The Value of Several Ammoniated Products as Feed for Beef Cattle

Abstract

Various ammoniated protein substitute products were compared with natural proteins in 4 fattening expts. involving 251 steers. The ammoniated products include: citrus pulp, cane molasses, and a saccharified by-product from furfural production (Furameal). The ammoniated citrus pulp and ammoniated molasses had approx. 24% and the Furameal 35% protein equivalent. Steers fed a protein supplement in which Furameal supplied approx. 1/5 of the protein, made 0.08 lb. more daily gain than those on the supplement having similar protein replacement by urea, with almost identical efficiency of gain. Steers fed a similar protein replacement by ammoniated molasses, gained 0.04 lb. /day less than those getting the urea supplement, with almost identical efficiency of gain. In another test in which ammoniated molasses replaced 1/6 of the protein in the supplement (32% protein), gains were exactly the same as the controls, and feed efficiency nearly the same. In this comparison, steers getting a comparable amt. of protein from ammoniated dried citrus pulp, gained within 0.02 lb. /day of the controls on almost the same feed consumption. In the last test, 64 steers in 4 groups fed a 24% protein supplement containing Furameal, supplying 1/5 to 2/5 of the protein, gained from 0.02 to 0.04 lb. more /day than the controls. A combination of Furameal and ammoniated molasses, each supplying 1/5 of the protein in the supplement, produced 0.08 lb. more gain /day than the controls, with almost identical feed efficiency.