The effect of pre-fast diet and transport on nitrogen metabolism of calves

Two trials were conducted to determine the effects of transport stress and pre-transport diet on N losses, blood chemistry and ruminal variables of steers. In each trial, 16 crossbred steers (261 kg avg weight) were assigned to four groups in a 2 X 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments consisted of either transported or non-transported groups and two pre-transport dietary regimens (alfalfa hay or a 50% concentrate diet fed for 3 d before fasting). The alfalfa hay contained 14.6% crude protein (CP) and had a calculated metabolizable energy (ME) content of 1.92 mcal/kg. The 50% concentrate diet contained 15.5% CP and had a calculated ME content of 2.23 mcal/kg. Steers in the transport group were transported for 13 h in trial 1 and 46 h in trial 2, while the remaining steers were not transported. Both groups were withheld from feed and water during the observation periods. Urine and feces were collected and blood samples were obtained at intervals during the observation periods. Transport increased (P less than .05) urinary and total N excretion and nonevaporative water losses compared with fasting alone. Calves fed the 50% concentrate diet had lower N and nonevaporative water losses than calves fed hay, probably due to lower pre-fast N and water intakes. Ruminal total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and molar proportions of propionate and butyrate declined (P less than .05) with time in all groups, while molar proportions of acetate and minor VFA increased. Results of these trials indicate transportation stress can cause a significant increase in total N excretion and nonevaporative water loss compared with feed and water deprivation alone. Losses of N and water were lower in calves fed a 50% concentrate diet rather than hay for 3 d before the fasting period, probably because of lower pre-fast N and water intakes.     

Influence of realimentation diet on recovery of rumen activity and feed intake in beef steers

Two trials were conducted to determine the influence of realimentation diet energy, protein, B-vitamin (BV) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LAC) content on recovery of rumen activity and feed consumption in beef steers. In trial 1, ruminal-fistulated steers were fasted and refed 1) prairie hay, 2) 10% protein (LCP), 3) 12.5% protein (MCP), 4) LCP + BV or 5) LCP + LAC. In trial 2, calves were fasted and refed 1) 60% cottonseed hulls-40% alfalfa dehy (high roughage), 2) LCP, 3) 15% protein (HCP), 4) LCP + BV or 5) LCP + LAC. Rumen fermentative capacity declined 74% (P less than .05) during feed and water deprivation, but returned to control levels by d 7 of realimentation. On d 3 of realimentation, steers fed the LCP and MCP diets had molar proportions of ruminal butyrate in excess of 35%. Steers fed the hay, LAC and BV diets did not have a high butyrate fermentation. In trial 2, calves lost about 15% of their body weight during feed and water deprivation. Calves fed the high roughage diet appeared to return to prefast feed and energy intakes more slowly than steers fed the medium roughage diets. Results of this study indicate that rumen fermentative capacity is a factor limiting feed intake in fasted calves for 7 to 14 after the reintroduction of feed and water.     

Influence of prefast feed intake on recovery from feed and water deprivation by beef steers

A trial was conducted with 60 steers (257 kg) to determine the influence of prefast feed intake on recovery from feed and water deprivation. For 3 d, steers were fed a 35% roughage diet at 1 (LI) or 1.75% (MI) of body weight or ad libitum (AL). Steers were then deprived of feed and water for 24 h, limit-fed and watered for 24 h, deprived of feed and water for 48 h and then allowed ad libitum feed and water consumption for 2 wk. A fourth group of control steers was fed at 1.75% of body weight during the alimentation period and was not fasted. Realimentation feed intake was positively related to prefast feed intake, with the order of realimentation feed intake being AL greater than MI greater than LI (P less than .05). During deprivation, rumen volume declined (P less than .05) in AL-fed steers, but was not affected in LI and MI steers. Blood hemoglobin and serum urea-N increased during deprivation in all fasted groups. Prefast serum cholesterol levels were inversely related to prefast energy intake. During deprivation, rumen fluid total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and propionate and butyrate molar proportions declined (P less than .05) and acetate, isobutyrate and valerate + isovalerate molar proportions increased (P less than .05). Results of this study indicate that an increased prefast feed intake will provide a greater reserve of energy, water and electrolytes to the steer during deprivation and result in a shorter postfast adaptation period.     

