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

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Abstract
Forty Guernsey heifers were utilized in multiple-feeding studies with resulting data showing significantly greater (14.4%) body weight gain in heifers fed six times (6X) than those fed twice (2X) daily. No significant difference was observed in wither heights when fed 2X or 6X daily or when the primary 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 6X feeding as compared to 2X daily feeding. No statistical difference in growth and feed efficiency was observed among heifers fed protein and urea nitrogen when the urea nitrogen ration was fed 6X 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 2X daily.