<b>Multiple supplements containing spineless cactus enriched with urea forcattle

Abstract

ABSTRACT. This study was realized to evaluate the effect of the 'multiple supplements' containing spineless cactus enriched with urea (0, 1, 2 and 3% on dry matter basis -DM) as a replacement to a traditional supplement (control) on ruminal parameters and microbial protein synthesis in crossbred steers. Five steers(½ Holstein x Zebu) can nulated in the rumen, with an average initial body weight of 240 ± 22.1 kg were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square. A quadratic effect was observed for DM intake and N retention, with maximum values of 6.97 kg d of N-NH 3 were recorded in animals fed spineless cactus enriched with 1, 2, and 3% of urea. There was a quadratic effect on ruminal pH, with a value of 6.45 at 4.08 hours after feeding. Microbial synthesis efficiency of 103 g CPkg -1TDN was obtained with the inclusion of 1.6% urea. Multiple supplements containing spineless cactus enriched with 1.6 up to 1.8% urea in replacement of a traditional supplement is recommended for cattle.

Urea and Tannin in multiple supplements: Ingestive behavior of grazing beef cattle

“…Additives are substances added to the diet in order to intensify, preserve or even modify its properties, as long as it does not affect the nutritional value of the food. Secondary plant compounds constitute natural possibilities for modifying ruminal fermentation (Costa et al, 2017;Monteschio et al, 2017;Monteschio et al, 2019;Ornaghi et al, 2017). Several plants contain secondary compounds that protect them from fungi, bacteria, herbivores and insects attacks.…”