Effect of field pea level on intake, digestion, microbial efficiency, ruminal fermentation, and in situ disappearance in beef steers fed growing diets

Abstract

Effects of increasing level of field pea (variety: Profi) on intake, digestion, microbial efficiency, and ruminal fermentation were evaluated in beef steers fed growing diets. Four ruminally and duodenally cannulated crossbred beef steers (367+/-48 kg initial BW) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square. The control diet consisted of 50% corn, 23% corn silage, 23% alfalfa hay, and 4% supplement (DM basis). Treatments were field pea replacing corn at 0, 33, 67, or 100%. Diets were formulated to contain a minimum of 12% CP, 0.62% Ca, 0.3% P, and 0.8% K (DM basis). Each period was 14 d long. Steers were adapted to the diets for 9 d. On d 10 to 14, intakes were measured. Field pea was incubated in situ, beginning on d 10, for 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 h. Bags were inserted in reverse order, and all bags were removed at 0 h. Ruminal fluid was collected and pH recorded at -2, 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h after feeding on d 13. Duodenal samples were taken for three consecutive days beginning on d 10 in a manner that allowed for a collection to take place every other hour over a 24-h period. Linear, quadratic, and cubic contrasts were used to compare treatments. There were no differences in DMI (12.46 kg/d, 3.16% BW; P > 0.46). Ruminal dry matter fill (P = 0.02) and mean ruminal pH (P = 0.009) decreased linearly with increasing field pea level. Ruminal ammonia-N (P < 0.001) and total VFA concentrations (P = 0.01) increased linearly with increasing field pea level. Total-tract disappearance of OM (P = 0.03), N (P = 0.01), NDF (P = 0.02), and ADF (P = 0.05) increased linearly with an increasing field pea level. There were no differences in total-tract disappearance of starch (P = 0.35). True ruminal N disappearance increased linearly (P < 0.001) with increasing field pea level. There were no differences in ruminal disappearance of OM (P = 0.79), starch (P = 0.77), NDF (P = 0.21), or ADF (P = 0.77). Treatment did not affect microbial efficiency (P = 0.27). Field pea is a highly digestible, nutrient-dense legume grain that ferments rapidly in the rumen. Because of their relatively high level of protein, including field peas in growing diets will decrease the need for protein supplementation. Based on these data, it seems that field pea is a suitable substitute for corn in growing diets.

Effect of the dietary level of cull pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) on ruminal fermentation, kinetics, and digestibility of hair lambs

“…Because of the greater DMI of the control group, a greater ruminal VFA concentration was expected in this group; however, DMI did not affect the total VFA concentration. Similar results were found in the study of Reed et al (2004), in which ruminal VFA concentration was not affected by the substitution of corn grain with field peas. Soto-Navarro et al (2004) did not report differences on fermentative parameters when field pea levels increased.…”

“…In another study, in which different legume grains were included in diets of feedlot beef cattle, it was reported that the presence of these ingredients decreased ruminal VFA concentration (Gilbery et al, 2007). Reed et al (2004), however, reported that inclusion of field peas linearly decrease acetate molar proportion and do not have an effect on propionate and butyrate molar proportions. Contrary to the results presented in the present study, Gilbery et al (2007) found that inclusion of legume grains decrease acetate concentration.…”

Evaluation of performance and metabolism of dairy cows fed pea seeds (&lt;i&gt;Pisum sativum&lt;/i&gt;) with different anti-nutritional content

“…No differences in feed intake were observed between individual experimental groups or between experimental groups and control group. VALENTINE and BARTSCH (1987) and MESSMAN et al (1992) reported a positive effect of peas on the overall intake of dry mass in dairy cows; similar results were found by REED et al (2004) in bulls. LOSAND et al (2003) recommend feeding no more than 4,0 kg of peas per day and one dairy cow.…”

Effects of total replacement of soybean meal and corn on ruminal fermentation, volatile fatty acids, protozoa concentration, and gas production

“…The present results may be explained by the high digestibility of OM of oat hay with TFB concentrate rumen conditions and was probably due not only to faba bean seeds but also to the high level of inclusion of triticale (71 % DM) in the concentrate (Klassen and Hill, 1971). Reed et al (2004) observed that the replacement of corn with field pea in concentrate did not affect starch digestibility. The estimated gas production from the immediately soluble fraction (a) was similar to that reported by Ahmed and El-Hag (2004), who found a similar negative value with 14 Sudanese plant species incubated in the rumen of ewes and attribute it to the lag phase during which microorganisms attach and colonize food particles before their degradation.…”