Journal of Animal Science, Vol 77, Issue 4 1016-1025, Copyright © 1999 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Effects of ruminal administration of supplemental degradable intake protein and starch on utilization of low-quality warm-season grass hay by beef steers

K. C. Olson, R. C. Cochran, T. J. Jones, E. S. Vanzant, E. C. Titgemeyer and D. E. Johnson
Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506, USA.

Hereford x Angus steers were used in a 13-treatment, four-period, incomplete Latin square design to examine the effects of starch and degradable intake protein (DIP) supplements on forage utilization and ruminal function. Steers were given ad libitum access to low-quality hay (4.9% CP) and were not supplemented (NS) or received different amounts of starch (cornstarch grits; 0, .15, and .3% of initial BW) and DIP (Na-caseinate; .03, .06, .09, and .12% of initial BW) administered via ruminal fistulae in a 3 x 4 factorial arrangement of treatments. Supplemented steers consumed more (P < .01) forage OM, total OM, NDF, and digestible OM (DOM) than NS steers. Forage OM, total OM, NDF, and DOM intakes increased linearly (P < .01) as the amount of supplemental DIP increased. The addition of starch to supplements linearly decreased ( P < .01) the intake of forage OM, NDF, and DOM. The digestion of DM, OM, and NDF increased linearly (P < .01) with supplemental DIP and decreased linearly (P < or = .06) with supplemental starch. Particulate and liquid passages generally increased with DIP; however, starch level influenced the nature of the response (P = .03 and .06, respectively). Similarly, ruminal acid detergent-insoluble ash content generally decreased as starch increased, but the effect was dependent on DIP level (P < .01). Supplementation increased (P < .01) ruminal NH3 and total VFA and decreased (P < .01) ruminal pH relative to NS. All treatments supported average pH values in a range (6.3 to 6.7) unlikely to inhibit fibrolytic bacteria. Ruminal NH3 concentration increased quadratically (P = .03) with DIP and decreased linearly (P = .02) with starch. As DIP increased, total VFA concentration increased linearly (P = .02). Providing supplemental DIP to steers fed low-quality forage increased OM intake and digestion, whereas addition of starch to supplements decreased forage intake and digestion.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. C. Olson, R. C. Cochran, E. C. Titgemeyer, C. P. Mathis, T. J. Jones, and J. S. Heldt Prediction of the energy content of tallgrass prairie hay J Anim Sci, June 1, 2008; 86(6): 1372 - 1381. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. B. Huntington and J. C. Burns The interaction of harvesting time of day of switchgrass hay and ruminal degradability of supplemental protein offered to beef steers J Anim Sci, January 1, 2008; 86(1): 159 - 166. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. L. Archibeque, D. N. Miller, H. C. Freetly, E. D. Berry, and C. L. Ferrell The influence of oscillating dietary protein concentrations on finishing cattle. I. Feedlot performance and odorous compound production J Anim Sci, June 1, 2007; 85(6): 1487 - 1495. [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]

				J. L. Leupp, J. S. Caton, S. A. Soto-Navarro, and G. P. Lardy Effects of cooked molasses blocks and fermentation extract or brown seaweed meal inclusion on intake, digestion, and microbial efficiency in steers fed low-quality hay J Anim Sci, December 1, 2005; 83(12): 2938 - 2945. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. A. Soto-Navarro, M. H. Knight, G. P. Lardy, M. L. Bauer, and J. S. Caton Effect of fiber-based creep feed on intake, digestion, ruminal fermentation, and microbial efficiency in nursing calves J Anim Sci, December 1, 2004; 82(12): 3560 - 3566. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. A. Baumann, G. P. Lardy, J. S. Caton, and V. L. Anderson Effect of energy source and ruminally degradable protein addition on performance of lactating beef cows and digestion characteristics of steers J Anim Sci, September 1, 2004; 82(9): 2667 - 2678. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. G. P. Bowman, B. F. Sowell, L. M. M. Surber, and T. K. Daniels Nonstructural carbohydrate supplementation of yearling heifers and range beef cows J Anim Sci, September 1, 2004; 82(9): 2724 - 2733. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. J. Reed, G. P. Lardy, M. L. Bauer, T. C. Gilbery, and J. S. Caton Effect of field pea level on intake, digestion, microbial efficiency, ruminal fermentation, and in situ disappearance in beef steers fed forage-based diets J Anim Sci, July 1, 2004; 82(7): 2185 - 2192. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. C. Titgemeyer, J. S. Drouillard, R. H. Greenwood, J. W. Ringler, D. J. Bindel, R. D. Hunter, and T. Nutsch Effect of forage quality on digestion and performance responses of cattle to supplementation with cooked molasses blocks J Anim Sci, February 1, 2004; 82(2): 487 - 494. [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]

				R. Ruiz, L. O. Tedeschi, J. C. Marini, D. G. Fox, A. N. Pell, G. Jarvis, and J. B Russell The Effect of a Ruminal Nitrogen (N) Deficiency in Dairy Cows: Evaluation of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System Ruminal N Deficiency Adjustment J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2002; 85(11): 2986 - 2999. [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]

				M. E. Dorshorst and R. R. Grummer Effects of Day Relative to Parturition and Dietary Crude Protein on Rumen Fermentation in Prepartum Transition Cows J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2002; 85(9): 2290 - 2298. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]