Influence of crambe meal as a protein source on intake, site of digestion, ruminal fermentation, and microbial efficiency in beef steers fed grass hay.

Four ruminally and duodenally cannulated beef steers (558 +/- 37 kg) were arranged in a 4 x 4 Latin square to evaluate the influence of crambe meal as a protein source on intake, digestion, and microbial efficiency. Steers were offered chopped (10.2 cm) brome hay (6.2% CP) for ad libitum consumption and one of four supplements. Protein sources used were soybean and crambe meals (CM). Protein sources were blended to provide four levels of supplemental CM protein (0, 33, 67, and 100%). Protein supplements were fed to provide similar amounts of protein and energy. Amounts of supplements fed were 831, 885, 950, and 996 g of DM/steer daily for 0, 33, 67, and 100% CM treatments, respectively. Crambe meal represented 0, 2.00, 3.83, and 5.88% of the DM intake for respective treatments. Steers were allowed a 21-d adaptation to diets before each collection period. Supplements were offered at 0800 and forage at 0830. Crambe meal had no influence (P > .10) on forage and total DM intake (grams/kilogram of BW). Apparent total tract, ruminal, and postruminal digestion of OM, NDF, ADF, and N were unaffected (P > .10) by CM supplementation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)