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Utilization of Alfalfa Hay and Alfalfa Silage. 2. Protein Sources in Ensiled Corn Stover Diets¹

University of Nebraska Northeast Center, Concord 68728

ABSTRACT

Two hundred ninety-one steers were randomly allotted to four diet treatments in which corn silage or ensiled corn stover was fed as an energy source and alfalfa hay or alfalfa silage was fed as a protein source. Performance of steers fed different protein sources in corn silage diets was similar. However, for steers fed ensiled corn stover, daily gains (.28 kg) of steers fed alfalfa hay were nearly double gains (.15 kg) of steers fed alfalfa silage as the protein source. Efficiencies (.036 vs. .024 kg gain/kg feed) were also improved for steers fed alfalfa hay. Ensiled alfalfa had the greater initial (0 h) soluble nitrogen (66.2 vs. 39.3% of total nitrogen) but a much slower rate of solubilization of residual nitrogen (total nitrogen minus initial soluble nitrogen and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen) than alfalfa hay. Although total quantity of ruminally degradable protein would be greater for alfalfa silage than for alfalfa hay, the amount and rate of release of nitrogenous constituents (i.e., peptides, amino acids, and ammonia) from alfalfa silage appeared to be less favorable for microbial digestion of ensiled corn stover.

¹ Journal Paper Number 7852, University of Nebraska Agricultural Research Division.

² Department of Animal Science.