Influence of dietary protein concentrations on performance and nitrogen repletion in stressed calves

Three trials were conducted to determine the influence of dietary CP concentration on health and performance of market-transport-stressed feeder calves (Exp. 1 and 2) and on repletion of nutrients lost during a 3-d feed and water deprivation period in steers fed at maintenance energy intake (Exp. 3). In Exp. 1 (84 calves) and 2 (256 calves), feeder calves averaging 184 kg were transported from Tennessee to Texas. In Exp. 1, calves were fed receiving diets containing either 12 or 16% CP. In Exp. 2, calves were fed diets containing 12 or 16% CP and .8 or 1.3% potassium in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. In Exp. 3, four Hereford steers averaging 253 kg were used in an N balance trial. Steers were deprived of feed and water for 3 d and then were limit-fed (1 x maintenance energy requirements) diets calculated to meet 100, 120, 140 or 160% of CP maintenance requirements for 14 d in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. In Exp. 1, calves fed the 16% CP diet had faster (P less than .05) daily gains and higher (P less than .10) feed consumption than calves fed the 12% CP diet during the first 14 d. In Exp. 2, calf performance was not affected by diet CP or K content. Calves fed the 16CP-1.3K diet had lower (P less than .10) mortality than calves on the remaining treatments. In Exp. 3, N balance and serum urea N increased linearly (P less than .05) with increasing dietary CP. Results of these studies are interpreted to indicate that the CP requirement (g/d) of market-transport-stressed feeder calves is similar to requirements of nonstressed calves; however, the CP concentration of the diet of stressed calves may need to be increased when feed intakes are low.     

Steam-rolled wheat diets for finishing cattle: effects of dietary roughage and feed intake on finishing steer performance and ruminal metabolism

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of dietary roughage concentration and feed intake on finishing steer performance and ruminal metabolism. In Exp. 1, 126 steers (334 kg) were used in a completely randomized design and fed (120 d) diets of steam-rolled wheat without roughage or containing 5, 10 or 15% roughage (50% alfalfa hay:50% corn silage). Steers fed 5 or 10% roughage gained faster (quadratic, P less than .05) and were more efficient (quadratic, P less than .05) than steers fed 15% or no roughage. In Exp. 2, six ruminally cannulated steers (447 kg) were used in a 6 x 6 latin square design and fed (twice daily) diets of steam-rolled wheat without roughage or containing 5 or 15% alfalfa hay at twice or three times NE required for maintenance. Increasing dietary roughage increased (linear, P less than .01) ruminal liquid passage 38%, indigestible ADF passage 63%, Yb-labeled wheat passage 75% and fiber fill 31%. The rate of in situ starch digestion tended to increase (linear, P = .16), and ruminal VFA concentration was 40 mM higher (P less than .01) at 4 h after feeding with increased roughage. Increased feed intake increased (P less than .05) ruminal starch fill, fiber fill, liquid fill and liquid passage 23%, Yb-labeled wheat passage 50% and Dry-labeled hay passage 20%. It reduced protozoa five- to sixfold (P less than .01) but doubled total bacterial counts (P less than .01). Ruminal NH3N was lower (P less than .01) and total VFA concentration was 50 mM higher (P less than .01) at 4 h after feeding. The acetate:propionate ratio was reduced from 2.3 to 1.3 (P less than .01) with increased intake. Adding roughage to a steam-rolled wheat diet increased passage and tended to increase rate of starch digestion; increased feed intake with its associated effects on ruminal fill and passage dramatically shifted the microbial population and fermentation end products.     

