In Vitro Studies of Dried Alfalfa and Complementary Effects of Dehydrated Alfalfa and Urea in Ruminant Rations2

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Abstract
Alfalfa which was oven-dried at temperatures greater than 60 C produced less (P<.05) ammonia in vitro in 4 hr than soybean meal. Alfalfa which was freeze-dried or oven-dried at temperatures of less than 60 C produced slightly, although not significantly, less ammonia in vitro in 4 hr than soybean meal. A lamb balance trial was conducted to evaluate dehydrated alfalfa (dehy) or a dehy-urea combination in rations containing 60% wheat straw. Lambs fed urea retained less (P<.05) nitrogen than lambs fed rations that contained soybean meal, dehy-urea or dehy. Lambs fed dehy or dehy-urea retained as much nitrogen as lambs fed soybean meal (1.17 and 1.06 m 1.05g/day). A steer growth trial was conducted to evaluate dehy and urea as nitrogen supplements in 50% corn cob rations. Steers fed dehy-urea combinations required less (P<.05) feed per unit gain than steers fed urea (7.01 vs 8.12) and no more (P<.05) feed per unit gain than steers fed soybean meal. Copyright © 1978. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1978 by American Society of Animal Science.