Abstract
The net energy of barley straw and alfalfa hay have been determined with beef cattle using a comparative slaughter technique. The net energy for the straw and alfalfa used in the study was 23.0 and 44.4 megcal. per 100 lb. respectively. Feeding straw as half the roughage resulted in a lowered rate of gain, lowered energy content of the gain, reduced feed intake, caused a greater reticulo-rumen fill and a lowered dressing percent. The net energy of an increment of concentrate consisting of barley, beet pulp and cottonseed meal was 55.7 megcal. per 100 lb. Copyright © . .