Effect of Supplemental Fat on Digestion and the Ruminal Calcium Requirement of Sheep2

Abstract

Three balance trials were conducted with mature wethers to determine, (1) the effect on cellulose digestibility of prolonged supplementation of a ration with fat, and the subsequent rate of recovery prior to or following a ration change, and (2) the active component(s) in alfalfa ash that reverse the depressed digestibility observed with rations which contain supplemental fat. Five percent corn oil progressively decreased cellulose digestion during the first 40 days of trail 1. Recovery of cellulose digestion was not complete until 17 days after a ration change and the omission of corn oil. In trials 2 and 3 the effect of 30 gm. of alfalfa ash in restoring digestion of cellulose in a ration that contained 5% corn oil was produced by 4.4 gm. Ca or 4.4 gm. Ca and 0.86 gm. P. Phosphorus (0.86 gm.) alone or a trace mineral mixture which contained Cu, Mo, Mn, Co, Fe, Zn and B was ineffective in this regard.