<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap">xt7h445hcc9c https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7h445hcc9c/data/mets.xml   Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. 1978 journals 233 English Lexington : Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Kentucky Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Progress report (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n.233 text Progress report (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n.233 1978 2014 true xt7h445hcc9c section xt7h445hcc9c Proceedrngs
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May 25, 1978
PROGRESS REPORT zzz
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY • COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURAL ExpEm¤v¤ENT STATION
DEPARTMENT OF ANTMAT. SCIENCES • LEXINGTON

 FOREWORD
Leaders in the sheep industry are optimistic about the contributions of lamb and wool ,
production to Kentucky’s growing agricultural industry.
Wool price trends have turned upward after several years of extremely tough competi- `
tion from synthetic fibers. With continued pressures on energy supplies and the increased
costs of fossil fuels, there is reason to believe that the natural fibers, including wool, pro-
duced from renewable resources will be in a more competitive position in the future and
should return greater profits to the wool producers.
Sheep fit well into an overall land utilization program and, particularly, with the forage
production potential of Kentucky farms. Choice slaughter lambs can be produced on the
legume-grass mixture adaptable to our soils, which is an efficient use of all land classes.
University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Research and Extension Specialists are _
cooperating with producers to improve the productivity and marketing of wool and lambs.
Tele-o-auction systems of marketing finished lambs have recently been implemented in the .
state. Research efforts include cross-breeding with Finnsheep to increase ewe productivity
and combine this increased ewe productivity with meat-type breeds to produce heavier
lambs. Marketing lambs at heavier weights, 130 to 140 lb rather than the traditional 90 to
100 lb, also offers opportunities for greater productivity per ewe kept or per acre of land.
This report includes brief reports on some of the current research activities and man-
agement practices, and is presented for the benefit of Kentucky sheep producers.
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2

 CONTENTS
Page
Foreword .............................. 2
Growth of Newborn Lambs Treated with Lacto-Cilltm Feed Fortifier ....... 5
Performance of Early-weaned Lambs Fed Three Protein Levels and .
Slaughtered at Three Weights ..................... 7
Monensin-Ralgro Interaction in Early-weaned Lambs .............. 9
' Monensin and Different Dietary Protein Levels for Lambs ............ 10
. Increasing Nutrient Utilization in Lambs Fed Low Quality Roughage ........ 12
Sulfur Supplementation to Kentucky 31 Fescue Fed to Lambs .......... 14
Vitamin D and Magnesium Interaction in Growing Lambs ............ 15
Lipid Coating A Supplemental Amino Acid for Sheep ............. 18
Protein Levels for Late Lambs ...................... 19
Performance of Ewes Grazing Boone Orchardgrass, Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue
` and Kenhy Tall Fescue at Different Intensities .............. 20
Management Procedures for Artificial Rearing and Profiting from the
Orphan Lamb ........................... 22
Coccidiosis in Sheep .......................... 23
Pregnancy Toxemia .......................... 24
White Muscle Disease .......................... 25 `
Weed Control in Alfalfa and Forage Crops .................. 26
  `