Effects of animal-to-animal exchange of ruminal contents on the feed intake and ruminal characteristics of fed and fasted lambs

Four Suffolk x Hampshire wether lambs averaging 55 kg with permanent ruminal cannulas were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to determine the effects of exchange of ruminal contents between fed and fasted lambs on subsequent DMI and ruminal characteristics. Lambs were fed a pelleted 70% roughage diet at 2% of BW for 17 d. During each period of the Latin square two lambs were deprived of feed and water for 3 d. At the end of the fasting period ruminal contents from one fed and one fasted lamb were exchanged. Lambs were then given ad libitum access to feed for 8 d, during which DMI, feeding pattern, and ruminal characteristics were monitored. Measurements of ruminal volume determined by total collection and indigestible marker (lithium sulfate) suggested that only about 50% of total ruminal contents were actually exchanged. Fasted lambs had lower (P less than .05) DMI, ruminal fermentative capacity, ruminal DM weight, and ruminal DM percentage than fed lambs during the first 4 d of realimentation. Exchange of ruminal contents did not (P greater than .10) affect DMI, feeding pattern, ruminal fluid pH, ruminal fermentative capacity, ruminal contents DM percentage, ruminal nucleic acid concentration, or VFA. Dosing fasted lambs with ruminal contents from nonfasted lambs reduced (P less than .05) ruminal liquid volume, dry weight of ruminal contents, and propionate concentration. Results of this trial are interpreted to indicate that although decreased ruminal function is a factor in the low feed intakes of fasted ruminants, the possibility of increasing postfast feed intake via improved ruminal function is limited because other metabolic factors may play a more important role.     

Influence of protein concentration in prefast and postfast diets on feed intake of steers and nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism of lambs

Two trials were conducted to determine the influence of prefast and postfast dietary protein concentration on feed intake of steers (avg wt 250 kg) and the N and P metabolism of lambs (avg wt 50 kg). In Trial 1, crossbred steers were fed prefast diets containing 8, 12 or 16% crude protein (CP) for 14 d before being deprived of feed and water for 24 h. Next, they received feed for 24 h and again were deprived for 48 h. Finally, they were fed diets containing either 10 or 15% CP. Steers fed the 16% CP prefast diet that were switched to the 10% CP realimentation diet tended to have lower feed intakes than the other fasted groups. In Trial 2, 16 crossbred lambs housed in metabolism stalls were fed prefast and postfast diets containing either 11 or 16% CP both before and after a 72-h fast in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Nitrogen and P balance during realimentation tended to be affected by both the prefast and postfast dietary protein concentration. Results of this study indicate that CP content of the postfast diet alters repletion of nutrients lost during a feed and water deprivation period and can affect realimentation feed intake. However, the magnitude of this effect was dependent on protein content of the prefast diet.     

Influence of postfast dietary crude protein and phosphorus content on nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium repletion in sheep.

An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of postfast dietary CP and P concentration on the repletion of N, P, Ca, and Mg lost during a 3-d fast in sheep. Four Suffolk wether lambs averaging 35 kg were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Lambs were fed a control diet (700 g/d; as-fed basis) for 14 d and were then deprived of feed and water for 3 d. Lambs were then fed one of four isoenergetic realimentation diets: 1) low CP/low P, 2) low CP/high P, 3) high CP/high P, and 4) high CP/very high P. Realimentation N and Mg intakes were 9.8 and 1.1 g/d for lambs fed the low-CP diet and 18.1 and 1.7 g/d for lambs fed the high-CP diets, respectively. Realimentation P intakes were 1.40, 2.36, 2.66, and 3.82 g/d for lambs fed Diets 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Nitrogen, P, Ca, and Mg apparent digestibility and balance and serum urea N, free fatty acids, P, Ca, Mg, and alkaline phosphatase were determined during the prefast, fast, and realimentation periods. Lambs fed the high-CP diets had higher (P less than .05) N and P digestibility and balance than lambs fed the low-CP diet. Increasing the dietary P content did not affect (P greater than .15) P balance or digestibility. In general, the realimentation diet fed did not affect (P greater than .15) serum concentrations of free fatty acids, alkaline phosphatase, inorganic P, Ca, or Mg.     

