AMMONIUM CHLORIDE AS A NITROGEN SOURCE FOR STEERS

Abstract

Two feedlot trials were conducted to measure the effects on steer performance when supplementing finishing rations with different levels of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl). Feedlot performance of steers supplemented with 37.4 g NH4Cl per head daily, which replaced equivalent amounts of cottonseed meal nitrogen in the basal ration, was equal to that of steers fed the basal ration. However, when 75.5, 113.3, and 133.5 g NH4Cl were fed daily, steer gains were significantly reduced. Steers receiving 75.5, 113.3, or 133.5 g NH4Cl consumed only 96.4, 90.3, or 85.6%, respectively, of the total ration as those receiving 37.4 g NH4Cl daily. Rumen pH and plasma urea levels increased slightly as the level of dietary NH4Cl increased. Plasma threonine and phenylalanine decreased and plasma arginine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid increased as the level of NH4Cl in the diet increased. Total plasma essential and nonessential amino acid concentrations were highest when cottonseed meal was fed and lowest when the highest level of NH4Cl (133.5 g/head per day) was fed.