title: Feeding value of wheat-based thin stillage: in vitro protein degradability and effects on ruminal fermentation.
abstract: Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of wheat-based thin stillage as a fluid source for ruminants. In vitro CP degradability of thin stillage was estimated relative to canola meal and heated canola meal in a completely randomized design. Four ruminally cannulated steers were used in a double cross-over design to determine the effects of consuming thin stillage or water as drinking sources on ruminal fermentation traits. The in vitro CP degradability of thin stillage (55.4%) was lower (P<.05) than that of canola meal (59.4%) and higher than that of heated canola meal (31.6%). Ruminal pH for steers consuming thin stillage was higher (P<.05) at 1000 and 1100 and lower (P<.05) at 1900 and 2000 than that for steers consuming water. Total VFA followed a pattern that was the reverse of that reported for pH. Ruminal NH3 N levels were higher (P<.05) for steers fed thin stillage than for water-fed steers through most of the collection period. Ruminal fluid and particulate matter passage rates were not affected by treatment and averaged .165 and .06 /h, respectively. The amount of thin stillage and water that did not equilibrate with the ruminal fluid and, thus, was considered to bypass the rumen was estimated to be 51.9 and 59.2% of total fluid consumed, respectively. Feeding wheat-based thin stillage had no adverse effects on ruminal metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iwanchysko
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McKinnon
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Mustafa
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCartney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004063:Digestion; D002149:Energy Intake; D005285:Fermentation; D007700:Kinetics; D012417:Rumen / Q000378:metabolism*; D012820:Silage; D014908:Triticum; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins