Effect of molasses-urea supplements on digestibility of mature carpet grass (Axonopus affinis) and liveweight change of beef steers

Abstract

Supplements of dried molasses (500 g) alone or with urea (60 g and 120 g) were given each day to Angus steers fed mature carpet grass (Axonopus affinis) hay in pens. The addition of molasses to the basal diet resulted in increased dry matter intake of the hay (P<0,05) and apparent digestibility of dry matter, energy and nitrogen (P<0.05) and a decrease in liveweight loss (P<0.05). The further addition of either 60 g or 120 g of urea to the diet, however, resulted in no further increases in dry matter intake or apparent digestibility of dry matter or energy although there was an increase in the apparent digestibility of nitrogen with each increment of urea (P< 0.05).