A Comparison of Ammoniated Molasses, Urea, and Cottonseed Meal as a Source of Nitrogen in The Ration of Dairy Heifers

Abstract

Three comparable groups of heifers (24 Holsteins and 9 Jerseys) were used to study the value of ammoniated invert cane molasses (32% protein equivalent) and urea as a substitute for cottonseed meal. Each heifer was fed daily 25 lb. of corn and soybean silage, 3 lb. of chopped grass hay, and a concentrate mixture according to body weight. The concentrate mixture contained approximately 12.7% crude protein. The ammoniated molasses, urea, and cottonseed meal supplied 30% of the protein equivalent in this specific concentrate mixture and 18% of the protein equivalent in the total ration. Similar gains were made by all groups receiving either ration. The average daily gains for the ammoniated molasses, urea, and cottonseed meal rations were 1.04, 0.92, and 1.23 lb., respectively. An average of 7.3, 9.2, and 6.0 lb. of feed/lb. of gain was required on the ammoniated molasses, urea, and cottonseed meal rations, respectively. The cottonseed meal ration produced more economical gains, with ammoniated molasses being second and the urea ration being the least economical.