Protein, Fiber, and Digestibility of Selected Alternative Crops for Beef Cattle

Authors

Jennifer A. Walker, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Karla H. Jenkins, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Universitiy of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2011

Comments

Published in 2011 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Published by the Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Copyright © 2011 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Field peas, dry edible beans, pumpkins, chicory, beets, and beet pulp grown in western Nebraska were analyzed for their salvage value in beef cattle diets when they do not meet specifications for human consumption. The digestibilities of all the crops were high (61-88%). Beet pulp, beet root, and chicory root were low in CP (< 7%) while all other crops were greater than 9%. Neutral and acid detergent fiber were ≤ 50%. Lectins in raw dry edible beans force them to be limited to < 2% of diet DM. Palatability of chicory root can reduce intake.