The effects of supplementation frequency and amount of urea in dry supplements on intake and digestibility of low-quality tallgrass-prairie forage by beef steers

Authors

B.C. Woods
R.C. Cochran
C.P. Mathis
J.S. Heldt
Gerald L. Stokka
K. C. Olson
Evan C. Titgemeyer

Keywords

Cattlemen's Day, 1997; Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution; no. 97-309-S; Report of progress (Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service); 783; Beef; Steers; Forage; Urea; Supplementation frequency; Intake; Digestibility

Abstract

Sixteen ruminally fistulated steers were used to evaluate the effects of altering supplementation frequency and including urea in dry supplements on forage intake and digestion. Intake of low-quality tallgrass-prairie hay was not affected by supplementation frequency or by the inclusion of urea. Supplementing cattle less frequently resulted in a decrease in diet digestion. However, we observed a slight trend for reduced supplementation frequency to exert a greater impact when cattle were fed supplements that contained urea.

Recommended Citation

Woods, B.C.; Cochran, R.C.; Mathis, C.P.; Heldt, J.S.; Stokka, Gerald L.; Olson, K. C.; and Titgemeyer, Evan C. (1997) "The effects of supplementation frequency and amount of urea in dry supplements on intake and digestibility of low-quality tallgrass-prairie forage by beef steers," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 0: Iss. 1. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.1941