A preliminary study of protein requirements of African cattle

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Abstract
1. A preliminary study of the protein requirements of young steers of two breeds of African cattle has been described. These requirements were assessed by studying body weight changes of groups of animals fed for 140 days on rations varying in protein content.2. There were only small differences between the breeds in their voluntary food intake while appetite seemed to be linearly related to protein content.3. The two breeds were equally efficient in food and protein utilization.4. Live-weight gain improved significantly as the protein content of the ration increased from 6 to 10%, but a further increase to 14% produced only a small subsequent improvement in growth.5. Maintenance of weight was estimated to occur at a digestible protein intake of only 48% of that recommended by Brody (1945), while the required digestible protein for one pound daily gain was in agreement with the National Research Council (1950) standard.