Performance by Pregnant Beef Cows Consuming Different Levels of Broiler Litter, Grain, and Roughag1,2

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LitterAnimal for Beef Scientist Cows The Professional 13:77–83

Performance by Pregnant Beef Cows Consuming Different Levels of Broiler Litter, Grain, and Roughage1,2 J. E. ROSSI*,3 , A. L. GOETSCH†,4 , PAS, and D. S. HUBBELL*,5 *Department of Animal Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, and †Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Booneville, AR 72927

Abstract Brangus-sired beef cows (100; 511 ± 4.4 kg initial BW) were used to determine performance effects of different dietary levels of deep-stacked broiler litter, ground sorghum grain, and bermudagrass hay given in late gestation (63 d; 179 to 242 d of gestation). Treatments were hay consumed ad libitum (Control); 0.2% BW of sorghum grain, 0.1% BW of soybean meal (DM basis), and ad libitum consumption of hay (S); 0.2% BW of hay (DM basis) and ad libitum consumption of a 90% litter (harvested after two 6-wk broiler growing periods, 30% ash, 21% CP, and

1Published

with the approval of the Director of the Arkansas Agric. Exp.Sta., Manuscript No. 96109.

2Mention of a trademark or proprietary prod-

uct in this paper does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the USDA or the ARS and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may also be suitable. 3Present

address: Dept. of Anim. Sci., Ohio State Univ., Wooster, OH 44691.

4To

whom correspondence should be addressed.

5Livestock and Forestry Branch Sta., Batesville,

AR 72501. Reviewed by T. L. Stanton and W. J. Clawson.

49% NDF), 10% sorghum grain mixture (as fed basis; H); 0.2% BW of hay (DM basis) and ad libitum consumption of a 70% litter, 30% sorghum grain mixture (as fed basis; M-S); and 0.6% BW of hay (DM basis) and ad libitum consumption of an 87% litter, 13% sorghum grain mixture (as fed basis; M-B). Total DM intake was less (P<0.05) for H than for M-S and M-B (14.8, 15.9, 12.9, 18.1, and 17.2 kg/d for Control, S, H, M-S, and M-B, respectively). Likewise, cow BW change during the feeding period was less (P<0.05) for H vs M-S and M-B (1.25, 1.34, 0.65, 1.17, and 1.23 kg/d), although BW loss after feeding (43 d before and 62 d after calving) was lower (P=0.06) for H than for M-S and M-B (0.70, 0.71, 0.49, 0.75, and 0.75 kg/d for Control, S, H, M-S, and M-B, respectively). Calf birth weight and BW gain in the 62 d after calving were similar (P>0.10) among treatments. In conclusion, with sources of broiler litter such as this one, very low dietary levels of other feedstuffs can negatively affect cow BW change in late gestation via limited feed intake, although effects may be compensated for thereafter with adequate forage availability and quality. A moderate level of roughage (e.g., 0.6% BW; DM basis) in litter-based diets can support performance comparable to that with a moderate cereal grain level.

(Key Words: Beef Cattle, Broiler Litter, Performance.)

Introduction For many years, broiler litter has been effectively used in areas of abundance as an inexpensive feedstuff for cattle (4). However, research supporting general feeding guidelines for use of broiler litter at relatively high dietary proportions is not extensive. One common recommendation is that roughage should be at least 5 to 10% of total DM intake to avoid bloat (2, 12). However, effects of higher dietary levels on animal performance are unknown, and many beef producers feed a set mixture of broiler litter and cereal grain and simply provide free access to roughage without knowledge of actual consumption. In this regard, Rossi et al. (11) noted slightly greater digestible organic matter intake by growing Holstein steers fed diets with 0.6 (15% of total DM intake) or 0.9% BW of bermudagrass hay vs 0.3% BW. Cereal grains are typically mixed with broiler litter before feeding. During adaptation to broiler litter consumption, dilution with cereal grain aids in the familiarization process, although with proper deepstacking palatability is normally not a

© Copyright 1997 American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists

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Rossi et al.