Effects of a salivary stimulant, slaframine, on ruminal fermentation, bacterial protein synthesis and digestion in frequently fed steers

Slaframine (SF), a parasympathomimetic salivary stimulant, was administered i.m. (10, 15 or 20 micrograms SF/kg BW) to ruminally and abomasally fistulated steers at 12-h intervals for 18-d periods in a latin square-designed experiment. Steers were fed semicontinuously (12 times daily) a 40:60 roughage:concentrate diet at twice their net energy requirement for maintenance. Ruminal digestion coefficients for DM, ADF and starch were 10 to 16% lower and linearly related in an inverse manner to the level of SF administered (P less than .05). Postruminal digestion of DM, ADF and starch increased as much as 46.7, 9.5 and 44.0%, respectively, in a fashion linearly related (P less than .05) to the level of SF administered. Total tract digestion of DM and ADF were not affected by SF; however, total tract starch digestion was increased as much as 5% and was related linearly (P less than .05) to SF treatment. With SF administration, as much as 13% more bacterial protein exited the rumen, resulting in a 16.5% linear improvement (P less than .1) in the efficiency of ruminal bacterial protein production per 100 g of OM fermented. Ruminal concentrations of VFA, ammonia and pH were not affected by SF. These results demonstrate a positive relationship between salivation and ruminal bacterial protein synthesis and suggest that feed utilization by ruminants may be improved by pharmacological stimulation of salivary secretions.     

Influence of dietary forage and feed intake on carbohydrase activities and small intestinal morphology of calves.

Twenty (12 Holstein, 8 Longhorn cross) calves (198 kg and 7 mo old) were used in a randomized complete block design to evaluate the effects of dietary forage concentration and feed intake on carbohydrase activities and small intestinal (SI) morphology. Calves were individually fed 90% forage (alfalfa) or a 90% concentrate (50% sorghum: 50% wheat) diet at either one or two times NEm for 140 d and slaughtered; tissues and small intestinal digesta were collected. Increased feed intake increased (P less than .05) pancreatic weight, alpha-amylase and glucoamylase activities in the pancreas, SI length and SI digesta weight. Forage-fed calves gained faster (P less than .01) and had greater (P less than .05) pancreatic protein concentrations, alpha-amylase and glucoamylase activities in the pancreas and greater SI digesta alpha-amylase activities than grain-fed calves did. Increased feed intake increased (P less than .01) mucosal weight/cm small intestine only in forage-fed calves and increased (P less than .05) SI surface/volume only in grain-fed calves. Mucosal weight was greatest (P less than .05) at the terminal ileum, surface/volume was greatest (P less than .05) in the duodenum, and mucosal protein concentration was highest (P less than .05) in the SI mid-section. Mucosal lactase was higher (P less than .05) in proximal segments, whereas mucosal isomaltase was higher in middle and distal segments of the small intestine. For mucosal maltase activity, there was a feed intake x SI sampling site interaction (P less than .05) and for trehalase, a diet x feed intake x SI sampling site interaction (P less than .05). The SI distribution patterns of maltase and isomaltase were similar, as were those of trehalase and lactase. The alpha-amylase activity in the pancreas and SI morphology were influenced greatly by diet composition and feed intake by calves.     

Diet composition and daily gain of growing cattle grazing dryland and irrigated cornstalks at several stocking rates

