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A Comparison of Feeding Ground Corncobs and a Liquid Urea-Molasses-Mineral Mix with and Without Ethyl Alcohol to Yearling Dairy Heifers^{1, 2,}

Department of Dairy Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington

ABSTRACT

Twenty dairy heifers, ten Holsteins and ten Jerseys, were divided into two equal groups and were individually fed ad libitum but separately a ration of ground corncobs and a liquid urea-molasses mix with and without ethyl alcohol during a 140-day trial. Group A received the mix without ethyl alcohol, and Group M received the mix with ethyl alcohol. One Jersey heifer was continued on each ration for an additional 438 days. During the 140-day trial the average daily gains were 0.80 and 0.73 lb. for Groups A and M, respectively. This difference was not statistically significant. A large variation in growth rates of the heifers existed in both groups. Groups A and M consumed 15.0 and 14.3 lb. of corncobs and 4.8 and 5.5 lb. of liquid mix per animal per day, respectively. Water consumption was similar for both groups, whether offered water continuously or once a day. Blood urea and plasma NPN values were significantly higher for Group M. Rumen volatile fatty acid values were similar and normal for both groups, indicating normal rumen fermentation. Animals were able to grow, mature, and produce milk on rations in which essentially all of the digestible protein equivalent was supplied by urea without any apparent toxic effect.

¹ The investigation reported in this paper is in connection with a project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published by permission of the Director.

² This work supported in part by a grant in aid from Feed Service Corp., Crete, Nebraska.

³ Present address: Department of Animal Husbandry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.