PSIV-25 - Utilization of rumen protected lysine and methionine in beef feedlot diets: impacts on steer performance

Abstract: Our objective was to compare intake, gain, and feed efficiency of steers fed rumen protected lysine and/or methionine in 10% crude protein diet relative to performance of steers fed a diet with 13% crude protein without added amino acids. One hundred sixty-one beef steers (429.7 ± 44.5kg) were utilized in this experiment. Calves were randomly assigned to treatments consisting of: 1) positive control diet (POS), formulated to contain 13.0-13.5% CP, 2) negative control (NEG) diet containing 10.2% CP, which also forms the basal diet for the remaining treatments, 3) rumen protected methionine (RPMet) 10.2% CP basal diet and 7.2 g/d supplemental methionine, 4) rumen protected lysine (RPLys) 10.2% CP basal diet and 18.5 g/d supplemental lysine, and 5) the combination of rumen protected lysine and methionine (RPMet+Lys) 10.2% basal diet with 7.2 and 18.5 g/d supplemental methionine and lysine, respectively. Initial and final body weights were unaffected by treatment (P ≥ 0.24). Average daily gain for POS (1.93kg/d P</em> ≤ 0.02) was greater than those of NEG, RPLYS, and RPMET+LYS, but was similar to RPMET (1.86kg/d; P = 0.17). Dry matter intake was greater in RPMET (12.1kg/d; P ≤ 0.10) compared to all other treatments. Gain-to-feed ratio was greatest in POS (0.170kg gain:kg DMI; P ≤ 0.04). The impacts of rumen-protected amino acids on performance (intake, gain, and efficiency) of beef steers fed high-concentrate diets were inconsistent. Evaluating both lysine and methionine supplied independent of each other in various concentrations is critical before moving forward with recommendations for beef cattle. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.