R.S. ADAMS', ahd
J.G. HLUBIK
Dairy and Animal Science, PSU
UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre)
Lower prices for milk in some
markets and somewhat higher feed
and other costs have caused dairy
men to look for ways to ease finan
cial pressures. Use of ingredients
that are more economiQal sources
of nutrients in a well-balanced
ration can help maintain margins.
Discontinuing the use of oats and
including barley or ear com and
more economical protein supple
ments in the diet may appreciably
reduce feed costs. Further reduc
tions may be possible from proper
use of urea in concentrate mix
tures. Its use at a moderate level of
1% in a finished dairy feed may
lower costs by $B.OO/ton or more.
The use of urea as a partial substi
tute for natural protein is probably
better suited to rations containing
com silage and hays or low protein
haylages than those with high pro
tein haylages. The latter contain
considerable levels of naturally
occurring non-protein nitrogen
(NPN).
An adjustment period of 2 to 4
weeks is necessary to allow the
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(717)768-3301
Feeding Urea May Reduce Ration Costs
rumen microflora and lining to
adapt to the higher levels of NPN
coming from urea. During this per
iod milk production may drop
slightly, but return to normal if the
ration has been properly balanced.
To aid in this adjustment and avoid
concentrate intake problems, it is
best to gradually increase levels of
urea in a finished feed. Start at a
level of 0.5% in the feed and build
to 1.0% or a maximum of 1.5%
over a period of 3 to 4 weeks.
Urea should not be used in a
grain mix or TMR containing soy
beans, unless they have been prop-
Herly heat-treated to reduce urease
This could liberate
ammonia before the feed is con
sumed. Concentrate mixtures con
taining over 86-88% moisture may
result in some liberation of ammo
nia from urea via microbial
growth. This can reduce palatabili
ty and protein equivalent intake by
die cattle. Farm grains that run as
high as 20% moisture at times or
the addition of relatively high
levels of molasses often are the
sources of excess moisture in a
grain mix. Urea or urea-containing
feeds may be used in total mixed
rations, especially if they are mix
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ed at least once daily and not for
long periods ahead of feeding.
Since the use of urea reduces the
level of high-protein ingredients in
a feed it is important that a ration
be properly balanced for most min
erals as well as protein, energy and
vitamins. The total NPN or soluble
protein levels should be kept at a
level of 33% of the total protein
equivalent present in the entire diet
(forage plus concentrate). Rumen
undegradable or by-pass protein
content should be maintained at
35-37% of total protein in the diet.
Inclusion of 4 to 5% liquid molas
ses or 2 to 3% dried molasses may
improve the palatability of urea
containing feeds fed
conventionally.
Proper levels of urea used in a
well-balanced ration should not be
harmful to health, reproduction or
production in adapted animals. If
urea is used in rations for milk
cows, it should be kept in the ration
of dry cows to maintain adaption.
If it is fed to heifers at breeding
time, it should be used in the ration
of young stock at least 3 to 6
months prior to expected breeding.
Heifers require a longer adaptation
period than older animals, espe-
Rt. 82
Unionville, PA 18375
(215)347-2377
cially in regard to reproduction.
Sometimes a combination of
urea and rumen by-passable pro
tein sources may provide an eco
nomical, as well as nutritionally
sound ration. An intake of .25 lb. to
.45 lb. of urea per head daily for
average to high cows, respectively,
often may be possible on some for
age rations.
A preferred way of feeding an
NPN source such as urea would be
to apply it at proper levels to com
Farmers Union Offers
Drought-Relief Proposal
DENVER, Co. With the
drought of 1988 spreading in to
mote and more states, the National
Fanners Union and state Farmers
Union organizations have pro
posed a slate of legislative and
administrative proposals aimed at
providing farmers financial relief
from production losses.
In a plan adopted this week, the
Fanners Union introduced a four
pronged approach to relieve the
economic woes farmers in drought
states are facing. The plan, which
was forwarded to some members
of congress and USDA officials,
asks for legislation that would
allow farmers to enter failed
acreage into the 0-92 program in
counties declared as disaster areas.
Under the proposal, those farmers
would not be allowed to harvest
the newly-enrolled acreage and
would have to take steps to control
erosion on the land.
Secondly, the Fanners Union is
recommending legislation allow
ing livestock producers with feed
grain under loan to buy the grain at
7S percent of the loan rate in order
to help them maintain their herds.
Farmers in several northern states
already have had to sell all or pan
of their foundation herds due to the
severe feed shortage.
The last two proposals ask Agri-
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Phone (215) 683-7686
Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, July 2, 1988-Al9
silage at ensiling. While urea can
be used on whole plant silage, a
nutritionally preferred source
would be liquid anhydrous ammo
nia. Between now and another
harvest of com silage, proper use
of urea in a feed could be of value
in a well-formulated ration fed
under good conditions. Protein
concentrates containing urea are
available from some feed
concerns.
culture Secretary Richard Lyng to
use already existing programs for
drought relief; the emergency feed
program whereby producers cost
share feed grain purchases with
USDA, and the haying and grazing
of conservation reserve and water
bank acres.
The Fanners Union statement
says the emergency actions are
needed not just to offset the imme
diate impact of the drought, but to
head off a potential credit crisis in
the coming months. This crisis, the
statement says, will be brought
about by the loss of production
occurring in many states and the
loss of deficiency payments due to
drought-related market rallies.
During a joint appearance on the
NBC ‘Today” show with Secret
ary Lyng, NFU President Leland
Swenson said that the administra
tion must move faster in imple
menting such programs. “The
noose that’s been around the necks
of many farmers and ranchers has
become extremely tight,” said
Swenson. He termed the admi
nistration’s efforts at drought relief
a “drought of action” for farmers in
states where crops and livestock
herds have already been lost
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