ing period. Litter was deep-stacked for approximately 2 mo before the experiment began. The stack was approximately 11 × 11 m and 1.2 (sides) to 1.8 m (center) tall. The stack was situated outside and covered with black plastic to prevent moisture exposure. A commercial thermometer was used periodically to measure temperature in the center of the stack. Deep-stacked litter was fed by mixing with ground sorghum grain in a wagon mixer and placement in self-feeders, typically biweekly. The DM concentration in litter and sorghum grain at the onset of the experiment was quantified by drying at 100 °C (1) to determine percentages of broiler litter and One hundred multiparous sorghum grain necessary to achieve Brangus-sired crossbred cows were desired dietary percentages. Care was used in an experiment conducted at taken to ensure that mixtures were the University of Arkansas Livestock available for consumption at all and Forestry Branch Station near Batesville, AR, beginning on Novem- times. Mixtures were weighed at the time of placement in feeders; residues ber 28, 1995. Cows were weighed full 1 wk before trial initiation. Cows were removed and weighed at the end of the experiment and periodiwere blocked by BW and allotted to cally during the study. 10 groups, with 10 cows per group, The Control treatment entailed ad for similar BW and variation in BW within group. Cows were reweighed libitum consumption of large round bales of coastal bermudagrass hay. A at the start of the experiment (511 + 4.4 kg initial BW), sorted into groups, treatment abbreviated as S also consisted of ad libitum consumption and placed in 10 2-ha dormant of the same bermudagrass hay but common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) paddocks. Based on calving with a mixture of ground sorghum grain and soybean meal at 0.2 and date, cows were 179 ± 1.2 d in 0.1% BW (DM basis), respectively, gestation when the experiment offered daily. Body weight used for began. The feeding period of the experiment was 9 wk in length, with determining feedstuff quantities was the average for all animals detercows being 242 d in gestation at the end and calving 43 d later. After the mined on d 1, 21, and 42. Large round bales of bermudagrass hay for feeding period, cows were managed Control and S treatments were together on endophyte-infected fescue (Festuca arundinacea) pasture in weighed immediately before placement in metal ring feeders, and the spring until being placed on residual hay was removed and common bermudagrass pasture in late-spring, with mineral supplement weighed periodically during the experiment and at termination of the available at all times. experiment. Two groups were randomly A treatment abbreviated as H assigned to each of five treatments. Three treatments included consump- consisted of daily offering of 0.2% BW of bermudagrass hay and ad tion of deep-stacked broiler litter. libitum consumption of a 90% Broiler litter was obtained from a broiler litter, 10% grain sorghum local poultry grower after two growmixture (as fed basis). The ing periods of approximately 6-wk bermudagrass hay used for this and duration. Bedding was rice hulls the other two broiler litter treatments applied before the first broiler growproblem. However, sometimes the final level of grain mixed with litter is fairly high, lessening or negating economic advantage of litter usage, even though benefits of high cereal grain levels or consequences of lower levels have not been thoroughly explored. Therefore, objectives of this experiment were to determine effects of dietary broiler litter inclusion and use of low or moderate levels of grain and long-stemmed grass hay in diets of beef cows in late gestation on cow BW change and calf birth weight and BW change.

Materials and Methods

was in square bales, being previously harvested from the same field at the same time as large round bales used for Control and S treatments. The treatment designated as M-S signified daily offering of 0.2% BW of bermudagrass hay and ad libitum consumption of a 70% broiler litter, 30% grain sorghum mixture (as fed basis), and the treatment abbreviated as M-B denoted daily offering of 0.6% BW of bermudagrass hay and ad libitum consumption of an 87% broiler litter, 13% grain sorghum mixture (as fed basis). Feedstuffs consumed in set, daily quantities were offered at approximately 0900 h. Before the experiment all cows had been gradually adapted over a 2wk period to consumption of broiler litter at a dietary level similar to those to be employed. Target dietary percentages (DM basis) were 10, 10, 30, and 10% sorghum grain; 85, 10, 10, and 30% bermudagrass; 0, 80, 60, and 60% broiler litter for S, H, M-S, and M-B treatments, respectively; and 5% soybean meal for S. Control and S cows received 55 g/d of a mineral mixture consisting of 55.5% dicalcium phosphate, 36.4% salt, and 9.1% trace mineral mix (> 12% Zn, 10% Mn, 5% K, 2.5% Mg, 1.5% Cu, 0.3% I, 0.1% Co, and 0.02% Se) in a mineral feeder. Cows receiving broiler litter were given free access to plain salt blocks and received an injection at the beginning of the experiment with 1,000,000 IU vitamin A and 150,000 IU cholecalciferol. Samples of large round bales of bermudagrass hay and broiler litter were obtained at the time of placement in feeders to form composite samples for 21-d periods. Samples of broiler litter were frozen during the experiment and thereafter. Similar composite samples for square bales of bermudagrass hay were derived by daily sampling. Broiler litter and hay samples were analyzed for DM, ash, Kjeldahl nitrogen (1), and NDF (16; without sodium sulfite, ethoxy ethanol, or decalin). Cows were weighed at 3-wk intervals during the feeding portion of the experiment