 
 Sheeprofit Day: May 25, 1978 —- Proceedings
GROWTH OF N EWBORN LAMBS TREATED WITH LACTO-CILLtm FEED FORTIFIER1
D. G. Ely and W. P. Deweese
During the winter of 1975-76, many lambs born to ewes in the University of Kentucky flock
experienced severe scouring during the first 48 hours after birth, of which much resulted from _
extensive E. coli microorganism buildup in the intestinal tract. Oral administration of the micro-
organism Lactobacillus acidophilus (Lacto-Cilltm) has been shown to reduce scours in newborn calves
and lambs by producing a more "balanced" intestinal microflora population, thus preventing the
one-sided buildup of E. coli. This study was initiated to determine if the incidence of lamb scours
encountered in the previous year could be reduced and, if so, how growth of lambs from birth to 28
days was affected when Lacto-Cilltm was administered.
All lambs used in the study were born between jan. 1 and Feb. 20, 1977. All ewes received a
i daily ration of 0.68 kg alfalfa hay and 0.68 kg shelled corn plus corn silage and trace mineral
‘ salt ad libitum. Each lamb was identified and weighed within 6 hours following birth and then,
they received one of the following treatments: (1) no Lacto-Cilltm (control); (2) a 2-cc dose of
Lacto-Cilltm when birth weight was taken; or (3) a 2-cc dose of Lacto—Cilltm when birth weight was
taken plus an additional 2-cc dose approximately 24 hours later. Identification of any lambs showing
scours during the first 7 days after birth was recorded. Individual lamb weights were also taken at 7
and/or 28 days of age. All lambs received a 90% ground corn, 10% soybean meal and 1% aureomycin
creep feed from birth to 28 days. ‘
Table 1 shows the growth of twin Hampshire lambs treated with Lacto—Cilltm. All ewes and
lambs were housed in one pen regardless of treatment administered to the lamb. Although daily gains
Table 1.—Gr0wth of Twin Hampshire Lambs Treated with Lacto-Cilltm
_ Treatment
Item Control 1 2
No. of lambs 14 14 11
Av. birth wt., kg 4.5 4.6 4.4
28-day wt., kg 11.0 11.3 11.2
Total gain, birth to 28 days, kg 6.5 6.7 6.8
* ADG, birth to 28 days, g 232 239 253
Lambs with scours, % 0 0 0 ,
were slightly greater in treatments 1 and 2, differences were not statistically significant. No incidence
of scours was found in any of the lambs. Table 2 shows growth of twin Polled Dorset lambs. All ewes
e and lambs were housed in one pen regardless of treatment administered to the lamb. As was the case
with the Hampshires, daily gains to 28 days favored the administration of Lacto-Cilltm. No evidence
of scours was found.
1Product provided by Creative Research Laboratories, Fremont, Neb. 68025.
5

 Table 2.-Growth of Twin Pulled Dorset Lambs 'I`reated with Lacto-Cilltm
 
Treatment
Item Control 1 2
N0. of lambs 10 10 8 i
Av. birth wt., kg 3.5 3.8 3.9
28-day wt., kg 8.0 9.6 9.4 - 
Total gain, birth to 28 days, kg 4.5 5.8 5.5
ADG, birth to 28 days, g 161 207 196 s
Lambs with scours, % 0 0 0
 
Both single and twin crossbred lambs were available for data summarization. In contrast to the I
Hampshires and Dorsets, lambs receiving the different Lacto-Cilltm treatments were housed with their
dams in different pens so there were two replicate pens of each treatment. Both singles and twins were
in each pen. Growth of twins is summarized in Table 3. No treatment differences were found for daily
Table 3.-—Growth of Twin, 3/4 Suffolk 1/4 Rambouillet Lambs Treated with f
Lam-cautm .
 
 
Treatment
Item Control 1 2
No. of lambs 28 38 47 A
Av. birth wt., kg 4.9 4.4 4.6
Wt. at 7 days of age, kg 6.6 6.1 6.4
Total gain, birth to 7 days, kg 1.7 1.7 1.8
ADG, birth to 7 days, g 243 243 257
Wt. at 28 days of age, kg 11.7 10.9 10.6 .
Total gain, 7 to 28 days, kg 5.0 4.8 4.2
ADG, 7 to 28 days, g 238 229 200
Lambs with scours, % 7.1 21.1 10.6
 
gain from birth to 7 days. However, in contrast to the findings for the twin Hampshires (Table 1) and
Dorsets (Table 2), control and treatment 1 lambs gained fastest from 7 to 28 days. Also, the incidence .
of scours was lowest in the control group. The growth of single, crossbred lambs is presented in Table
4. There was a trend for control lambs to perform equal to or superior to those treated with Lacto- A I
Cilltm. However, the incidence of scours was reduced with Lacto-Cilltm. The effect of Lacto-Cilltm in ‘
reducing scours may be more pronounced in singles than in twins because of the greater milk con-
sumption per lamb.
In general, the incidence of scours in the total research flock was not as severe during this A
lambing season as in previous ones. Whether this effect was a result of the severely cold winter .
encountered, Lacto-Cilltm treatment or both is difficult to determine. Greater incidence of scours
normally occurs under milder temperature conditions. Nevertheless, the administration of the Lacto-
baccillus acidophilus organism appears to offer some merit in reducing scours in newborn lambs.
6

