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The Effect of Fab and Lecithin on the Digestibility of an All-Hay Ration

Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, Blacksburg

ABSTRACT

The successful use of certain of the common household detergents in the prevention of bloat in cattle has recently been reported (1, 2). Some evidence has also been obtained which indicates that soybean lecithin may be effective in reducing the incidence of bloat (3). The latter product would seem to hold the most promise as a bloat preventative since it is readily eaten by livestock, whereas the detergents are unpalatable.

It is conceivable that these products, although effective in preventing bloat, may adversely affect the microorganisms of the reticulo-rumen and thus lower the digestibility of the feed. The purpose of the work reported here was to determine the effect of orally administered Fab and purified soybean lecithin on the dry matter digestibility of the ration.

Six Holstein heifers weighing from 450 to 660 lb. each were fed an alfalfa-oat hay mixture as the basal ration. The mixture was predominantly oats and was fed twice daily in amounts that would result in a minimum of refused feed.