Effect of Newsprint on Ration Palatability and Ruminoreticular Parameters of Beef Steers

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Abstract
Three experiments were conducted to determine the basis for the apparent rejection by beef steers of rations containing moderate levels of newsprint. In a preference study in which rations containing 24% newsprint with and without ink were fed cafeteria style, the difference in consumption of the rations was not significant although there was a tendency for steers to select the ration containing non-script newsprint. In a palatability study total feed intake was nearly the same whether the control ration was fed intraruminally at approximately 50% of total daily intake and a ration containing 24% newsprint was fed ad libitum or vice versa. This amount of newsprint in the ration did not make the feed unpalatable to an extent that digestible energy intake was impaired. However, 24% newsprint in the total diet apparently impaired intake because of ruminoreticular fill. Physical parameters of ruminoreticular contents including digesta weight and volume were measured in a third experiment and these were not different for newsprint fed steers compared to steers fed the natural forage ration. Both digestible energy intake and the turnover rate of dry ruminal contents tended to be lower when the newsprint containing ration was fed. Copyright © 1972. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1972 by American Society of Animal Science

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