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^^■^■HHIIHiBHHHi Oooperaf/ve Extension Urea for Beef Cattle and Sheep I What Is Urea? Urea is a nitrogen compound that can be used to meet a part of the protein requirement of beef cattle and sheep. Found in many plants, urea is a normal end product of protein metabolism in mammals. A part of the urea produced in the animal body is returned to the digestive tract by the saliva. The remainder of the urea is passed off in the urine as waste. Urea, as used in commercial beef cattle and sheep protein supplements, is a colorless, odorless compound manufactured from such common raw materials as coal, air, and water. Thousands of tons are produced annually for use in industry and agriculture. The main agricultural uses are as fertilizer and in feeds. Pure urea contains 46.7 percent nitrogen. One pound of pure urea furnishes as much nitrogen as 2.c)2 pounds of protein (protein equivalent of 292 percent). The feed grade urea has other ingredients to prevent caking and lumping. This material lowers the protein equivalent to 262 or 281 percent. Utilization Nutritionally, urea is like protein only in that it contains nitrogen. It cannot be used to advantage in feeds for animals with simple stomachs, such as swine and poultry; but it can be used by beef cattle and sheep because these animals have a large rumen or paunch where feed undergoes fermentation. Rumen micro-organisms have the unique ability to convert urea to protein. Utilization of urea requires a source of readily available energy. This is best supplied by starch, which is in large quantities in cereal grains. Sugars and cellulose are inferior to starch for maximum urea utilization. Sugars pass out of the rumen too rapidly and cellulose is not broken down fast enough to supply energy compounds necessary for conversion of urea to protein. Molasses may be beneficial for urea utilization, especially if the ration is low in starch. A ration may need supplemental minerals when part of the protein has been replaced with urea. This is because of the removal of part of the cottonseed meal or other mineral-containing supplement. A Protein Replacement Urea is fed to beef cattle and sheep as a replacement for a part of the protein in the ration. Whether it is economical depends on its cost in relation to other high-protein foods. At a protein equivalent of 281 percent. 11.8 pounds of urea and 88.2 pounds of milo grain (9 percent protein) are equal in protein and energy value to 100 pounds of 41-percent-protein cottonseed meal or similar supplement. To determine the cost of the urea-milo mixture, use current prices per ton for both ingredients. Add to this the current charge for grinding, mixing, and pelleting (probably S10 to SI5 per ton). This will give you the cost per ton, which may be compared directly to the cost of 41-percent-protein cottonseed meal or a similar supplement. The cheaper is more economical, because results should be similar. Toxicity Urea can be toxic when fed at too high levels or when recommended levels are poorly mixed. When fed at levels greater than the capacity of the rumen micro-organisms to convert it to protein, it is absorbed into the bloodstream as ammonia, which is toxic at high levels. Most instances of urea poisoning are due to poor mixing or to errors in the amount of urea to add to the ration. There is no danger from recommended levels o\~ urea properly mixed and fed according to directions. If toxicity occurs, an emergency measure, while awaiting arrival of a veterinarian, is drenching with one gallon of vinegar. The vinegar lowers the rumen pH and neutralizes ammonia. Symptoms of urea toxicity include uneasiness, tremors, excess salivation, rapid breathing, unco- ordination, bloat, and tetany. Tetany (muscular spasm) is the last symptom observed before death New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity employer. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, or national origin. New Mexico State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.
