Feeding trials with ammoniated molasses in the diet of young dairy cattle

Abstract

1. Ammoniated invert molasses when used as a food for yearling dairy cattle proved toxic in doses of 1 lb. per day.2. When ammoniated invert molasses had been acidified with phosphoric acid the toxicity was markedly reduced but not entirely eliminated. Ammoniated molasses acidified with acetic acid produced no toxic effects but the live-weight responses of yearling cattle was inferior to a ration markedly deficient in protein. The poor responses may have been partially due to the unpalatability of the ammoniated molasses.3. The ammoniated molasses used in experiment 1 did not produce toxic symptoms in rats but it did result in reduced food consumption and poor growth.4. The ammoniated molasses treated with acetic acid, when included at the rate of 10% of the diet of guinea-pigs, depressed appetite and caused toxic effects.