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IMPACT OF ALFALFA ASSOCIATIVE ACTION ON PROTEIN NUTRITION OF ROUGHAGE-FED RUMINANTS
Abstract
Associative action of alfalfa, interaction of rumen degradable protein and escape protein, and influence of mechanically separated alfalfa fractions on nutrient digestibility and animal growth was investigated. Steers (250 kg) were fed diets containing 0 or 3% ammonia (NH(,3)) treated residues replaced by 0, 15, 30 or 100% alfalfa hay. NH(,3) treatment increased (P < .01) residue intake. Intake increased linearly (P < .001) with alfalfa level. Response in daily gain and feed efficiency to level of alfalfa was linear (P < .05) for untreated and quadratic (P < .05) for NH(,3)-treated residues. NH(,3) treatment increased (P < .001) in vitro dry matter disappearance and rate of cell wall digestion of corn cobs. Alfalfa increased (P < .01) rate of cell wall digestion for treated cobs. In a lamb growth trial, alfalfa hay and supplemental bypass protein interacted (P < .01) on feed efficiency, demonstrating the requirement for preformed protein. The effects of two qualities and three levels (15, 30 or 100% of diet dry matter) of alfalfa and bromegrass hay were evaluated in a lamb digestion trial. Magnitude of associative response was more highly correlated to rumen degradable protein vs cell solubles content for dry matter (r = .90 vs .75) and cell wall (r = .88 vs .78) digestibility. In a lamb growth trial, ammoniated cob diets with 0 or 30% alfalfa hay were supplemented with degradable and escape protein equivalent to 30% alfalfa. Degradable protein increased daily gain (P = .15) and feed efficiency (P < .05) when alfalfa was included in the diet. Alfalfa fiber (presscake) or juice stimulated intake of ammoniated cobs to a greater (P < .05) extent than an equivalent amount (20%, dry basis) of whole plant alfalfa. Digestibilities of dry matter and cell walls, and concentrations of total and branched-chain volatile fatty acids were higher (P < .05) for juice or whole alfalfa supplemented vs unsupplemented diets. Rate of passage at equal intake was greater (P < .05) for diets supplemented with whole alfalfa vs presscake or juice fractions.
Subject Area
Livestock
Recommended Citation
BRANDT, ROBERT THEODORE, "IMPACT OF ALFALFA ASSOCIATIVE ACTION ON PROTEIN NUTRITION OF ROUGHAGE-FED RUMINANTS" (1984). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8509856.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8509856