Abstract

Objective:Evaluate the impact on intake and digestion of a high-energy diet limit-fed at 85% of thead libitumdaily 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 forad libitumDM intake (45AL), or (2) 60 Mcal NE_gper 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.

Keywords: Limit feeding, growing cattle, diet digestibility

How to Cite:

Scilacci, M. A., Titgemeyer, E., Montgomery, S. P., Spore, T. J., Tarpoff, A. J., O'Quinn, T. G., Hollenbeck, W. R. & 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 8(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8227