J. E. Rossi
S. C. Loerch 1
The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences
Three experiments were conducted to evaluate poultry manure as a crude protein and mineral supplement in high concentrate limit-fed diets fed to gestating and lactating beef cows and heifers. Experiment 1 used 67 gestating beef cows. No differences (P > 0.10) in performance were observed between cows provided supplemental crude protein and minerals from either poultry manure or a soybean meal-based supplement. Feed costs per day were lower for cows supplemented with poultry manure ($0.82) than the supplement ($1.11), and were much lower than an all hay diet ($1.46). Experiment 2 used 26 gestating beef heifers. No differences (P > 0.10) in performance were observed between heifers consuming a low poultry manure diet (10.2 lb/d corn and 2.5 lb/d poultry manure) or a high poultry manure diet (6.9 lb/d corn and 7.0 lb/d poultry manure). Feed costs per day were lower for the high poultry manure treatment ($0.61 versus $0.73 for high and low poultry manure treatments, respectively). Experiment 3 used 61 beef cows and 23 beef heifers in late gestation. Animals consuming the poultry manure diet lost more weight during both the gestation (P < 0.10) and lactation periods (P < 0.05). Overall body condition score change was similar among treatments (P = 0.31). Feed costs per day were lower for the poultry manure treatment ($0.82) than the supplement treatment ($1.11). Poultry manure was a much more economical source of supplemental crude protein and minerals than the supplement in Experiments 1 and 3. Although cows and heifers consuming the poultry manure diet lost more weight in Experiment 3, additional corn could be fed to the poultry manure treatment to equalize energy intake, resulting in a diet that would remain more economical than the supplement treatment.
1 For more information, contact at The Ohio State University, Ohio
Agricultural Research and Development Center, 114 Gerlaugh Hall, 1680 Madison
Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691; 330-263-3903, e-mail: loerch.1@osu.edu.