Diet composition and the relationships between daily gain of calves grazing cornstalks and certain characteristics of the available residue and diets selected by esophageally fistulated cattle were studied in two trials during November and December of 1984 (Trial 1) and of 1986 (Trial 2). Eight adult steers and four esophageally fistulated calves were used in Trials 1 and 2, respectively, to collect extrusa samples from dryland and irrigated fields grazed at several stocking rates. Steers grazing irrigated cornstalks selected a diet with more (P less than .05) starch and less (P less than .05) CP than those grazing dryland fields. As grazing continued, extrusa starch content decreased (P less than .05). In vitro DM disappearance (IVDMD) of both diet and the roughage fraction of the diet decreased (P less than .05) with days of grazing; this decrease was greater (P less than .05) at higher stocking rates. Calves grazing dryland fields gained faster (P less than .05) than calves grazing irrigated fields. With a low level of protein supplementation (213 g CP/d, Trial 1), daily gain was positively correlated with CP of both diet (extrusa) or available leaf plus husk but not with grain available per animal or with extrusa IVDMD, suggesting that protein was first limiting. With a higher level of protein supplementation (458 g CP/d, Trial 2), daily gain was correlated positively with residue available per animal and IVDMD of extrusa at the end of the grazing season. The energy value of feed consumed by cattle grazing cornstalks decreases with time, and complex interactions between protein needs and energy intake may occur.     

Influence of equalizing the gross composition of milk replacer to that of whole milk on the performance of Holstein calves

This study compared the performance of female Holstein calves fed either whole milk (WM) or milk replacer (MR) having similar gross composition to WM. Calves (n = 20) were separated from their mothers within 2 h of birth, weighed, moved into individual pens, and fed colostrum (10% of their BW over 2 feedings daily) for the first 3 d. Calves were alternately assigned to either WM (n = 10) or MR (n = 10) and were fed using mobile plastic bottles. At each feeding, diluted MR was prepared in buckets by mixing 0.143 kg of MR powder (as-is basis) in 1 L of lukewarm water. Calves on both treatments were fed (1.8 L/feeding) for 4 times daily for the first 25 d of age. Feeding frequency was reduced to 3 times daily for next 5 d, then to 2 times daily for next 14 d, and then to once daily during the last 5 d of the preweaning period. Feed intake, growth, and health variables were monitored until calves were 70 d of age. Mean daily consumption of WM and MR was similar in both treatment groups (P = 0.74). Initial BW of calves fed either WM or MR was similar (42.1 +/- 3.3 vs. 41.9 +/- 2.9 kg, respectively; P = 0.83). Calves fed WM or MR daily consumed similar amounts of calf starter (1,019 vs. 1,056 g, respectively; P = 0.32), hay (121.5 vs. 126.3 g, respectively; P = 0.30), and water (5.2 vs. 5.0 kg, respectively; P = 0.54). At weaning (d 49) and postweaning (d 70), BW was greater (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively) in calves fed WM than in those fed MR. Mean DMI from both solid and liquid feeds was not affected by the treatments during the preweaning (P = 0.21) and postweaning (P = 0.16) periods. Body weight gain efficiency during preweaning and overall was improved (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively) in calves fed WM than in those fed MR. Health (days scoured, rectal temperature, respiratory score, and general appearance score) and serum chemistry variables (glucose, total protein, urea N, nonesterified fatty acids, and creatinine) in calves were not affected (P >or= 0.12 and P >or= 0.12, respectively) by the treatments. Even though gross composition of the MR and WM was similar, growth was greater in calves fed WM. Calves fed WM consumed similar amounts of DM and were heavier than those fed MR, probably because of better bioavailability (digestion and assimilation) of nutrients and availability of some unknown growth factors from WM.     

Effects of dietary fiber and feeding frequency on ruminal fermentation, digesta water-holding capacity, and fractional turnover of contents.

