Comparative feeding value of wood sugar concentrate and cane molasses for feedlot cattle

Two feedlot cattle growth performance trials and a metabolism trial were conducted to evaluate the feeding value of cane molasses (CM) compared with wood sugar concentrate (WSC). The CM contained (as-fed basis) 73% DM, 8.6% ash, 48% total sugars, and 79.5 degrees Brix. The WSC contained (as-fed basis) 61% DM, 12.2% ash, 38.9% total sugars, and 29% lignosulfonate. When supplemented at 4% of diet DM, treatment effects on ruminal and total tract OM digestion and feedlot performance were similar. When supplemented at 8% of diet DM, ADG was similar across treatments, whereas feed efficiency tended (P < .10) to favor the CM diet. The NEm value of the diet was 2% higher (P < .01) with CM supplementation. It is concluded that WSC may be a useful alternative to molasses in diets for cattle. The feeding value of WSC seems to exceed that based on its hydrolyzable sugars content. Given that the NEm and NEg values (DM basis) for CM are 1.70 and 1.08 Mcal/kg, respectively, the corresponding values for WSC are 1.25 and .68 Mcal/kg, respectively.