Effects of a New Molasses Bvmoduct. Concentrated Separator Byproduct, on NGtrient Digestibility and Ruminal Fermentation in Cattle1f2

Continuous chromatographic separator techniques have allowed the extraction of more simple sugars from molasses (MOL). The resultant byproduct, concentrated separator byproduct (CSB), has reduced readily fermentable carbohydrates but elevated CP and mineral content. The feed value of CSB was compared to that of MOL in two separate trials. In Trial 1, a chopped forage mixture containing 8 4 O/O meadow grass hay and 8% alfalfa hay was mixed with either CSB or MOL at 7.3% of DM. Diets were administered to four ruminally cannulated cows in a single reversal design. Digestibility of DM, ADF, NDF, and CP were measured. Ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH3), VFA, total viable bacteria (TVB), cellulose-xylan fermenting bacteria (CXFB), and ciliated protozoa (PTZI were evaluated. Blood profiles of electrolytes were also measured. Digestibility of DM, ADF, NDF, and CP were 69.03, 68.58; 57.48, 57.77; 65.62, 64.75; and 67.63, 65.07% for the MOL and CSB diets, respectively. Only CP digestibility differed ( P < ,021. Ruminal pH, NH3, VFA, TVB, CXFB, and PTZ were 6.97, 6.93; 14.21, 16.71 mg/dL; 74.30, 74.78 pmol/mL; 26.79, 27.36 x 109/mL; 21.72, 21.36%; and 13.90, 7.80 x 103/mL for the MOL and CSB diets, respectively. Ruminal measurements did not differ. Blood electrolyte profiles were not altered. Trial 2 was similar to Trial 1 except the basal diet used was 47% barley grain, 35% alfalfa hay, and 10% barley straw. Either MOL or CSB was added at 7.3% of the DM. Digestibilities of DM, ADF, NDF, and CP were 69.52, 71.33; 35.96, 37.11; 27.93, 33.47; and 71.10, 73.66% for the MOL and CSB diets, respectively. Digestibility of DM and NDF differed ( P e .Oil Ruminal pH, NH3, VFA, TVB, CB, and PTZ were 6.39, 6.48; 9.93, 9.82 mg/dL; 114.47, 109.84 pmol/mL; 23.46, 23.86 x 109/mL; 6.31, 6.48%; and 13.15, 12.53 x 104/mL for the MOL and CSB diets, respectively. Neither ruminal measurements nor blood electrolyte profiles differed. Substituting CSB for MOL in forage diets had no major effects on nutriture. Substituting CSB for MOL in 50% grain-50% forage diets resulted in a 2.6% increase in DM digestibility, mainly due to improved NDF digestion.