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Effect of crude protein level and degradability on performance and rumen fermentation in weaned beef heifers fed a concentrate-barley straw diet ad libitum

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2021

M. Devant
Affiliation:
Departament de Patologia i Producció Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
A. Ferret
Affiliation:
Departament de Patologia i Producció Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
S. Calsamiglia
Affiliation:
Departament de Patologia i Producció Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
R. Casals
Affiliation:
Departament de Patologia i Producció Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
J. Gasa
Affiliation:
Departament de Patologia i Producció Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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Extract

Because high quality forages are scarce and expensive, most Mediterranean countries traditionally follow a “barley-beef” system. Within a few weeks after switching to a dry feed diet, the progressively weaned calf is able to digest its diet as efficiently as adult ruminants (Anderson, 1987; Lalles and Poncet, 1990). Assuming that in high concentrate diet enough energy is available, the level and degradability of protein may influence the amount and quality of AA supplied to the duodenum and total nitrogen excretion in faeces and urine. The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of crude protein and degradability level on performance and rumen fermentation in weaned crossbreed beef heifers from 100 to 230 kg body weight fed with high concentrate rations.

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Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 1998

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References

Anderson, K. L., Nagaraja, T. G., Morrill, J. L., Avery, T. B., Galitzer, S. J. and Boyer, J. E. 1987. Ruminal microbial development in conventionally or early weaned calves. Journal. Animal. Science 64:12151226.10.2527/jas1987.6441215xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lalles, J. P. and Poncet, C. 1990. Changes in ruminal and intestinal digestion during and after weaning in Dairy calves fed concentrate diets containing pea or soya bean meal. 1. Digestion of organic matter and nitrogen. Livestock. Production. Science. 24:129142.10.1016/0301-6226(90)90073-FCrossRefGoogle Scholar