Utilization of Cattle Excrement for Growth and Maintenace of Beef Cattle

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Abstract
Excrement produced by cattle fed high energy diets was studied in the unaltered and high fiber forms as a reconstitution media and as a feed ingredient in feeding and digestion experiments with cattle. Excrement was found to be slightly more effective than water as a reconstitution media for sorghum grain if excrement to grain ratios did not exceed 1:1.6 (w/w). Grain dry matter required per kg of steer gain for water and excrement reconstituted grain was 10.6% and 12.6% less (P<.10), respectively, than controls. Steers fed excrement reconstituted grain had higher dressing percentages (P<.10), and their carcasses tended to contain more fat than controls. Crude protein digestibility of excrement and water reconstituted grain was improved 9.2% (P<.10) over dry grain. Particle size of all reconstituted grains was smaller (P<.05) than for dry grain. Normal reconstitution was observed with a 1: 2.5 high fiber excrement to grain ratio (w/w). High fiber excrement was identified as a useful feed ingredient for mature cows. Cow weight gains in excess of 1 kg per day were observed with feed mixtures containing from 18 to 50% high fiber excrement dry matter. Body weight maintenance was achieved for cows when 68.6% of their feed dry matter intake was high fiber excrement. Copyright © 1977. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1977 by American Society of Animal Science.