Urea. Cheap alternative protein feed for cattle.

Urea. According to Wikipedia, "the end product of the metabolism of proteins and other nitrogen compounds in the organisms of ureotelic animals." So where did the idea of ​​feeding cattle something that is actually the end product of the animal's metabolic processes come from? What's more, where did the idea of ​​feeding a product that is actually toxic come from?

To understand the idea of ​​utilizing urea as a source of protein for ruminants, we must first understand the physiology of food-derived energy in this specific group of animals.

How do cows get protein from their food?

Cows, fatteners, and thus ruminants obtain protein from food directly, by digesting proteins introduced with food in the small intestine. In this way, the animal obtains up to 40% of proteins. The second way of obtaining protein through the small intestine, as a result of which the animal obtains up to 60% of protein, is the digestion of rumen bacterial protein. Yes. The cow is indirectly a carnivore. Not only is it a carnivore, it also has its own protein factory. The cow obtains simple, difficult to digest compounds with food. It forces the bacteria in the rumen to work, which decompose the food and, as a result of metabolic processes, build its elements into their own organisms. In this way, the ruminant gains access to the proteins built into the body of the bacteria. These proteins are digested in the duodenum and obtained by the animal's body. That is, the ruminant obtains proteins from the food, which were not present in the original mass.

The role of urea in feed for ruminants.

Now it will be easier to understand the paradox of urea, a kilogram of which is equivalent to 2800-2900 g of total protein. Meanwhile, 1 kg of soybean meal is only 450-500 g of total protein. The paradox of this "miraculous" multiplication is due to the fact that urea as a diamide of carbonic acid is not a protein itself, but it is a great breeding ground for bacteria in the animal's rumen, which build proteins from urea and other substances obtained with food. In the first phase, urea is converted to toxic ammonia using urease, then metabolized by bacteria. However, bacteria do not live on ammonia alone. In order for the synthesis of proteins to be possible, a large amount of energy that is easily obtained by bacteria in the cow's diet is necessary. The most optimal source of energy are easily fermentable simple sugars, which should be included in the animal's daily ration when urea-forming the feed. An excellent source of them are feeds rich in starches, e.g. corn silage, pulp, fodder corn, molasses, middlings and grain granulates. Urea treatment of maize silage is especially recommended. The organic acids contained in it, lactic, acetic and propionic, reduce the activity of urease. Ammonia is released more slowly. The rumen bacteria have more time to metabolize it. Less of this dangerous substance enters the bloodstream and we do not overload the animal's liver.

Liver overload as a result of ammonia poisoning and indirectly urea poisoning, leading even to the death of the animal, is a basic threat when urea feed.

Urea is a very efficient and economically attractive supplement to low-protein feeds with high energy value in protein. However, proper nutrition with this supplement should be approached with great caution and caution. Carelessness can result in poor condition and even death of the animal.

How to use urea safely in dairy and beef cattle breeding?

It is best and safest to use urea on farms where maize silage is the basic roughage. However, it can also be safely administered with other high-energy feeds. Feeds with a high content of sugars and/or starch are particularly predisposed to urea.

Regardless of the type of feed given, remember that:

• Urea can only be used in feeding cattle with a fully developed and mature digestive system.
• Urea feed should never be given to animals under 6 months of age due to the incomplete rumen maturity of such young animals.
• Before introducing urea into the diet of animals, it must be ensured that it is no longer contained in the feeds used and in compound feeds.
• Urea must not appear rapidly in the flock's diet. Animals need to get used to the new diet by gradually increasing the dose of urea. The "acclimatization" period should last at least 2 weeks, optimally 4 weeks.
• Urea must not be administered as an aqueous solution. Ammonia in the rumen is then released in an avalanche, and thus we poison the animal instead of feeding the bacterial flora of the rumen. The ammonia from the urea given in this way goes into the bloodstream of the animal, because the rumen bacteria have too little time to metabolize too much of it.
• It should be remembered that urea provides only protein BTJN - the amount of protein digested in the small intestine from nitrogen available in the rumen - so it can only be fed with feeds poor in BTJN in relation to BTJE - the amount of protein digested in the small intestine resulting from the energy available in the rumen. Feed urea to supplement BTJN makes sense only when we provide the animal with the optimal dose of BTJE, hence the constant reminders about the need to provide large amounts of easily fermentable carbohydrates in the feed ration, e.g. in the form of corn silage as the basic roughage.
• Food enriched with urea should also contain mineral and vitamin supplements, especially sulfur necessary for the production of sulfur amino acids of protein
• Urea administered with the feed must not be moist or caked, and its mixing with other components must be particularly thorough. Concentrating a large amount of urea in a ration for one animal at the expense of another can lead to poisoning or even death of the former.
• You must never exceed the permissible daily doses of urea. The recommended daily dose of urea per one dairy cow or fattening cow is not more than 100-150 g. Assuming individual dosing according to the conversion rate of 20-30 g per 100 kg of the animal's body weight.

In sum:

Urea is a valuable source of protein in the nutrition of both dairy and beef cattle (beef). However, its use requires knowledge and awareness of the risks. By not exceeding the admissible daily doses, taking care of the even distribution of urea in the feed and a balanced high-energy diet rich in sugars, you can significantly reduce the costs of milk and meat production while maintaining full animal safety.

High-quality urea and other feed additives available at distripark.com

* This article is for informational purposes only. The presented description, in particular the use of the products, is exemplary and constitutes non-binding information about the characteristics and possibilities of their use/application. In any case, before using the product, consult a specialist whether the specific use is safe and justified. We do not bear any responsibility for the use of the proposed solutions, even in very similar situations.