ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of Acacia mearnsii extract as a source of condensed tannins on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) balance, rumen fermentation, and blood parameters of feedlot‐finished cattle. Eight rumen‐cannulated bulls were distributed in a replicated 4 × 4 square Latin design. The treatments consisted of a control diet with no extract inclusion (0 g/kg) and three diets with 10, 30, and 50 g/kg on a dry matter (DM) basis of A. mearnsii extract. Adding A. mearnsii extract to the diet linearly reduced ( p 0.05), but ruminal pH and serum proteins linearly decreased ( p < 0.05) with the inclusion of extract. Including A. mearnsii extract in the diet of cattle at levels up to 50‐g/kg DM reduces intake and increases the utilization of the feed and its nutrients.
Santos et al. (Thu,) studied this question.