Research Progress Report 153
		 September, 1964
Comparative Value of Cane Molasses and Holocellulose Molasses
for Fattening Beef Cattle
T. W. Perry, R. J. Hillier, J. P. Shepard and W. M. Beeson Department of Animal Sciences
Summary
Holocellulose (wood) molasses was apparently of equal value to cane molasses when fed liquid as 10 percent of the total ration (Table 3).
Dehydrated holocellulose molasses effectively replaced cane molasses in the Purdue Supplement A formula on a dry matter equivalent basis, when dehydrated alfalfa meal was added along with it to replace the water. In fact, cattle on the modified Supplement A formula containing 9.1 percent dehydrated holocellulose molasses and 21.8 percent dehydrated alfalfa meal gained 14 percent faster (2.63 vs. 2.30 lb per day) than those fed regular Supplement A with 14 percent cane molasses and 14 percent dehydrated alfalfa meal. This was parallelled by 7 percent more efficient utilization of feed in favor of cattle fed the dehydrated holocellulose molasses-dehydrated alfalfa meal supplement. The improvement in performance of the cattle on the holocellulose supplement may be due to the higher level of dehydrated alfalfa meal (0.21 vs. 0.14 lb
daily) or to unidentified factors present in the dehydrated holocellulose molasses.
When cattle were given their preference of ad libitum feeding, a preference for cane molasses was indicated (Table 1, Pens 1 and 2). However, when they had no choice, a mixture of 50 percent cane molasses and 50 percent holocellulose molasses was equally as well accepted as 100 percent cane molasses. However, since force feeding data indicate no difference in the feeding value between liquid cane molasses and liquid holocellulose molasses, the preference test resolves itself almost to academic interest.
Introduction
Holocellulose molasses is a byproduct of the production of hardboard. It is the concentrated soluble product obtained from the steam treatment of wood at elevated temperatures and pressures without the use of acids, alkalis or salts. It contains both pentose and hexose sugars (and their precursors) and has a total carbohydrate content of not less than 55 percent. Its Brix (concentration in percent sugar)is not less than 65 percent.
(1) This research was supported in part by a grant from the Masonite Corporation, 29 North Wacker Drive, Chicago 6, Illinois, in cooperation with Mr. Dale Galloway.
PURDUE UNIVERSITY • Agricultural Experiment Station • Lafayette, Indiana