Interaction of Urea with Frequency and Amount of Distillers Grains Supplementation on Growing Steer Rumen Digestion Parameters

Authors

Haley F. Linder, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Joshua E. Sebade, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Tyler J. Spore, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M. E. Drewnoski, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
J. C. MacDonald, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2022

Citation

2022 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

UNL Beef, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Abstract

Ruminally cannulated steers were used in 8 × 6 row-column design with 8 animals and 6 periods. Treatment design was a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial, with factors including amount of supplementation, frequency of supplementation, and inclusion of urea. Hay dry matter intake was reduced by increased amount of supplementation and by decreased frequency of supplementation. Total VFA concentration did not differ among treatments. Rumen ammonia-N concentration was impacted by an interaction of amount of supplementation and inclusion of urea but there was no effect of supplementation frequency. In situ NDF disappearance did not differ between daily and alternate day supplemented animals. These results suggest there is no difference in rumen digestion parameters between daily and alternate day supplementation, and the inclusion of urea to a DDG supplement does not improve digestion parameters of a forage based diet.