402 The effect of supplemental protein degradability and frequency of supplementation on nitrogen metabolism of beef cattle consuming low-quality forage
Factorial study demonstrates biweekly high rumen degradable protein triggers severe metabolite swings in steers, suggesting increased nitrogen loss.
Key Points
Biweekly delivery of high rumen degradable protein triggers volatile metabolite shifts in steers, causing rumen fluid pH to fluctuate between 6.99 and 5.97.
Steers fed high degradable protein biweekly showed rapid spikes in plasma urea nitrogen and rumen ammonia, whereas low degradable protein stayed stable.
In a 2 by 2 factorial Latin rectangle with eight cannulated Angus steers, infrequent feeding of degradable protein may reduce forage use and raise waste.