Effects of Citrus Pulp in High Urea Rations for Steers

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Abstract
Effects of pelleted and conventional citrus pulp as a replacement for corn-soybean meal were tested in rations with 5% urea and 33.33% sugarcane bagasse for fistulated steers. All rations were low in readily fermented carbohydrates other than those of corn or citrus pulp. Evaluation criteria were concentrations of urea in blood and of pH, ammonia, and volatile fatty acids of rumen fluid. Citrus pulp for diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 was 0, 19, 38 and 55%. Rumen fluid and blood were sampled 1 h before and 2, 4, 7 and 12 h after feed was placed directly into the rumen. No differences between pelleted and conventional pulp or among time trials were significant except that for both forms rumen ammonia was lower with the 2 highest percents of citrus pulp. Addition of citrus pulp reduced rumen pH (6.85, 6.65, 6.61, 6.51, respectively). Blood urea and rumen ammonia also decreased; the acetic to propionic ratio was higher. Butyric acid changed only with time. Total volatile fatty acid [VFA] concentrations were lowest for diet 1 (P < .01) and diet 2 produced lower rumen VFA then 3 or 4 (P < .05).