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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #79196
Title: PERFORMANCE OF STEERS FED EITHER COMPRESSED MOLASSES BLOCKS, LIQUID MOLASSES OR DRY PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS ON BERMUDAGRASS PASTURES

Author
item PHILLIPS, WILLIAM
item HORN, GERALD - OKLA. STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objective of this experiment was to determine if molasses based supplements containing NPN could increase the performance of summer stocker steers grazing Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon 'Midland') pastures as efficiently as a plant protein supplement. Over three grazing seasons, 1989 to 1991, cross-bred steers ( n= 420, mean weight = 255 kg) were randomly assigned to either a non-supplemented group or to the following supplemented groups; 1) 3.2 kg of a 38% CP plant protein supplement fed in three equal portions per week during the last half of the grazing season, 2) ad libitum access throughout the grazing season to compressed molasses block containing 37% CP with 16% CP equivalents from NPN (Year 1 only), or 3) limit access to liquid supplement provided in a lick tank (Year 2 and 3 only). The liquid supplement used in Year 2 contained 16% CP with 10% CP equivalents from NPN, while in Year 3 the liquid supplement contained 24% CP with 18.5% protein equivalents from NPN. All supplements contained lasalocid. Data were analyzed within year as a completely randomized design using pasture as the experimental unit. Supplemental protein significantly increased ADG (.51 vs .69 kg), regardless of form. Molasses based supplements fed as compressed blocks or as a liquid supplement were as effective as a dry all plant protein supplement in increasing ADG of steers grazing Bermudagrass pastures during the summer.