Journal of Animal Science, Vol 73, Issue 4 1187-1195, Copyright © 1995 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Influence of processing supplemental alfalfa on intake and digestion of dormant bluestem-range forage by steers

B. A. Lintzenich, E. S. Vanzant, R. C. Cochran, J. L. Beaty, R. T. Brandt Jr and G. St Jean
Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506, USA.

Four ruminally and duodenally fistulated, 2-yr-old Angus x Hereford steers (average initial BW = 370 kg) were used to evaluate the effect of method of processing supplemental alfalfa on intake and digestion of dormant bluestem-range forage (2.8% CP, 78% NDF). Treatments (4 x 4 Latin square) were 1) control, no supplement; 2) ground and pelleted alfalfa hay (PELLET; 21% CP, 37% NDF); 3) ground and pelleted dehydrated alfalfa (DEHY; 21% CP, 44% NDF); and 4) longstem alfalfa hay (HAY; 20% CP, 37% NDF). All supplements were from a single cutting of alfalfa and fed at .5% BW (as-fed basis). Supplementing steers with alfalfa increased (P < or = .07) bluestem forage OM intake (FOMI); total OM intake (TOMI); true ruminal OM digestibility; total tract OM digestibility (TTOMD); total N, microbial N, and nonammonia-nonmicrobial N (NANM) flows to the duodenum; ruminal OM and fluid fill; fluid dilution rates; dietary DE concentration; and ruminal total VFA and NH3 N concentrations. Because of the enhanced FOMI and TOMI associated with alfalfa supplementation and the concomitant improvement in TTOMD, digestible OM intake (DOMI) also increased (P < .01) when supplemental alfalfa was fed. Method of processing alfalfa had little impact on forage utilization, except FOMI (P = .11), TOMI (P = .10), and ruminal OM fill (P = .09) tended to be greater when supplemental alfalfa pellets were dehydrated. Similarly, processing method tended to alter the molar proportions of some minor VFA. In conclusion, alfalfa supplementation exerted a dramatic impact on utilization of low-quality forage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

This article has been cited by other articles:

				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]

				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]