Publication Date
1997
Description
A study was conducted with ALCELLR - lignin (A-lignin) to evaluate its impact on performance of grain- fed veal calves. Thirty two male calves (avg. initial wt, 190 kg) were fed for 13 weeks grain corn and a protein supplement with added A-lignin to supply 0, 1.25%, 2.5% or 5.0% of diet. Eight other calves were used to study nitrogen balance, and grab samples of faeces were analyzed for anaerobic, aerobic and coliform bacteria. A-lignin at 1.25% of diet increased (p<.01) weight gain by 12%. Addition of A-lignin also decreased (p< 0.01) organic matter digestion, increased (p<.01) faecal N excretion but did not significantly alter N balance. A-lignin reduced (p< 0.01) faecal ammonia concentration but increased (p <.01) DM content of grab samples of faeces; there were no significant effects on populations of faecal microorganisms. The study revealed a beneficial effect of A-lignin on calf growth but the reason for the response was not uncovered.
Citation
Phillip, L E. and Idziak, E S., "Assessing the Impact of Dietary Addition of Lignin on Growth Performance, Nitrogen Balance and Faecal Microorganisms in Grain-Fed Veal Calves" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 40.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session11/40
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Assessing the Impact of Dietary Addition of Lignin on Growth Performance, Nitrogen Balance and Faecal Microorganisms in Grain-Fed Veal Calves
A study was conducted with ALCELLR - lignin (A-lignin) to evaluate its impact on performance of grain- fed veal calves. Thirty two male calves (avg. initial wt, 190 kg) were fed for 13 weeks grain corn and a protein supplement with added A-lignin to supply 0, 1.25%, 2.5% or 5.0% of diet. Eight other calves were used to study nitrogen balance, and grab samples of faeces were analyzed for anaerobic, aerobic and coliform bacteria. A-lignin at 1.25% of diet increased (p<.01) weight gain by 12%. Addition of A-lignin also decreased (p< 0.01) organic matter digestion, increased (p<.01) faecal N excretion but did not significantly alter N balance. A-lignin reduced (p< 0.01) faecal ammonia concentration but increased (p <.01) DM content of grab samples of faeces; there were no significant effects on populations of faecal microorganisms. The study revealed a beneficial effect of A-lignin on calf growth but the reason for the response was not uncovered.
