Utilization of Blackstrap Molasses, Urea in Molasses, and Ammoniated Molasses by Dairy Heifers

Abstract

Digestion and balance studies were conducted with dairy heifers to study utilization of molasses, urea-molasses, and ammoniated molasses when fed with corn silage. Cottonseed meal was fed in all rations except those containing higher levels of nitrogenous additives. Three pounds of each type of molasses was fed daily with the exception of the control. The protein fraction was more digestible with rations containing 5 and 10% urea-molasses. Nitrogen balance studies of these 2 rations showed + 5.26 g and - 0.73 g/day respectively. Protein fractions of 15% ammoniated molasses and 32% ammoniated molasses rations were less digestible (highly significant). Nitrogen balance of - 5.87 g/day was found with 15% ammoniated molasses ration. Molasses significantly depressed the digestibility of the crude protein. Molasses contained 75.6% total digestible nutrients on dry matter basis.