Effect of protein level and source in molasses slurries on the performance of growing cattle fed hay during winter
1995
Stateler, D.A. | Kunkle, W.E. | Hammond, A.C.
Four molasses slurries of varying protein level and source were fed in two performance trials (Year 1, 105 d; Year 2, 92 d) to growing cattle (Year 1, 230 kg; Year 2, 247 kg). Treatments were CONTROL (hay only), MOL (molasses-corn meal), MOL-UREA (molasses-urea-corn meal), MOL-SBM (molasses-soybean- meal), and MOL-BF (molasses-urea-corn meal-blood meal-hydrolyzed feather meal). Animals on all treatments were offered bermudagrass hay (Year 1: 12.8% CP, 50% TDN; Year 2: 12.8% CP, 54% TDN) and a complete mineral mixture free choice. Each treatment was fed to three pens each year with seven animals/pen. Slurries were offered at 2.1 kg/d (DM) and effects on forage intake, ADG, condition score (1 to 9), hip height, and plasma urea nitrogen were monitored. Treatment effects for Years 1 and 2 were analyzed separately due to treatment X year interactions (P < .15) with respect to ADG, hip height change, condition score change, and feed cost of gain. Supplementation increased (P < .001) ADG over CONTROL in Year 1 (.41 vs .06 kg/d) and Year 2 (.69 vs .26 kg/d), increased hip height change by .02 cm/d (P < .001) in Year 1 and by .01 cm/d (P = .012) in Year 2, and decreased (P < .001) loss of body condition in Years 1 and 2. Molasses-urea showed no advantage over MOL in Years 1 or 2. Natural protein (MOL-SBM and MOL-BF) increased ADG by .10 kg/d in Year 1 (P = .001) and by .06 kg/d in Year 2 (P = .077) compared with MOL-UREA. Daily gain was improved by MOL-BF by .05 kg/d (P = .109) in Year 1 and by .08 kg/d (P = .063) in Year 2 compared with MOL-SBM. Results indicate that growing cattle fed bermudagrass hay during winter respond positively to energy supplementation in the form of molasses. The addition of animal source protein enhanced this response.
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