To determine the effects of different sources of fiber and feeding frequency on digesta water-holding capacity (WHC; g H2O/g DM) and ruminal liquid contents, four ruminally fistulated Jersey steers were fed a 60:40 roughage-concentrate diet at 1.5 times NEm. Diets contained either sorghum silage (SS) or a 67:33 mixture of SS and soyhulls (SH) as roughage and were fed either once or 12 times daily, in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment with 15-d periods. Ruminal fluid was sampled at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, and 24 h after a dose of Co-EDTA on d 10 and analyzed for Co, VFA, ammonia, buffering capacity, and osmolality. Ruminal WHC, NDF, ADF, lignin, and starch were measured in samples obtained by ruminal evacuation at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after feeding on d 11, 12, 14, and 15, respectively. Substitution of SH for SS decreased ruminal pH .32 units and dilution rate by 26.8% but increased total VFA by 10.9%, osmolality by 13.6%, and the fractional turnover rate (FTR) of ADF by 22.5% (P less than .05). Frequent feeding resulted in 4.7, 21.9, and 74.4% increases in total VFA and FTR of ruminal DM and starch (P less than .05), respectively. Interactions (P less than .05) were observed between dietary fiber source and feeding frequency for ruminal fluid molar percentage acetate to propionate ratio (A/P), liquid volume (evacuated), and WHC (kilograms). Substituting SH for SS decreased ruminal WHC (kilograms), liquid volume, and A/P only in steers fed once daily. Ruminal WHC (kilograms) was correlated positively with ruminal liquid volume but negatively with DM FTR. The dynamics of digesta WHC (kilograms) associated with dietary fiber source and feeding frequency suggest that it may influence the contribution of water and salivary secretions to ruminal liquid contents.     

Effects of corn gluten feed on forage intake, digestibility and ruminal parameters of cattle fed native grass hay

Thirty-two beef cows (467 kg) were individually fed native grass hay and supplement for two 14-d periods in each of 2 yr. Supplement treatments and amounts fed (kilograms/day) were negative control (NC), 0, or equal amounts of protein from soybean meal (SBM), .7; a blend of soybean meal and corn gluten feed (SBM/CGF), 1.0; or corn gluten feed (CGF) 1.6. Cows received supplement at 0645 and had ad libitum access to native grass hay from 0700 to 1130 and from 1530 to 2000. Compared with NC, all protein supplements increased (P less than .05) ruminal NH3, propionate and butyrate concentrations at 4 and 25 h postfeeding. Ruminal fluid pH, total VFA and acetate concentrations at 4 and 35 h postfeeding were not affected by supplements. All supplements increased (P less than .01) hay intake as well as hay, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and total diet dry matter (DM) digestibility. Compared to supplemental SBM, feeding CGF reduced (P less than .01) hay intake. Calculated daily intakes of metabolizable energy (ME) were 12, 17, 18, and 17 Mcal for NC, SBM, SBM/CGF and CGF, respectively. Hay intake, DM and ADF digestibility and ME intakes tended to be higher for SBM/CGF than for the average of SBM and CGF fed alone. Intakes of digestible DM and ADF were not altered by protein supplements, suggesting that intake responses were due to increased diet digestibility. Corn gluten feed appears to be an effective source of supplemental protein and energy for cows consuming low-quality roughage.     

Alternate day supplementation of corn stalk diets with soybean meal or corn gluten meal fed to ruminants.

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effect of adding corn gluten mean (CGM) or soybean meal (SBM) at 24- or 48-h intervals to diets based on corn stalks. In each experiment corn stalks was the primary diet ingredient fed to wethers or steers. Monensin was also fed to determine whether its effects on ruminal fermentation would improve the efficiency of N utilization under these conditions. Evaluation criteria included ruminal fermentation characteristics, DM intake and utilization, N balance in sheep, and steer feedlot performance. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH3 N) concentrations measured over time were higher (P < .05) when diets contained SBM. Diet did not influence (P > .10) total VFA concentrations in ruminal fluid. Differences in diurnal shifts in ruminal NH3 N and total VFA due to protein source resulted in diet x hour interactions (P < .05). Dry matter intake response to protein source and frequency of supplement feeding was variable. Dry matter digestibility and nitrogen digestibility were not affected (P > .10) by protein source or feeding interval. The 48-h interval feeding of CGM was favorable compared with 24-h interval feeding (P < .05). The opposite response occurred with SBM, resulting in a diet x feeding interval interaction (P < .05). Nitrogen retention was greater (P < .05) when CGM was fed and with alternate day feeding. Diets that contained CGM supported higher (P < .05) ADG and gain/feed than diets that contained SBM when fed to steer calves. Alternate day feeding of supplements that contained monensin was detrimental to steer performance under the conditions of these experiments. Corn gluten meal is an effective substitute for SBM when alternate day protein supplementation is practiced.     