 Table 4.—Growt.h of Single, 3/4 Suffolk 1/4 Rambouillet Lambs Treated with
Lacto-Cilltm
Treatment
Item' Control 1 2
` No. of lambs 19 16 18
, Av. birth wt., kg 5.8 4.9 5.1
Wt. at 7 days of age, kg 7.9 7.0 7.0
Total gain, birth to 7 days, kg 2.1 2.1 1.9 _
ADG, birth to 7 days, g 300 300 271
Wt. at 28 days of age, kg 14.6 12.5 13.5
Total gain, 7 to 28 days, kg 6.7 5.5 6.4
ADG, 7 to 28 days, g 319 262 305
Lambs with scours, % 21.1 18.8 5.6
_ PERFORMANCE OF EARLY-WEANED LAMBS FED THREE PROTEIN
LEVELS AND SLAUGHTERED AT THREE WEIGHTS
D. G. Ely, W. P. Deweese,_]. D. Kemp and F. A. Thrift
Many lambs are weaned from their dams at approximately 2 months of age at a weight of 18 kg.
These lambs are then fed on different dietary regimes to slaughter at 45 kg at approximately 5 months ‘
of age. Some packers today, however, are preferring lambs weighing more than 45 kg. Therefore, this
study was conducted to determine the effects of post-weaning dietary protein levels on live animal
performance and carcass characteristics of lambs weaned at 18 kg and slaughtered at different weights.
Seventy—two, 1/2 Hampshire 1/4 Suffolk 1/4 Rambouillet wether lambs were weaned at 18.2 kg
and allotted to 12 pens of 6 lambs each. All lambs received a self-fed diet of 15% crude protein from
’ 18.2 to 36.4 kg when one lamb from each pen was slaughtered. The remaining 60 lambs, at 36.4 kg, in
the same pens, then received a self-fed diet of 9, 12 or 15% protein until slaughter as individual lambs
weighing 45.5 or 53.1 kg. Composition of the diets is shown in Table 1.
Table 1.—Ingredient Composition of Diets Fed to Lambs (Percent)
` Protein Level, %
` Ingredient 9 12 15 ,
Ground com 80.3 72.2 63.3
Ground alfalfa hay 10.0 10.0 10.0
Soybean meal (44% CP) 2.7 10.8 19.7
Liquid cane molasses 5.0 5.0 5.0
Dicalcium phosphate 1.0 1.0 1.0
Trace mineral salt 1.0 1.0 1.0
Aureomycin* + + +
*4.5 kg (2 g activity/0.45 kg) added to each 909-kg dict.
_ Daily gains, feed intakes and feed efficiencies are summarized in Table 2. Because all lambs I
received the 15% protein diet from 18.2 kg (weaning) to 36.4 kg, no comparisons could be made for
7

 this weight interval for the 9 and 12% protein diets. The younger and smaller lambs consuming the 12
and 15% protein diets gained faster than the lambs fed the 9% protein diet. Feed consumption was not
directly related to dietary protein levels, although feed intake was generally higher when the 15% diet
was fed. Feed/gain was most efficient when the higher protein diets were fed to lighter weight lambs.
Based on live animal performance, after early-weaned lambs are fed a 15% protein diet to 36.4 kg,
they should receive a lower dietary level to either 45.5 or 53.1 kg, and in this study the 12% diet
appeared Optimum. _
Table 2.-Performance of Lambs Fed 9, 12 and 15% Protein Diets to
Different Weights A
Protein Level, %
Lamb Weight 9 12 15 , » .
18.2 to 36.4 kg
ADG, kg · - 0.35
Daily FI, kg - - 1.32
F/G — - 3.91
36.5 to 45.5 kg
ADG, kg 0.23 0.26 0.24 _
Daily FI, kg 1.57 1.57 1.75
F/G 7.29 6.08 6.90
45.6 to 53.1 kg
ADG, kg 0.17 0.21 0.20 ·
Daily FI, kg 1.62 1.53 1.62
F/G 9.34 8.07 8.34
Table 3 shows the relationship of dietary protein level and slaughter weight on carcass character-
istics. Hcavicr lambs at slaughter had smaller longissimus muscle area/22 kg carcass weight than lighter
lambs. This measurement is an indirect measure of carcass muscling and shows that, as slaughter
Table 3.—Carcass Characteristics of Lambs Fed 9, 12 and 15% "
Protein Diets to Different Slaughter Weights
Dietary Level, %
Slaughter Weight 9 12 15 _
36.4 kg* ' _
LMA/22.7 kg carcass, cm2 — - 15.6
BF/22.7 kg carcass, mm - - 4.1
K 8c P fat, % of carcass - · 2.2
45.5 kg _
LMA/22.7 kg carcass, cm2 14.6 14.3 14.4
BF/22.7 kg carcass, mm 7.0 7.0 6.9  
K Se P fat, % of carcass 3.0 2.7 2.6
53.1 kg
LMA/22.7 kg carcass, cm2 12.7 12.9 12.5 ·
BF/22.7 kg carcass, mm 7.2 8.4 8.4
K 8c P fat, % of carcass 4.1 3.1 3.5
"Lm1_g1'sx1`nzz4s muscle area (LMA), backfat (BF), and kidney and pelvic fat
(K Se P fat), respectively.
8

