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Title: NITROGEN METABOLISM IN BEEF STEERS FED GAMAGRASS OR ORCHARDGRASS HAY WITH OR WITHOUT A SUPPLEMENT

Author
item MAGEE, K - NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV
item POORE, M - NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV
item Burns, Joseph
item HUNTINGTON, G - NORTH CAROLINA STATE

Submitted to: Canadian Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/29/2004
Publication Date: 6/10/2005
Citation: Magee, K.J., Poore, M.H., Burns, J.C., Huntington, G.B. 2005. Nitrogen metabolism in beef steers fed gamagrass or orchardgrass hay with or without a supplement. Canadian Journal of Animal Science. 85:107-109

Interpretive Summary: Supplementation with corn and soybean hulls at a rate of 0.75% of body weight to grass hays containing about 60% total digestible nutrients and ranging from 9 to 12% crude protein will reduce hay intake , but increase the total digestible DM intake. Supplementation will improve the rate and efficiency of N capture as body tissue in steers, which should increase rate and efficiency of weight gain.

Technical Abstract: A 50:50 soybean hull:corn grain supplement fed at o.75% of BW decreased ad libitum gamagrass or orchardgrass hay intake by steers, but increased total DM intake, DM digestibility, N intake, and N retained. Supplement had a greater effect on N metabolism in steers fed orchardgrass than steers fed gamagrass.