urea

[bigbruh]

Is Urea a good source of protein for cattle?

 

[Koffi Babone]

I did not have time to go through the whole articles, but the parts I read made sense:

http://extension.psu.edu/animals/beef/n ... le-rations

http://msucares.com/livestock/beef/mca_aug2008.pdf

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/livestk/01608.html

 

[TexasBred]

Is Urea a good source of protein for cattle?

Absolutely if mixed and fed properly. If you've never fed a urea based feed it might help to read up on it, the potential problems, etc. if not done properly. Most feeds are formulated with amounts that are safe, however, some high protein pellets designed to be mixed with other ingredients will have elevated levels of urea that will be safe IF mixed properly but some folks have fed them as a "complete" feed and killed cattle. Always read feeding instructions on the tag.

 

[muleskinner]

Here is a pretty good guide.

http://www.ingredients101.com/urea.htm

 

[wbvs58]

It's a better feed for the bacteria in the rumen which in turn make plenty of protein which the cattle digest when the bacteria die.
Ken

 

[TexasBred]

It's a better feed for the bacteria in the rumen which in turn make plenty of protein which the cattle digest when the bacteria die.
Ken

A bit more complex than that. The first thing a cow does with what we consider "natural or crude protein" (amino acids) is convert it to nitrogen which can then be utilized by the bacteria in the rumen as fuel. Urea being "non protein nitrogen" in affect is simply a shortcut making the nitrogen much more available much more rapidly thus the potential for urea poisoning when fed in excessive amounts.

 

[bigbruh]

What does the urea do to animals less than 400#?

 

[TexasBred]

What does the urea do to animals less than 400#?

Works fine on calves weaned at about that size if fed in small amounts mixed with other sources of high protein and lots of forage. Fed at too young an age and they simply do not utilize it.