Digestibility of Dry Matter is Better and Manure Output is Lower in Growing Cattle Limit-Fed a High-Energy Diet During the Growing Phase Compared to a Traditional Roughage-Based Diet Fed for Ad Libitum Intake

Authors

M. A. Scilacci, Kansas State UniversityFollow
E. Titgemeyer, Kansas State University, ManhattanFollow
S. P. Montgomery, Corn Belt Livestock Services, Papillion, NE
T. J. Spore, Kansas State UniversityFollow
A. J. Tarpoff, Kansas State UniversityFollow
T. G. O'Quinn, Kansas State UniversityFollow
W. R. Hollenbeck, Kansas State University, ManhattanFollow
D. A. Blasi, Kansas State UniversityFollow

Keywords

Limit feeding, growing cattle, diet digestibility

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the impact on intake and digestion of a high-energy diet limit-fed at 85% of the ad libitum daily consumption of a roughage-based diet on a dry matter (DM) basis compared to a traditional roughage-based growing diet in growing cattle.

Study Description: Eight ruminally cannulated crossbred Angus heifers (body weight = 450 ± 24 lb) were used in a cross-over design with two consecutive 15-day periods at the Kansas State University Beef Stocker Unit. Two dietary treatments were fed: (1) 45 Mcal of net energy for gain (NE_g) per 100 lb of DM fed for ad libitum DM intake (45AL), or (2) 60 Mcal NE_g per 100 lb of DM limit-fed at 85% of 45AL diet intake on a DM basis (60LF85%). Both diets contained 40% of DM as Sweet Bran (Cargill Animal Nutrition, Blair, NE). Heifers were fed once daily at 10:00 a.m. Each 15-day period included 10 days for diet adaption, 4 days for fecal sampling, and 1 day for ruminal sampling. Daily nutrient intake was measured and apparent total-tract diet digestibility using chromic oxide (Cr₂O₃) marker was determined.

Results: Ruminal pH was greater (P < 0.01) from 10:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. just before feeding for heifers fed 60LF85% than 45AL heifers. Diet digestibility was improved by 5.2% (P < 0.01) and fecal DM output 35% lower (P < 0.01) in heifers fed 60LF85% than heifers fed 45AL.

The Bottom Line: Heifers limit-fed a high-energy diet based on corn and Sweet Bran had greater ruminal pH during the overnight hours, better diet digestibility, and reduced output of manure than heifers full-fed a traditional roughage-based diet.

Recommended Citation

Scilacci, M. A.; Titgemeyer, E.; Montgomery, S. P.; Spore, T. J.; Tarpoff, A. J.; O'Quinn, T. G.; Hollenbeck, W. R.; and Blasi, D. A. (2022) "Digestibility of Dry Matter is Better and Manure Output is Lower in Growing Cattle Limit-Fed a High-Energy Diet During the Growing Phase Compared to a Traditional Roughage-Based Diet Fed for Ad Libitum Intake," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 8: Iss. 1. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8227