency J Anim Sci, November 1, 2002; 80(11): 2967 - 2977. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. W. Bohnert, C. S. Schauer, S. J. Falck, and T. DelCurto Influence of rumen protein degradability and supplementation frequency on steers consuming low-quality forage: II. Ruminal fermentation characteristics J Anim Sci, November 1, 2002; 80(11): 2978 - 2988. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]