EFFECT OF VARYING THE PROPORTION OF MOLASSES AND LOW QUALITY HAY IN THE DIET ON DIGESTION AND MICROBIAL PROTEIN PRODUCTION BY STEERS

摘要

The growth of animals on high molasses diets is often low, but increases when they are supplemented with true protein sources (Preston and Willis 1970; McLennan et al. 1998). This indicates that molasses may not support a high ruminal microbial protein (MCP) production. Rowe et al. (1980) reported a relatively low efficiency of microbial protein (eMCP) production in bulls fed high molasses diets whereas Ramirez and Kowalczyk (1971) reported a similar eMCP production in calves fed a molasses/urea-based diet to that usually found in steers fed concentrate-based diets. The present experiment was carried out to determine the effect of increasing the proportion of molasses in the diet on microbial protein production in the rumen of cattle.