Livestock Notes | Beef Urea and Mineral Additives for Corn Silage by John W. Comerford Com silage is a popular and effective feed for both feedlot steers and for wintering cows and calves. However, com silage is deficient in protein, calcium, and phosphorus for most classes of beef cattle. Table 1. Deficiency of Protein, Calcium and Phosphorus in Corn Silage. Com silage Daily requirements: Growing steer (500 lbs.) Finishing steer (800 lbs.) Lactating Cow ’CP « crude protein; Ca « Calcium; P » Phosphorus • Winter’s frozen ground conditions reduce soil compaction Hi-Calclum rim LIMESTONE One way to correct the inadequ acy of com silage for these nutri ents and to improve fermentation is to add urea and minerals at the time the silage goes into the silo. Adding urea, limestone, or a com bination has been shown to increase the production of organic acids in the silage. Of particular importance is the increased pro- Profit from winter lime application Hi-Magneslum duction of lactic acid during fermentation. Dry urea usually has 45% nitro gen which is equivalent to 281% crude protein for a ruminant. By adding 10 lbs. of urea to one ton of com silage that is 30% dry matter and 8% crude protein, the protein content of the silage will increase to 12.7% crude protein. This may be both an effective and economi cal way to provide supplemental protein to most classes of beef cattle since there will be no further cost for either protein supplements or for the labor and equipment to provide the supplement. Additionally, adding urea at ensiling time may be more effec tive than adding it to the silage at the time of feeding. Research at Ohio State and Illinois has shown a slight advantage in performance for cattle on urea-treated silage compared to when urea was added as a supplement at feeding. It is important to note that calves under four months of age ate unable to use the urea as protein until their rumen is more fully developed. CP 1 Ca’ P’ % % % 8.1 .27 .20 12.2 .31 .25 1.1 .38 .29 9.3 .28 .22 For prompt delivery contact your local Martin Limestone dealer or call Blue s*ll, Pa, (800) 233-0205 (717) 354-1370 Other important steps in using urea and mineral-treated silage include: • Get a feed sample of the sil age analyzed after the material has fermented to be sure rations are balanced correctly. • Use additional sulfur in rations where urea is the primary protein source. • Use untreated silage or hay to start stressed calves in a feedlot. • Add the prescribed amounts of urea and minerals to the silage because these materials can Table 2. Urea-Mineral Mixes for Silage Item Urea (45% nitrogen) Dicalcium phosphate Sodium sulfate Trace-mineral salt Table 3. Amount of Urea-Mineral Mix to Use Based on Silage Dry Matter % of Dry Matter In Silage 30 32 34 36 38 40 It is important to get the urea mineral mix spread evenly through the silage. Poor mixing can result in caking and bridging of the silage, poor animal perfor mance, and possible toxicity prob lems. To insure proper application: • Be sure you know the dry matter content of the silage. • Get a good approximation of the weight of silage in a load so the proper amount of mix can be added. It’s a fact! Contaminated water can have a costly effect on your livestock and poultry performance. Our years of experience plus hundreds of farm related treatment systems has proven the validity and practicality of correcting contaminated water. WATER SYSTEMS Call us today for treatment of: *Niirates *Bacteria *lron *Sulfates *pH » Acidity!'Alkalinity 548 New Holland Ave. Lancaster, PA 17602 (717)393-3612 Along Rte. 23 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 20,1993-El3 become toxic to animals when fed at levels which are too high. Silage Dry Matter It is essential to know the dry matter value of the silage before attempting to mix urea and miner als with it In genera), urea can be added to silage that is between 30% and 40% dry matter. When the silage is too wet, the urea may escape as seepage. When it is too dry, the urea may be lost as ammonia and make the silage unpalatable. • Mix the urea and minerals together well before applying them to the silage. • Meter the mix through the blower for upright silos, or pour it over the top of the load anjl allow the blower to mix it. • Meter the mix into the chop per or spread over the lop of a load before dumping for a trench or bunker silo. Spreading it over the top of the stack will result in a poor mix. Water Quality An IMPORTANT ingredient in lock Management Martin Water Conditioning Co. SPECIALISTS IN FARM WATER TREATMENT Willis Sharp 740 E. Lincoln Ave. Somerset, PA ft Myerslown, PA 17067 Surrounding Counties (717) 866-7555 (814)-893-5081 Along Rte. 422 % of Mix 58.0 18.0 8.0 16.0 Pounds of Mix per Ton of Wet Silage 17 18.1 19.3 20.4 21.5 22.7
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