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TABLE 1. Effects of dietary levels of deep-stacked broiler litter, ground sorghum grain, and bermudagrass hay in late-gestation on beef cow performance. Treatmenta Itemb

Control

DM intake by cows, kg/d Soybean meal Sorghum grain Bermudagrass hay Broiler litter Total

0 0 14.0 0 14.0

Cow BW, kg d0 d 21 d 42 d 63 62 d postcalvingd Cow BW gain, kg/d d 1 through 21 d 22 through 42 d 43 through 63 d 1 through 63 d 63 through 62 d postcalving Cow condition scoree Calving 62 d postcalving Change from calving to 62 d postcalving Calf BW, kg Birth 62 d after birth BW gain from birth to 62 d thereafter, kg/d

508 548 563 590 517

S

0.5 1.1 13.5 0 15.1

512 544 570 596 519

H

M-S

M-B

0 1.1 1.1 8.5 10.7

0 4.8 1.1 9.5 15.4

0 1.7 3.3 9.7 14.6

515 528 524 552 508

512 539 564 585 506

509 557 580 589 510

SE

Effectc

0 0.11 0.08 0.85 0.96

S,IN S,IN,L,T S,IN,L,T S,IN L

2.3 8.4 8.5 8.8 3.9

L L in

1.75 0.74 1.27 1.25

1.56 1.24 1.22 1.34

0.81 –0.21 1.35 0.65

1.33 1.17 0.97 1.17

2.19 1.10 0.41 1.23

0.401 0.124 0.363 0.140

–0.70

–0.71

–0.49

–0.75

–0.75

0.093

lN

5.14 5.24

5.57 5.47

5.14 5.21

5.52 5.42

5.32 5.02

0.151 0.122

t

0.11

–0.05

0.05

–0.10

–0.30

0.125

36.8 103 1.13

37.3 105 1.12

37.7 108 1.31

36.5 110 1.19

38.3 109 1.18

IN,L L

1.54 4.4 0.077

aControl = bermudagrass hay consumed ad libitum; S = 0.2% BW of sorghum grain, 0.1% BW of soybean meal (DM basis), and ad libitum consumption of bermudagrass hay; H = 0.2% BW of bermudagrass hay (DM basis) and ad libitum consumption of a 90% broiler litter, 10% sorghum grain mixture (as fed basis); M-S = 0.2% BW of bermudagrass hay (DM basis) and ad libitum consumption of a 70% broiler litter, 30% sorghum grain mixture (as fed basis); M-B = 0.6% BW of bermudagrass hay (DM basis) and ad libitum consumption of an 87% broiler litter, 13% sorghum grain mixture (as fed basis). b Cow BW on d 0 was used as a covariate for other cow variables. cS and s = supplementation (Control vs mean of other treatments; P < 0.05 and 0.10, respectively); In and in = dietary broiler litter inclusion (S vs mean of H, M-S, and M-B; P < 0.05 and 0.10, respectively); L and lN = dietary level of broiler litter (H vs mean of M-S and M-B; P < 0.05 and 0.10, respectively); T and t = type of feedstuff included in broiler litter diets at 30% (M-S vs M-B; P < 0.05 and 0.10, respectively). d 62 + 1.4 d postcalving. eNine-point scale.