Object Description
Title | Urea for beef cattle and sheep |
Series Designation | Guide 400 B-105 |
Description | Guide containing general information on the use of urea in beef cattle and sheep feed. |
Subject | Urea as feed; Proteins in animal nutrition; Beef cattle--Feeding and feeds; Sheep--Feeding and feeds; urea (NAL); ruminant nutrition (NAL); beef cattle (NAL); sheep (NAL) |
Creator | Nelson, A. B. (Arnold Bernard), 1922-; Ljungdahl, William A. |
Date Original | 1976-10 |
Digital Publisher | New Mexico State University Library |
Rights | Copyright, NMSU Board of Regents. |
Collection | NMSU Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station Publications |
Source | Monograph; [2] p., 28 cm.; J87.N6 X313.61, F19/3, no.B105, 1976 |
Type | Text |
Format | image/tiff |
Language | eng |
Page Description
Title | Page 1 |
Series Designation | Guide 400 B-105 |
Subject | Urea as feed; Proteins in animal nutrition; Beef cattle--Feeding and feeds; Sheep--Feeding and feeds; urea (NAL); ruminant nutrition (NAL); beef cattle (NAL); sheep (NAL) |
Creator | Nelson, A. B. (Arnold Bernard), 1922-; Ljungdahl, William A. |
Date Original | 1976-10 |
Digital Publisher | New Mexico State University Library |
Rights | Copyright, NMSU Board of Regents. |
Collection | NMSU Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station Publications |
Digital Identifier | UAAPg00B1050001 |
Is Part Of | Urea for beef cattle and sheep |
Type | Text |
Format | image/tiff |
Language | eng |
OCR | ^^■^■HHIIHiBHHHi Oooperaf/ve Extension Urea for Beef Cattle and Sheep I What Is Urea? Urea is a nitrogen compound that can be used to meet a part of the protein requirement of beef cattle and sheep. Found in many plants, urea is a normal end product of protein metabolism in mammals. A part of the urea produced in the animal body is returned to the digestive tract by the saliva. The remainder of the urea is passed off in the urine as waste. Urea, as used in commercial beef cattle and sheep protein supplements, is a colorless, odorless compound manufactured from such common raw materials as coal, air, and water. Thousands of tons are produced annually for use in industry and agriculture. The main agricultural uses are as fertilizer and in feeds. Pure urea contains 46.7 percent nitrogen. One pound of pure urea furnishes as much nitrogen as 2.c)2 pounds of protein (protein equivalent of 292 percent). The feed grade urea has other ingredients to prevent caking and lumping. This material lowers the protein equivalent to 262 or 281 percent. Utilization Nutritionally, urea is like protein only in that it contains nitrogen. It cannot be used to advantage in feeds for animals with simple stomachs, such as swine and poultry; but it can be used by beef cattle and sheep because these animals have a large rumen or paunch where feed undergoes fermentation. Rumen micro-organisms have the unique ability to convert urea to protein. Utilization of urea requires a source of readily available energy. This is best supplied by starch, which is in large quantities in cereal grains. Sugars and cellulose are inferior to starch for maximum urea utilization. Sugars pass out of the rumen too rapidly and cellulose is not broken down fast enough to supply energy compounds necessary for conversion of urea to protein. Molasses may be beneficial for urea utilization, especially if the ration is low in starch. A ration may need supplemental minerals when part of the protein has been replaced with urea. This is because of the removal of part of the cottonseed meal or other mineral-containing supplement. A Protein Replacement Urea is fed to beef cattle and sheep as a replacement for a part of the protein in the ration. Whether it is economical depends on its cost in relation to other high-protein foods. At a protein equivalent of 281 percent. 11.8 pounds of urea and 88.2 pounds of milo grain (9 percent protein) are equal in protein and energy value to 100 pounds of 41-percent-protein cottonseed meal or similar supplement. To determine the cost of the urea-milo mixture, use current prices per ton for both ingredients. Add to this the current charge for grinding, mixing, and pelleting (probably S10 to SI5 per ton). This will give you the cost per ton, which may be compared directly to the cost of 41-percent-protein cottonseed meal or a similar supplement. The cheaper is more economical, because results should be similar. Toxicity Urea can be toxic when fed at too high levels or when recommended levels are poorly mixed. When fed at levels greater than the capacity of the rumen micro-organisms to convert it to protein, it is absorbed into the bloodstream as ammonia, which is toxic at high levels. Most instances of urea poisoning are due to poor mixing or to errors in the amount of urea to add to the ration. There is no danger from recommended levels o\~ urea properly mixed and fed according to directions. If toxicity occurs, an emergency measure, while awaiting arrival of a veterinarian, is drenching with one gallon of vinegar. The vinegar lowers the rumen pH and neutralizes ammonia. Symptoms of urea toxicity include uneasiness, tremors, excess salivation, rapid breathing, unco- ordination, bloat, and tetany. Tetany (muscular spasm) is the last symptom observed before death New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity employer. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, or national origin. New Mexico State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. |