|Cole, Noel - Andy|
Submitted to: High Plains Beef Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/19/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary:
Technical Abstract: Humates are naturally occurring substances often described as being something between peat moss and coal. They are composed of various high molecular weight complex polymers and vary greatly in chemical composition. They are often used to improve soil fertility and plant nutrition but their effects on cattle are not documented. In this experiment, beef cattle were efed diets that contained four concentrations of a commercially available humate product (Bovipro). The concentrations were 0, 0.78, 1.56, and 3.12% of the diet. The humates did not affect feed intake or weight gain of the cattle. Blood hemoglobin concentrations of calves increased as the quantity of humate in the diet increased, possible because of the high iron concentration in the humates. This experiment indicated that dietary humates are acceptable to beef cattle, however, they do not seem to have any affect on animal performance.