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and at an average of 62 d postcalving. Cow condition score was determined with a nine-point scale at calving and 62 d later, and calves were weighed at these times as well. On the final day of the experiment immediately after weighing [approximately 24 h after feeding of sorghum grain, soybean meal, and(or) hay], ruminal fluid was collected via stomach tube from four cows in each group chosen randomly. Fluid strained through eight layers of cheesecloth was acidified with 7.2 N H2SO4 and frozen. After thawing, fluid was analyzed for volatile fatty acids (5) and ammonia nitrogen concentrations (3). Data were analyzed using GLM procedures of SAS® (13), most with a model containing treatment and group within treatment (error term for treatment effects). In addition, perhaps in part because allocation to groups was based on BW determined 1 wk before the trial began and an unexplained death of one cow while in the feeding portion of the experiment (M-S treatment), initial BW had a significant (P≤0.05) effect on some variables (e.g., BW gain on d 1 through 63; P=0.05) and, therefore, was included as a covariate for cow variables other than for feed intake. Calf data was analyzed as a split-plot, with a subplot of sex. Orthogonal contrasts were conducted for supplementation (Control vs the mean of other treatments), dietary inclusion of broiler litter (S vs the mean of H, M-S, and M-B), level of broiler litter (H vs the mean of M-S and M-B), and type of feedstuff included in broiler litter diets at a moderate level (M-S vs M-B). Besides the cow that died during the feeding portion of the experiment, missing data also resulted from one cow on the S treatment and 1 H cow that did not calve, and from two cows on the S treatment that died for unknown reasons at 41 and 42 d after parturition. Lastly, four calves died at birth or before weighing 62 d later (1, 2, and 1 for Control, H, and M-S, respectively).

Rossi et al.

Results

diets with broiler litter than for the S diet. The change in cow condition score from calving until 62 d later Broiler litter averaged 30.1% ash, was similar (P>0.10) among treat21.3% CP, and 48.6% NDF, and ments. Likewise, dietary treatment bermudagrass hay was 8.3% CP and 80.9% NDF (DM basis). Temperature did not affect (P>0.10) calf birth weight or BW gain from birth to 62 d in the center of the deep-stack was of age. 47, 56, 54, 52, 54, 59, 63, 64, 64, 64, Ammonia nitrogen concentration 58, 57, 56, 52, and 46 °C at 1, 4, 5, 6, in ruminal fluid was greater (P=0.09) 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 25, 39, for the mean of H, M-S, and M-B and 53 d, respectively. than for S (Table 2). The concentraTarget percentages of different tion of total volatile fatty acids in feedstuffs in diets were based on ruminal fluid was similar (P>0.10) predictions of total feed intake. among treatments. The molar Thus, some actual percentages were considerably different than projected. percentage of acetate and the acetate to propionate ratio were lower However, consumption of sorghum (P<0.05) for the mean of littergrain was fairly similar for S, H, and M-B treatments and less than for M-S containing diets than for S. Correspondingly, the molar percentage of as desired. Hay intake was not greatly different between Control and propionate was greater (P<0.05) for the mean of H, M-S, and M-B than S treatments and was approximately for S. Also, the molar percentage of three times greater for M-B than for butyrate was less (P<0.05) for S than H and M-S. Broiler litter consumpfor the mean of H, M-S, and M-B. tion was similar (P>0.10) among H, M-S, and M-B diets, and was 79, 62, and 66%, respectively, of total DM intake. Total DM intake was greater (P<0.05) for the mean of M-S and Deep-stack temperatures were M-B than for H. adequate to eliminate potential Cows began the experiment after pathogens in litter (2) but not so completing 63% of gestation and high as to render large portions of ended at 85%. Thus, BW gain during nitrogenous compounds and carbothe experiment was appreciable. hydrate indigestible via the complete Daily BW gain was similar (P>0.10) sequence of Maillard reactions (15). among treatments in the first 3 wk of Concentrations of ash and NDF the experiment, although numeriindicate that the litter was of modercally gain was less for H than for the ate to low feeding value compared mean of M-S and M-B (P=0.11) and with other broiler litter sources. For for M-S than for M-B (P=0.19). In the example, Ruffin and McCaskey (12) second 3-wk period, BW gain destated that an ash concentration of creased with dietary broiler litter greater than 28% indicates excessive inclusion and was lower for H than contamination with soil. However, for the mean of M-S and M-B diets litter harvested after a relatively low (P<0.05). However, BW gain did not number of broiler growing periods differ (P>0.10) in the third 3-wk (e.g., one or two) would also be period. In the entire 9-wk feeding relatively high in ash because of the period, daily gain was less (P<0.05) correspondingly high proportion of for H than for the mean of M-S and high-ash bedding material in litter, in M-B diets. From the end of the this case rice hulls. The NDF fraction experiment through 62 d after quantified in this experiment was not calving (105 d period), however, BW ashless. Nonetheless, considerably loss was less (P=0.07) for H than for lower concentrations of NDF have the mean of M-S and M-B treatments. been observed with harvest after a Body weight at 62 d after calving was greater number of broiler growing fairly similar to initial BW, but was periods than in the present experislightly less (P=0.06) for cows fed ment (6, 7, 17, 18). The number of