 weight increases, longissimus area per unit of carcass decreases. Dietary protein did not affect this
measurement. As slaughter weight increased, backfat increased and backfat tended to be greater in
lambs fed 12 and 15% protein diets. However, kidney and pelvic fat was greatest when the 9% protein
. diet was fed. Although not shown in the table, percentages of leg, loin, rack and shoulder were not
affected by dietary protein level or slaughter weight.
It is concluded that the most efficient gain and most desirable carcass characteristics were
- produced when early-weaned lambs were fed a 15% protein diet to 36.4 kg and a 12% protein diet
from 36.4 kg to slaughter weights of either 45.5 or 53.1 kg.
MONENSIN-RALGRO INTERACTION IN EARLY-WEANED LAMBS
B. P. Glenn, D. G. Ely and W. P. Deweese
MONENSIN IN THE FEEDLOT
_ Monensin (trade name Rumensin®) is a feed additive approved for use in beef cattle diets and has
been used throughout the U.S. in feedlots. With small additions of monensin (generally 30 g/ton of
diet) to the diet, feed utilization by growing cattle is improved. This improvement in feed efficiency is
concluded as monensin’s biggest advantage.
MONENSIN FOR SHEEP
Lambs fed high-concentrate diets in the feedlot also benefit from monensin. Kentucky data
reported at Sheeprofit Day—1977 indicated a 7.2% improvement in feed efficiency for lambs when
monensin was added at the level of 10g/ton of diet. The daily gains generally remained the same with .
or without monensin, while feed intake was reduced 9.1%. The carcass characteristics were not affected
 _ by monensin treatment.
Ralgro is also a growth stimulant for both lambs and steers. This study was conducted to
determine whether using both monensin and Ralgro would produce an additive effect on performance
in lambs.
MONENSIN-RALGRO INTERACTION
_ Pr0cedure—Thirty-two early-weaned Suffolk x (Suffolk x Rambouillet) lambs averaging 24.6 kg
were allotted to four treatment groups: (1) Control (C); (2) 16.5 mg monensin per kg of feed (M); (3)
one 12-mg Ralgro(R) implant per lamb + Control ration; (4) 16.5 mg monensin per kg of feed +
one 12-mg Ralgro implant per lamb (M + R). The monensin level represents 15 g/ton. Lambs for
treatments R and M + R were implanted on day one of the trial. Lambs were self-fed in the drylot a
13% crude protein diet containing 10% cottonseed hulls for 70 days.
‘ Results—A performance summary of lambs fed monensin and implanted with Ralgro is shown in
Table 1. Average daily gain (ADG) was 2.8% greater for R lambs than for C but 1.7% less for M+ R
lambs. However, feed intake (FI) was reduced 2.3% compared with C in M + R lambs. Therefore,
despite gaining less, M + R lambs were most efficient in their feed utilization (3.3% more efficient than
· C). Monensin alone did not improve lamb performance. Table 2 gives a carcass summary of the lambs
_ slaughtered at the end of the 70-day feeding period. Monensin-fed lambs dressed highest and had the
greatest amount of backfat (BF) per 22.7 kg of carcass. M + R carcasses were the leanest (21.9% less
9

 BF than the C lambs). As a result, the M + R carcasses had a yield grade 14.7% leaner than the C
value for C. ‘
These data indicate that the combination of monensin and a Ralgro implant improves feed
efficiency and produces leaner carcasses.
Table 1.—Performance Summary of Lambs Fed Monensin and
implanted with Ralgro
 
Treatment
Measurement, 70 days C M R M+R
——; % of control -;-— `
ADG, kg 0.27 -0.2 2.8 -1.7
FI, kg 1.57 -0.3 0.9 -2.3 ·
Feed/gain 5.68 0 -1.9 -3.3 (
 
