K. Griswold and J. L. Firkins1
The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences
We used a continuous culture system to set passage rates and other variables to study ruminally degradable protein (RDP) and urea as protein sources for mixed ruminal microbes. We found that ammonia concentration is critical for adequate growth of bacteria as has been shown in numerous reports. However, our results also showed that ammonia supply is critical for protein degradation and that higher RDP increased hemicellulose digestion.
1 For more information, contact at: The Ohio State University, 223 Animal Science Building, 2029 Fyffe Road, Columbus, OH 43210, 614-688-3089, Fax 614-292-1515, e-mail: firkins.1@osu.edu