Anhydrous Ammonia Treatment of Corn Stover and Its Effects on Digestibility, Intake and Performance of Beef Cattle

Abstract

Three trials were conducted to evaluate the feeding value of corn stover treated with anhydrous ammonia (NH₃). Four yearling steers were fed corn stover ad libitum and one of three supplements (.91 kg/d) in a 4 X 4 Latin square digestion trial. Supplemental protein was provided by soybean meal, urea or corn (negative protein control). The diet including NH₃-treated corn stover (C-NH₃) was supplemented with corn supplement, as was one of the diets including control corn stover (NC). The diet containing NH₃-treated (2.0% NH₃, dry basis) corn stover had a higher (P<.05) dry matter digestibility (DMD) and higher crude protein content than the other three diets, and daily dry matter intake (DMI) was greatest (P<.001) with C-NH₃. N retention values for animals fed C-NH₃ were similar to those for animals fed control corn stover with soybean meal (CS) or urea (CU) supplements. An intake trial conducted with 20 yearling steers fed the four diets indicated that DMI of C-NH₃ (treated at 3.0% of dry matter) was greater (P<.05) than the DMI of any of the other diets. The DMI of diets supplemented with soybean meal or urea was greater (P<.05) than that of the negative control. Weight changes by steers fed the four diets were not different (P>.10). Fifty-six mature pregnant beef cows receiving diets similar to those fed in the first two trials were used in a 70-d performance trial. Cows fed C-NH₃ (treated at 3.2% of dry matter) had higher (P<.01) weight gains than cows fed CS, CU or NC. Condition score for cows fed C-NH₃ did not change, whereas condition score decreased for cows fed CS, CU or NC (P<.05). Birth weights were similar with all treatments. Under the conditions of these trials, NH₃ treatment improved the feeding value of corn stover. Copyright © 1982. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1982 by American Society of Animal Science