Effect of Chopping or Cubing Hay on Apparent Digestibility of Nutrients When Fed to Angus, Hereford, and Charolais Steers

Author

Rebecca Ann Willcutt

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Rude, Brian J.

Committee Member

Davis, Jeremiah D.

Committee Member

Ward, Stephanie H.

Date of Degree

8-17-2013

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Animal Nutrition

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate digestibility of cubed hay as a feedstuff for ruminants. Angus (n=6), Hereford (n=3), and Charolais (n=3; total n=12; 226 ± 21.8kg) steers, stratified by breed, were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups: 1) hay; 2) chopped; 3) cubed. There was no difference (P > 0.05) of DMI or digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, and energy among treatments. Steers consuming hay digested more CP than those consuming chopped. Steers consuming cubed digested less CP than those consuming hay or chopped. More fat was digested by steers consuming hay or chopped than by those consuming cubed. Steers consuming cubed retained more nitrogen than those consuming chopped. Those consuming hay were intermediate. Nitrogen metabolized was greater for steers consuming hay than for steers consuming chopped. Those consuming cubed were intermediate. Steers consuming hay and cubed had greater metabolizable protein than those consuming chopped.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/20624

Recommended Citation

Willcutt, Rebecca Ann, "Effect of Chopping or Cubing Hay on Apparent Digestibility of Nutrients When Fed to Angus, Hereford, and Charolais Steers" (2013). Theses and Dissertations. 1645.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/1645