Table 2.——Summary of Carcass Characteristics of Lambs Fed Monensin
and Implanted with Ralgro
 
 
Treatment
Characteristic C M R M+R ‘
——-———— % of control —-——
Dressing percent 50.5 2.4 -1.4 .6 `
BF/22.7 kg carcass, mm 6.4 18.3 14.1 -21.9
Yield grade 3.4 5.9 2.9 -14.7
 
MONENSIN AND DIFFERENT DIETARY PROTEIN LEVELS FOR LAMBS1 ~
B. P. Glenn, D. G. Ely and W. P. Deweese V
RUMINANT RESPONSE TO MONENSIN
Monensin (Rumensin®) is a feed additive for beef cattle diets, but has not been approved for ‘
sheep by the Food and Drug Administration. Monensin’s feedlot response of improved feed efficiency
occurs through improved energy metabolism in the ruminant animal. Monensin alters the rumen ‘
fermentation to increase propionic acid and decrease acetic and butyric acid production. Since ·
propionic acid is used more efficiently as an energy source, overall energy availability to the animal is
greater when monensin is fed. This allows amino acids that are also utilized for energy to be spared. _
Tim-ct`orc, monensin may result in an overall "protein-sparing" effect for the animal, _ ·
MONIQNSIN-PROTEIN LEVEL INTERACTION ‘
l’mccr{urt·—'1`wo trials were conducted with lambs: a nitrogen balance and a feedlot trial. In both
trials three crude protein (CP) levels, 10, 13 and 16%, were fed, each with or without 16.5 mg — .
monensin (M) per kg diet (15 g/ton). Diets were basically corn and soybean meal with 20% cottonseed
hulls, 5% molasses and 1% trace mineral salt. In each trial, 24 crossbred lambs were allotted to the 6
ll‘.uti.tllx· supported by a grant from Blanco Products Company, Greenfield, Ind.
10

 _ dietary treatments so there were 4 lambs per treatment, individually fed to provide 4 replications per
treatment.
Nitrogen Balance—Lambs were maintained in wooden metabolism cages and fed twice daily
_ according to 1.2 x digestible energy requirement for maintenance. A 7-day total collection of feces
and urine was conducted. Data collected are presented in Table 1. Nitrogen digestibility increased as
` protein level in the diet increased. Monensin increased nitrogen digestibility by 6.5%. Nitrogen
·~ retained as a percent of digested nitrogen was improved with monensin supplementation only at the
13% CP level, to give a mean 18.8% retained. The 10 and 16% CP diets were not utilized as well as the `
13% level with or without monensin.
Table 1.—Nitrogen Balance in Lambs Fed Monensin with Three Dietary
Protein Levels
Dietary Protein, %
Treatment 10 13 16 Average
_ Nitrogen digestibility, % d
Control 49.0 64.3 72.4 61.9
— Monensin 53.9 71.7b 72.0 65.9
Average* 51.5a 68.0 72.2C
Nitrogen retained, % of digested
Control 11.8 16.2 6.8 11.6
Monensin -7.7 21.3 6.5 6.7
Average 2.1 18.8 6.7
*a’b’CValues in the same line bearing different superscripts are different (P (.05).
d6l.9 significantly (P (.05) different from 65.9.
Feedl0t—The lambs were maintained in drylot pens and self—fed their diet for 56 days. They were
weighed every 14 days, and the results are presented in Table 2. Average daily gain tended to increase
with monensin at the 10 and 16% CP levels but not at the 13% level where nitrogen balance was
Table 2.—Feedlot Performance of Lambs Fed Monensin with Three Dietary
Protein Levels
Dietary Protein, %
Treatment 10 13 16 Average
` Average daily gain, kg
Control 0.24 0.28 0.24 0.25
Monensin 0.26 0.25 0.32 0.28
Average 0.25 0.27 0.28
Feed efficiency, kg/kg gain
_ Control 8.34 7.10 8.98 8.14
Monensin 8.14 7.13 6.75 7.34
Average 8.24 7.12 7.87
. improved in the previous trial. The lambs were more efficient in feed utilization with monensin at the
10 and 16% CP levels. Again, the 13% CP level was unaffected, but these lambs were still the most
efficient overall. Thirteen percent CP has been demonstrated at the Kentucky station to be the
requirement for growing lambs. lf feeding away from the requirement (that is, 10 and 16% CP), it
seems that the response to monensin is greater.
1 1