Discussion

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clear. The lower acetate to propionate ratio for diets with litter vs the TABLE 2. Effects of dietary levels of deep-stacked broiler litter, ground S diet corresponds to similar findings sorghum grain, and bermudagrass hay in late-gestation on concentrations in other studies (10, 11, 14), probably of ammonia nitrogen and volatile fatty acids in ruminal fluid of beef cows. relating to lower dietary levels of a fermentable cell walls when broiler Treatment litter was substituted for grass hay and an expected lower ruminal pH Item Control S H M-S M-B SE Effectb with litter because of lower saliva flow (15). Without knowledge of Ammonia nitrogen, mg/dL 5.3 5.6 17.3 13.1 23.9 5.24 in actual volatile fatty acid absorption or splanchnic tissue metabolism, the Volatile fatty acids lower acetate to propionate ratio Total, mM/L 78.7 66.7 70.1 60.6 69.6 8.38 with than without broiler litter Molar percentage indicates greater capture of energy Acetate 77.7 77.1 71.2 72.2 72.0 0.86 S,IN from fermentation in microbial Propionate 13.5 13.4 17.1 16.0 15.9 0.81 s,IN Butyrate 6.6 7.4 9.6 8.9 9.3 0.40 S,IN digestion endproducts usable by the Isobutyrate 0.64 0.64 0.69 0.94 0.95 0.108 animal and potential favorable Valerate 0.77 0.59 0.50 0.65 0.75 0.125 changes in animal metabolism (e.g., Isovalerate 0.87 0.86 0.83 1.22 1.16 0.127 lN increased hepatic glucose synthesis or Acetate:propionate 5.8 5.8 4.2 4.5 4.6 0.28 S,IN decreased energy use for gluconeogenesis, sparing of amino acids from aControl = bermudagrass hay consumed ad libitum; S = 0.2% BW of sorghum grain, hepatic deamination for glucose 0.1% BW of soybean meal (DM basis), and ad libitum consumption of bermudagrass production) that presumably contribhay; H = 0.2% BW of bermudagrass hay (DM basis) and ad libitum consumption of a uted to similar cow BW change 90% broiler litter, 10% sorghum grain mixture (as fed basis); M-S = 0.2% BW of among Control, S, M-S, and M-B bermudagrass hay (DM basis) and ad libitum consumption of a 70% broiler litter, 30% sorghum grain mixture (as fed basis); M-B = 0.6% BW of bermudagrass hay (DM basis) treatments. It is often recommended to and ad libitum consumption of an 87% broiler litter, 13% sorghum grain mixture (as decrease the dietary level or cease fed basis). b S and s = supplementation (Control vs mean of other treatments; P < 0.05 and 0.10, feeding of broiler litter to gestating respectively); IN and in = dietary broiler litter inclusion (S vs mean of H, M-S, and M-B; cows at least 1 mo prior to calving P<0.05 and 0.10, respectively); l = dietary level of broiler litter (H vs mean of M-S and and in early lactation, as was done in M-B; P < 0.10). the present experiment, to avoid a milk fever-like condition noted in some instances (12). Low BW gain during the feeding period for H cows that a deficiency of nitrogenous broiler growing periods before compounds for ruminal microbes did relative to cows fed M-S and M-B cleanout seems to vary considerably diets was compensated for in the last not exist for the Control treatment. among regions and poultry compa43 d of gestation and first 62 d of Thus, effects of dietary broiler litter nies. For instance, in Northwest lactation, and neither calf birth inclusion would not appear due to Arkansas most houses are cleaned weight nor BW gain was affected by increased nitrogen consumption. after an entire year of production, level of broiler litter in litter-containThe lack of difference between with at least six 6-wk growing periods; whereas, in the area of Arkansas Control and S treatments in BW gain ing diets. Thus, in one respect this high dietary level of broiler litter did indicates that consumption of hay in which this experiment was connot impair performance, but rather alone was sufficient for normal fetal ducted, litter is generally removed may have caused greater forage development and cow maintenance from houses after one, or at the consumption later, evidently possible at this stage of gestation. Likewise, most, two growing periods. Therein this experiment because of adfore, results from this experiment are broiler litter was substituted for applicable to broiler litter as typically bermudagrass hay without impairing equate forage availability and quality. produced in many regions such as in cow BW gain or subsequent calf birth Feed consumption after the experiweight or BW gain, although cow BW ment was not monitored, although it this one but may not be so for litter would have been expected to have at 62 d post-calving was slightly less used in other areas. been greater for H vs M-S and M-B to with than without dietary broiler Similar hay intake and ruminal facilitate the compensation in cow litter. Reasons for this latter differfluid ammonia nitrogen concentraence, which corresponded to a similar BW gain. tion for Control and S treatments One reason why it was of interest reflect the moderate level of nitrogen but nonsignificant difference at the to vary levels of sorghum grain and end of the feeding period, are unin bermudagrass hay and suggest