Summer fescue toxicity in dairy steers fed tall fescue seed

Seeds of the tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb .) cultivars Kentucky 31 and an experimental ryegrass X tall fescue hybrid derivative strain (G1-307), and orchard grass (OG) seed were fed in a carrier diet to calves in controlled environmental rooms (31 to 32 C). Both tall fescue varieties produced symptoms of summer toxicosis in dairy steers. Total feed intake (P less than .01) and water intake (P less than .01) of calves were reduced by the tall fescue seed diets when compared with orchard grass. Steers fed G1-307 and Kentucky 31 tall fescue lost (NS) 17.5 and 7.8 kg of body weight, respectively, while those consuming orchard grass gained (P less than .01) 6.2 kg during the experiment. Rectal temperatures were lower (P less than .05) in the calves fed OG (39.4 C) when compared with those fed G1-307 (40.6 C) and Kentucky 31 (40.8 C) tall fescue seed, respectively. In a second trial Kentucky 31 seed was fed in a carrier diet to Holstein steers at graded levels of 0, 350, 700 and 1,050 g seed/d. Consumption of 700 and 1,050 g seed/d adversely affected performance of steers. Total feed intake was lower and water intake was reduced (P less than .05), with rectal temperatures being elevated (P less than .01) in these two groups when compared with 0- or 350-g treatments. No significant differences were detected in body weight changes in this trial. Respiration rates were not significantly affected in either trial. Results of these trials with the young bovine indicate that a toxic substance(s) is present in tall fescue seed.     

Effects of lysocellin on performance, ruminal and plasma characteristics of growing cattle

Twenty-four Hereford steers averaging 228 kg initially were used to evaluate four levels of lysocellin (0, 11, 22 and 33 mg/kg diet) when individually fed a corn silage-based diet. Gains were similar for all lysocellin levels over the 112-d study. As lysocellin level increased, there was a linear decrease in dry matter intake and an improvement in feed conversion (P less than .05). Feed to gain ratios were 6.27, 6.14, 5.67 and 5.59 for the 0, 11, 22 and 33 mg/kg of lysocellin treatments, respectively. Molar proportion of acetate was lower (P less than .05) and propionate was higher (P less than .05) for steers fed lysocellin than for controls at d 84. Ruminal fluid concentrations of soluble Cu and Zn were higher (P less than .05) in steers fed lysocellin at 28 and 84 d and increased as lysocellin level increased. Plasma Zn was lower (P less than .05) at both 28 and 84 d in steers fed lysocellin, whereas plasma Cu concentrations were similar for controls and for those fed lysocellin. Both ruminal fluid soluble P and plasma P concentrations were higher (P less than .05) in steers fed lysocellin than in controls at d 84. These results are interpreted to indicate that feed conversion of growing cattle is improved by lysocellin and that metabolism of certain minerals is affected by this ionophore.     

Roughage sources in beef cattle finishing diets.

In four feeding trials with beef steers, corn silage (CS), alfalfa hay (AH), and alfalfa silage (AS) were compared as roughage sources in dry-rolled (DRC); dry whole (DWC); ground, high-moisture (GHMC); and whole, high-moisture corn (WHMC) fattening diets. In processed corn diets (DRC and GHMC), steers fed CS had lower DMI (P less than .05) and feed:gain ratios (P less than .10) than steers fed AS as the roughage source. In a separate trial, greater gains (P less than .10) and lower feed:gain ratios (P less than .05) were found during the initial feeding period, which included the adaptation phase, for steers fed CS vs steers fed AH as the roughage source. Over the entire feeding period, lower (corn type x roughage source interaction, P less than .05) feed:gain ratios were found in GHMC diets when CS was fed as the roughage source; feed:gain ratios were similar in steers fed DRC diets containing either CS or AH. Over the entire feeding period, similar performance was found among steers fed the various roughage sources in DWC diets; however, with WHMC diets, steers fed AS as the roughage source had lower feed:gain ratios than did steers fed AH (P less than .05) or CS (P greater than .10). In the processed corn diets, high correlations were found between diet NDF digestibility and gain (r = .80), intake (r = .68), and feed:gain ratios (r = -.66); similar trends were found in WHMC diets but not in DWC diets. These results suggest that the ideal roughage source to complement finishing diets may depend on corn processing method and feeding period (adaptation vs finishing).     

