Abstract

The influence of drinking water treatment (Oxion Inc., Hugoton, KS) on digestion and metabolism was evaluated in steers fed low- and high-forage diets. Water treatment did not influence digestibility of any nutrient measured nor did it influence the profile of ruminal metabolites. Water treatment did increase water consumption two- to threefold and also increased ruminal fractional water outflow (%/h) for steers fed the high forage, but not the high concentrate, diet. Increased water consumption could be a beneficial response, but it is not known if water consumption increases with management programs different than those used in the present study.

Keywords: Cattlemen's Day, 1991, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution, no. 91-355-S, Report of progress (Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service), 623, Beef, Steer, Water, Digestibility, Intake, Rumen

How to Cite:

Harmon, D. & Flood, A., (1991) “Influence of water treatment on digestion dynamics of steers consuming high- and low-forage diets”, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports 1(1), 104-107. doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.2235