Effect of method and level of urea supplementation on nutrient utilization and ruminal fermentation in sheep fed a maize stover-based diet

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of method and level of urea supplementation on feed intake, N efficiency, site of digestion and ruminal fermentation in sheep fed a maize stover-based diet. Treatments included an un-supplemented control, two urea supplementation levels and two urea supplementation methods. Feed intakes were not affected (P>.05) by method or level of supplementation. Total N intake increased (P<0.001) with urea supplementation. N digestibility (P<0.001) and retained N (P<0.05) increased with urea supplementation. It also influenced ruminal DM, OM, ADF and N disappearances. Urea supplementation method or level did not affect rumen pH, however, it influenced rumen NH3-N concentration. The results suggested that ruminants mainly consuming low protein feeds efficiently used urea as N source. However, spraying higher levels of urea were not beneficial. © GSP, India.