Influence of decoquinate on ruminal fermentation, diet digestibility and cattle performance

Three experiments utilizing three Holstein steers (235 and 299 kg avg body weight for Exp. 1 and 2, respectively) were conducted to evaluate the effects of decoquinate, a synthetic coccidiostat, on ruminal fermentation, diet digestibility and performance of steers fed a finishing diet containing monensin and tylosin. Experiment 1 utilized a 70% forage diet, whereas Exp. 2 utilized a 20% forage diet. Each experiment was a 3 X 3 Latin-square design with treatments being 0, .5 and 5 mg decoquinate/kg body weight. Ruminal fermentation characteristics, water kinetics and blood constituents were measured on d 11 of each period, and zero-time volatile fatty acid (VFA) production was measured at 3 and 6 h post-feeding on d 12 to 14. No changes were seen in plasma glucose or L-lactate, ruminal pH, NH3-N or ruminal L-lactate for either experiment. Dry matter digestibility was depressed (P less than .05) at the .5- and 5-mg levels of decoquinate in Exp. 1, but dry matter digestibility was not affected in Exp. 2. No changes were seen in ruminal volume, outflow or total VFA concentration for either experiment. Molar proportions of VFA were not affected in Exp. 1, but the proportions of isobutyrate and butyrate decreased (P less than .05) at the 5-mg level of decoquinate in Exp. 2. Volatile fatty acid production was not changed in Exp. 1, but butyrate production was decreased (P less than .05) at the 5-mg level in Exp. 2. Experiment 3 involved 135 crossbred steers (259 kg avg initial wt), which were stratified by weight into 12 pens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Growth and metabolism of growing beef calves fed tall fescue haylage supplemented with protein and(or) energy

Endophyte (Acremonium coenophialum)-infected Kentucky 31 tall fescue was fertilized in mid-August, stockpiled, harvested November 4 to 6 and stored in a concrete stave silo. Ninety-six growing calves (189 kg) were assigned to the following treatments (24 calves/treatment): 1) corn silage (CS) plus .4 kg/d of soybean meal (SBM; 2) fescue haylage plus .4 kg/d of SBM; 3) fescue haylage plus 1.6 kg/d of corn and 4) fescue haylage plus 1.6 kg/d of corn and .4 kg/d of SBM. Daily gains and dry matter (DM) intakes during the 91-d trial were .52, 4.58; .51, 5.22; .59, 6.06; and .63, 6.18 kg for treatments 1 through 4, respectively. Daily gains of calves fed corn silage plus SBM and fescue haylage plus SBM were not different (P greater than .05). However, a difference (P less than .05) existed between treatments 1 and 2 vs 3 and 4. Feed conversion was improved (P less than .05) in calves fed corn silage. Calves in a metabolism trial were fed either 1) 6.2 kg November-ensiled fescue haylage or 2) 6.2 kg November-ensiled fescue haylage plus 1.6 kg/d of corn. Digestibility of DM, N-free extract (NFE) and TDN did not differ (P greater than .05) between treatments. Ether extract digestibility was greater (P less than .05) for the added corn diet, while that of CP was greater (P less than .05) for the fescue haylage diet. Nitrogen retained was higher (P less than .05) for calves fed added corn. A follow-up trial with 96 growing calves (190 kg) compared September- and November-harvested fescue haylages supplemented with either 1.3 or 2.6 kg corn/d.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)