Effect of roughage quality and fermentable energy/protein on intake, performance and nitrogen excretion in cattle fed export diets

Accioly, J.M., Tudor, G., Taylor, E.G., White, C.L., Costa, N.D., Pluske, J.R. and Pethick, D.W. (2002) Effect of roughage quality and fermentable energy/protein on intake, performance and nitrogen excretion in cattle fed export diets. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 26 (11). S250.

Abstract

High levels of ammonia emissions have been recorded on board vessels carrying live cattle for export from Australia to the Middle East (1). Ammonia emission can be decreased by manipulating N intake (2). The objective of this study was to investigate the best combination of roughage source (straw vs hay), barley, level of protein inclusion (18% vs 30%) and type of protein supplement (lupins vs canola meal) to provide an alternative low-N residue diet to the diets currently used in the trade, while preserving feed intake and liveweight gain.