 A "protein-sparing" effect of monensin cannot be clearly defined from these data. However, it is Y
evident that a dietary protein level-monensin interaction does exist. On limited feed intake in the {
balance trial, monensin had its greatest effect at the level of protein requirement, 13% CP. With the
self-feeding regime in the feedlot trial, monensin improved feed efficiency at the 10 and 16% CP levels
which are below and above the protein requirement, respectively, for growing lambs.
INCREASING NUTRIENT UTILIZATION IN LAMBS FED LOW QUALITY ROUGHAGE1
D. G. Ely, B. P. Glenn and R.]. Thomas
The ruminant animal has the unique ability to digest roughage by way of microorganisms. ‘
However, for maximum performance these microbes must have a constant supply of nitrogen and _
energy to multiply and, thus, to digest the larger amount of roughage for the animal. Mature sheep are
periodically fed low quality roughage or are pastured on highly fibrous forage. Feed additions that -
would increase the utilization of poorer quality feed would prove highly advantageous. Distillers feeds
have been shown to produce maximum cellulose digestion by ruminal microorganisms. Therefore, the
objective of these studies was to determine if nutrient utilization in lambs could bc improved by _
supplementing high-roughage diets containing cottonseed hulls (a low quality roughage) plus urea with
distillers dried solubles and/or starch.
ln the first experiment, six abomasal-cannulated wethers weighing 50 kg were assigned to a
replicated 3 x 3 Latin Square design and fed diets containing approximately 75% roughage, 2.4 to
3.3% urea, 5.3 to 13.3% starch, minerals and 0 to 10% distillers dried solubles (DDS). Diets were fed at `
12-hour intervals at a rate of 340 g per feeding. Abomasal and fecal samples were collected to
determine ruminal and total gastrointestinal (GI) tract digestibilities, respectively. Ruminal cellulose
and total GI tract digestion of cellulose and nitrogen is summarized in Table 1. Although ruminal
Table 1.-Ruminal Cellulose and Total GI Tract Digestion of
Cellulose and Nitrogen in Lambs Fed Different
Levels of DDS (Percent)
DDS, %
Item 0 5 10
Ruminal b b ·
Cellulose* 20.23 30.4 30.9 I
Total GI tract .
Cellulose 57.5 61.7 b 58.1
Nawgcnr 63.2a 57.1a’ saab
"‘u’bValues bearing different superscripts are different (P (.05). I r Q
cellulose digestion was low, a 50% increase in digestion is evidence of stimulatory effect of DDS. `
Greater total Gl tract cellulose digestions were also found with the DDS diets. Conversely, total
nitrogen digestion was greatest with the control diet.
IStippr¤i‘tt`tl by a grant from the Distillers Feed Research Council, Cincinnati, Ohio.
12

 A second experiment was conducted to determine if a combination of DDS and starch would
' stimulate nutrient utilization even further. Abomasal-cannulated wethers were fed the diets shown in
’ Table 2. Ruminal cellulose and total GI cellulose and nitrogen digestion are summarized in Table 3.
Table 2.—Ingredient Composition of Diets Containing Different Levels of DDS and
‘ Starch (Percent)
n
DDS level, % 0 2.5 5.0 7.5 S
Starch level, % 13.3 8.9 4.4 0
Ingredient:
Cottonseed hulls 64.9 64.9 64.9 64.9
Solka floc* 10.1 12.2 14.4 16.6
Vegetable oil 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0
DDS - 2.5 5.0 7.5
Urea (281) 3.3 3.1 2.9 2.6
Starch 13.3 8.9 4.4 -
· Dicalcium phosphate 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
( Sodium sulfate 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Trace mineral salt 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Chromic oxide 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4
Vitamin premix + + + +
*Purified wood cellulose.
Table 3.—Ruminal Cellulose and Total GI Tract Digestion of Cellulose and Nitrogen
in Lambs Fed Different Combinations of DDS and Starch (Percent)
DDS level, % 0 2.5 5.0 7.5
Starch level, % 13.3 8.9 4.4 0
Ruminal
. Cellulose 46.1 49.3 50.2 37.5
Total GI tract
Cellulose 54.2 56.7 60.6 51.7
Nitrogen 47.3 49.2 49.3 40.7
, Greatest ruminal cellulose digestion was found when the 5.0% DDS·4.4% starch was fed. Feeding
‘ grain, such as corn, wheat or milo, should produce similar results. Total GI tract digestion of cellulose
and nitrogen followed a similar trend.
These data indicate that although 5% DDS seems to stimulate nutrient utilization above that
obtained when only nonprotein nitrogen (urea) supplements high-roughage diets, the addition of small
amounts of starch, through grains, will result in even greater nutrient utilization.
l 3