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bermudagrass hay in this experiment involves rate of digesta flow through the gut. Patil et al. (8) suggested that the rate of flow of broiler litter digesta through the gut is slow because the small particle size of broiler litter at ingestion, high solubility, and dense nature of insolubles, which result in relatively low stimulation of saliva flow and ruminal motility. In accordance, a minimum of 5 to 10% of dietary roughage is commonly advised to prevent bloat (2, 12). However, Patil et al. (8) postulated that a greater dietary roughage level than this recommended minimum might be necessary for a sufficient rate of digesta flow through the gut to achieve high feed intake necessary to compensate for the high ash concentration and generally lower organic matter digestibility than of forages often replaced. In support, Rossi et al. (9) noted greater particulate passage rate in growing Holstein steers of broiler litter that was previously passed through a screen with a 1-mm aperture compared with retained litter particles. It was suggested that the larger particle size fraction of broiler litter stimulated greater saliva flow and ruminal motility than the small particle size fraction or whole, unseparated litter. Conversely, Rossi et al. (11) observed greater particulate passage rate in growing Holstein steers for broiler litter in litter-based diets than for hay of a Control diet, and that broiler litter passage rate was not influenced by dietary roughage levels of 0.3, 0.6, or 0.9% BW. Regardless of these conflicting results, because broiler litter and total DM intake were similar between M-S and M-B diets in the present experiment, effects of dietary roughage level on passage rate of digesta that impacted DM intake are not implicated. However, with the expected greater digestibility of sorghum grain than of broiler litter or bermudagrass hay and similar ruminal fluid volatile fatty acid molar percentages, reasons why BW gain was not greater for M-S than for M-B cows are unknown. Al-

Rossi et al.

though, with lower saliva flow expected for M-S vs M-B and the greater quantity of starch available for ruminal fermentation with M-S, it is possible that the anticipated lower ruminal pH for M-S elicited less extensive ruminal fiber digestion than for M-B. Lower feed intake for H vs M-S and M-B treatments seemed responsible for the difference in BW gain, although factors eliciting the intake difference cannot be conclusively discerned from these data. However, as mentioned before the lack of difference in total DM intake between M-S and M-B indicates that the higher level of roughage for the M-B diet was not stimulatory to feed intake, and that conceivable differences in palatability of the broiler litter-sorghum grain mixture did not influence total feed intake. Furthermore, with similar consumption of hay for H and M-S and of sorghum grain for H and M-B, it is not likely that ruminal pH for H was lower than that for M-S or M-B.

