Effects of Frequency of Feeding on Urea Utilization and Growth Characteristics in Dairy Heifers

Forty Guernsey heifers were utilized in nmltiple-feeding studies with resulting data showing significantly greater (14.4%) body weight gain in heifers fed six times (6X) than those fed twice (2×) daily.No significant difference was observed in wither heights when fed 2 × or 6 × daily or when the primal T grain nitrogen source was from urea or soybean oil meal.There was a significant decrease (11.8%) in estimated Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) required per pound of body weight gain resulting from 6× feeding as compared to 2 × daily feeding.No statistical difference in growth and feed efficiency was observed mnong heifers fed protein and urea nitrogen when the urea nitrogen ration was fed 6× daily; however, there was a statistically significant (P < 0.01) reduction in body weight gain and feed efficiency when the urea nitrogen ration was fed only 2 × daily.