 SULFUR SUPPLEMENTATION TO KENTUCKY 31 FESCUE FED TO LAMBS (
D. G. Ely, _]. W. Spears and L. P. Bushl
Much research has been conducted in which sheep and cattle diets have been supplemented with -
sulfur. These research findings have prompted the National Research Council to list the sulfur require-
ment for growing sheep to be 0.18 to 0.26%. However, recent work has indicated that sulfur
availability in certain natural feeds may limit ruminal fermentation (Barton et al., 1971; Bull and .
Vandersall, 1973; Spears et al., 1976). The objective of this study was to determine the effect of sulfur -
supplementation on Kentucky 31 (Ky 31) fescue forage utilization by lambs.
Five crossbred wethers fitted with permanent abomasal cannulas were fed the fescue forage
shown in Table 1 in a 5 x 5 Latin Square design. The concentration of sulfur (0.20%) should _ A
Table 1.-Chemical Composition of Dchydrated KY 31 Tall Fescue i `
  (
  `
Component Percent ‘
Dry matter 89.3
Neutral—detergent fiber 55.3 `
Acid-detergent fiber 30.8
Lignin 3.3
Crude protein 10.4
Protein nitrogen (% of total nitrogen) 84.0
Nonprotein nitrogen (% of total nitrogen) 16.0
Sulfur 0.2
theoretically meet the animal’s requirement for maximum growth. This fescue was harvested in june
in mid- to full-bloom stage. Each lamb was fed 908 g daily in two equal portions at 12-hour intervals. `
Forage was top-dressed with 7 g salt and 0.05 or 0.15% elemental or L-methionine sulfur. Nitrogen:
sulfur ratios of the diets are shown in Table 2. Abomasal and fecal samples were collected to deter- . (
mine ruminal and total gastrointestinal (Gl) tract digestibility, respectively.
'1`able 2.—Nitrogen:Sulfur Ratios of Diets Fed to Lambs
 
Dietary Treatment N:S Ratio .
Control (chopped, dehydrated tall fescue) 8.4 V
Control + 0.05% elemental S 6.7
Control + 0.15% elemental S 4.8
Control + 0.05% L-methionine S 6.7 . , `
Control + 0.15% L-methionine S 4.8
 
Ruininal and total Gl tract neutral-detergent and acid-detergent fiber digestibilities are presented
in Table 3. Sulfur supplementation in rurninant diets seems to be manifested in the rumen. It is ( 4
concluded that availability of the sulfur present in forage may limit ruminal utilization of dietary .
ll,. l’. Bush is Professor of Agronomy.
14

 Table 3.—Ruminal and Total GI Tract Digestion of Neutral-Detergent (NDF) and Acid-Deter-
_ gent Fiber (ADF) in Lambs Fed Tall Feseue Supplemented with Sulfur (Percent)
 
