Effects of urea supplementation on rumen fermentation characteristics and protozoa population in vitro

Abstract

Cotton straw is used as a roughage source in conjunction with maize in draught prone regions in the world for animal production. However, this diet generally contains relatively low rumen degradable protein compared with its supply of fermentable metabolizable energy; therefore leading to a suboptimal animal performance and high methane production. Although urea supplementation is known to improve microbial crude protein (MCP) production and animal production, the recommended levels of urea supplementation range between 1% and 6.7% according to literatures. This in vitro study was conducted as a preliminary investigation to determine the impact of urea supplementation up to 3% (as dry matter..