Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Document Type
Thesis
Date of this Version
5-1968
Citation
Thesis (M.S.)—University of Nebraska—Lincoln, 1968. Department of Animal Science.
Abstract
The relationship between minerals, readily available energy, and fiber digestion has been a long standing problem in ruminant nutrition, and will continue to be so because of increased use of high starch rations in animal production. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on digestion and rumen fermentation when calcium, corn starch, and calcium plus corn starch were added to a 30 percent roughage ration for steers. Also, the effects of different levels of dietary calcium on animal performance and efficiency of feed conversion, in a high grain-low roughage ration, were studied in two animal performance trials.
Two series of metabolism trials were conducted to study the effect of added calcium (20 gm per day), added starch (10 percent), and calcium plus starch upon the digestibility and rumen fermentation patterns of a 30 percent corn cob ration for steers. All steers received the same amount of the basal ration daily. An animal performance study was also conducted to determine if differences in feedlot performance could be obtained by feeding different levels of calcium in an 85 percent concentrate, 15 percent corn cob ration. Animal performance was measured on an individual basis.
Advisor: Walter Woods
Comments
Copyright 1968, the author. Used by permission.