Effect of MIN-AD Ruminal Buffer and Roughage Level on Ruminal Metabolism and Extent of Digestion in Steers

Authors

Grant I. Crawford, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Clint Krehbiel, Oklahoma State University, StillwaterFollow
Greg Nunnery, MIN-AD Inc., Amarillo, Tex.

Date of this Version

1-1-2006

Comments

Published in 2006 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2005 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Six ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers were used in a metabolism experiment to determine effects of adding a ruminal buffer to diets containing increasing levels of roughage. Steers were fed high-concentrate diets containing 4.5, 9.0, or 13.5% alfalfa hay with or without 1.0% MIN-AD ruminal buffer. There were no differences observed in feed intake, ruminal metabolism, or total tract digestibility due to MIN-AD inclusion in the diet. Average pH increased and time below pH 5.6 and pH 5.3 decreased with increasing alfalfa level. Total tract digestibility decreased with increasing alfalfa level. Addition of MIN-AD to high-concentrate diets did not produce a response similar to increasing the roughage level in the diet.