ARS | Publication request: CONSIDERATIONS IN UTILIZING BY-PRODUCT CARBOHYDRATES IN RUMINANT NUTRITION

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Western Nutrition Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: August 11, 2008
Publication Date: September 23, 2008
Citation: Hall, M. 2008. Considerations in utilizing by-product carbohydrates in ruminant nutrition. In: Proceedings of the 29th Western Nutrition Conference, September 23-24, 2008, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. p. 127-136.

Technical Abstract: By-product feeds provide a variety of carbohydrates that can vary greatly in their content, digestibility, and physical effects. Variation in the composition and quality of by-product feeds needs to be evaluated to assess whether the variation poses an acceptable risk for inclusion of small or larger quantities of the feeds in rations. The nonfiber carbohydrate profile (starch, sugars, and soluble fiber) of the feeds should be determined for use in ration formulation, as these carbohydrates can differ in their effects on animal performance. If the by-product feeds make up a substantial portion of dietary NDF, it is critical to consider their particle size and digestibility, and to evaluate rumen function of animals that consume the diets: rumination should be adequate, and there should be no signs of ruminal acidosis. By-product feeds can provide cost-effective supplements to diets as long as they are complementary to the rest of the ration.