Summary These results reflect the potential for efficient use of broiler litter in late-gestation beef cow diets as a forage substitute to potentially minimize feed costs, conserve limited supplies of other feed resources, and(or) increase the number of cattle fed. Broiler litter consumed ad libitum in a mixture with 10% sorghum grain (as fed basis) with a relatively low quantity of bermudagrass hay (0.2% BW; DM basis) may yield lower BW gain during the time of feed consumption than with either a higher quantity of bermudagrass hay (e.g., 0.6% BW; DM basis) or a higher percentage of sorghum grain in the mixture (e.g., 30%). However, it should be noted that broiler litter used in this experiment was harvested after two broiler growing periods and, thus, should be considered low to moderate in quality. Similar results might not occur with higher quality litter, such as that harvested after 1 yr of produc-

tion or after at least six broiler growing periods. Also, even though BW gain during the 9-wk feeding period in late-gestation was less for the high feeding level of broiler litter compared with lower levels, perhaps because of adequate digestible nutrient intake in the last 43 d of gestation and first 62 d of lactation, no marked deleterious effects on calf birth weight or BW gain or in subsequent cow BW occurred. With broiler litter at 60 to 70% of total DM intake, different proportions of the remaining portion of the diet composed of both roughage and cereal grain may have little or no impact on cow or calf performance.

Literature Cited 1. AOAC. 1984. Official Methods of Analysis. (14th Ed.). Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, DC. 2. Barton, T. L. 1990. Use of poultry litter as a feed and fertilizer. In KOMA Beef Cattle Conference. p 10. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Little Rock, AR. 3. Broderick, G. A., and J. H. Kang. 1980. Automated simultaneous determination of ammonia and total amino acids in ruminal fluid and in vitro media. J. Dairy Sci. 63:64. 4. Fontenot, J. P. 1990. Recycling animal waste by feeding to enhance environmental quality. In Animal Agriculture for the 90’s. p 1. American Feed Industry Association, Arlington, VA. 5. Goetsch, A. L., and M. L. Galyean. 1983. Influence of frequency of feeding on passage of fluid and particulate markers and rumen fermentation in steers fed a concentrate diet. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 63:27. 6. Mandebvu, P., A. L. Goetsch, and D. W. Kellogg. 1996. Effects of alkaline hydrogen peroxide treatment of broiler litter and various roughage sources before deep-stacking on nutrient composition, digestibility and recovery. J. Appl. Anim. Res. 8:145. 7. Park, K. K., A. L. Goetsch, A. R. Patil, B. Kouakou, D. L. Galloway, Sr., and Z. B. Johnson. 1997. Addition of carbonaceous feedstuffs to broiler litter before deep-stacking. Biores. Technol. (In press). 8. Patil, A. R., A. L. Goetsch, B. Kouakou, K. K. Park, D. L. Galloway, Sr., and Z. B. Johnson.

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1995. Nutritive value of deep-stacked and composted broiler litters for growing cattle. Prof. Anim. Sci. 11:100. 9. Rossi, J. E., A. L. Goetsch, D. L. Galloway, Sr., A. R. Patil, and Z. S. Wang. 1996. Intake and digestion by steers consuming different particle size fractions of broiler litter. J. Anim. Sci. 74(Suppl. 1):267 (Abs.). 10. Rossi, J. E., A. L. Goetsch, K. K. Park, A. R. Patil, D. L. Galloway, Sr., B. Kouakou, and Z. S. Wang. 1996. Effects of dietary level of broiler litter on net flux of nutrients across splanchnic tissues in sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 74(Suppl. 1):19 (Abs.). 11. Rossi, J. E., A. L. Goetsch, A. R. Patil, B. Kouakou, K. K. Park, Z. S. Wang, D. L. Galloway, Sr., and Z. B. Johnson. 1996.

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