Elemental S, % L-methionine S, %
Item Control 0.05 0.15 0.05 0.15
Ruminal
NDF* 56.3a 59.8%; 61.6: 56.8%: 62.1;
Anr* 61.6;* 54.9a’ 57.0 45.0a’ 56.3
Total GI tract
NDF 63.7 64.5 64.5 67.0 65.5
‘ ADF 60.3 60.5 61.5 64.5 62.0
*a’bValues bearing different superscripts in the same row are different (P (.10).
1 components and, therefore, limit animal growth. This may be true especially for forages that have
been heavily fertilized with nitrogen, which can result in an excess accumulation of nitrate-nitrogen in
the plant. This effect is most pronounced in the spring and especially so in fescue. However, supple-
mentation with 0.15% of either elemental or methionine sulfur can alleviate some of this limitation
when tall feseue diets are consumed by ruminants.
LITERATURE CITED
Barton, _]. S., L. S. Bull and R. W. Hemken, 1971. Effects of various levels of sulfur upon cellulose digestion in purified
diets and lignocellulose digestion in corn fodder pellets in vitro. _]. Anim. Sci. 33:682.
Bull, L. S. and _]. H. Vandersall, 1973. Sulfur source for in vitro ration utilization, nitrogen metabolism and sulfur
balance,]. Dairy Sei. 56:106. ‘
Spears, _]. W., D. G. Ely, L. P. Bush and R. C. Buckner, 1976. Sulfur supplementation and in vitro digestion of forage
cellulose by rumen microorganisms. _]. Anim. Sci. 43:5 13.
VITAMIN D AND MAGNESIUM INTERACTION IN GROWING LAMBS
R. _]. Thomas, D. G. Ely and j. A. Boling
Two trials were conducted to test the effects of elevated levels of dietary magnesium coupled
, with Vitamin D injections.
The first trial utilized 27 lambs divided into 3 treatment groups with 3 replications of each
I treatment. All lambs were fed a diet containing six times the N.R.C. requirement of magnesium. The
duration of the experiment was 63 days, with injections of placebo or vitamin D on the lst, 2lst and '
42nd days. The control group received the corn oil placebo injection. The low-vitamin D group
' received 13,944 IU of vitamin D intramuscular injection. The high-vitamin D group received 27,888
IU of vitamin D intramuseularly. The lambs were weighed and bled at the same intervals as injections
were given. On the 63rd day, lambs were weighed, bled and slaughtered and heart, kidney, liver,
metaearpal bone and longissimus muscle were taken for analysis. Plasma and tissue samples were
analyzed for calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus  
· The growth parameters indicated no depression owing to either Mg or vitamin D treatments.
There were no significant differences owing to treatment in any of the tissues studied. However, liver P
tended to decrease, in contrast to all the other tissues examined, as the level of vitamin D injection _
increased (Table l). Plasma Ca and Mg decreased across all treatments; however, an elevation was
evident in the P with time with the most prominent elevation in the high D treatment (Fig. 1).
15

 Table 1.—Liver Phosphorus, Magnesium and Calcium in Lambs
Fed Two Levels of Vitamin D3
  r
 
Treatment
Mineral (% DM) C 1 D3 2 D3
 
P 0.585 0.417 0.320 `
Mg 0.071 0.060 0.059
Ca 0.186 0.189 0.134
 
--— C ontrol
I 2 — — Intravenous »
-— · — Intramuseular
.’-T
1 .
s 0 ./
0 _/ `
3 . ’
Fi 8 ·’ .
eg, / . »*   /"" "" " " '°
.»•’ `
¤< 6 _/ ··* , ’ -
.» ·’ /
cd f zf
E _, {e
Q r
__, 4
CM
2
0 2 1 4 2 6 3 V
Days
l·`ig. l.—Plasma phosphorus of lambs supplemented with Vitamin D3.
One of the major functions of vitamin D is to mobilize P in order to equilibriate elevated uptake ‘
levels of Ca and thus maintain proper physiological Ca:P ratios. From this data, it seems that the liver 1 ·
may be the first soft tissue depot of phosphorus that is tapped for the aforementioned function.
ln the second trial 21 lambs were divided into three treatment groups, individually penned and ~
fed a 13% CP diet containing two times the N.R.C. Mg requirement for 21 days. The vitamin D3
treatment in this trial was administered to test not only the dose response, but to test for differences
in inode of D3 administration. The control group was given 0.3 cc vitamin D3 carrier intramuscularly
on day 1. The IM group was injected with 30,000 IU of vitamin D3 intramuscularly on day 1. The IV
group was injected with 30,000 IU of vitamin D3 intravenously on day 1. Liver biopsies were taken ij ·
just prior to injection and 21 days post—injection. Serum blood samples were taken immediately prior
to injection, 6, 12, 18 and 2+ hours post—injection and 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 days thereafter.
Serum and the wet ash liver samples were analyzed for Ca, Mg and P.
16

 The serum P in both vitamin D3 treatments was elevated over control for most of the trial (Fig.
2). There was a slight elevation of IM over IV throughout the trial indicating the possibility of
y difference due to mode of administration. There was significantly less deposition of liver P from day 1
to 21 in the IV group when compared to the control or IM groups (Table 2). This fact, coupled with
the general trend in the serum, indicates vitamin D3 is utilizing liver P to balance</pre>