By Warren Rusche, South Dakota State University Extension
Key points
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Roughage serves as a functional ingredient in finishing cattle diets, with key roles in supporting rumen health.
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Conventional wisdom assumes that roughage inclusions should be no greater than necessary for rumen health (less than 10% of diet dry matter) to maximize feed efficiency.
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Greater inclusions of roughage may reduce risk of digestive upset and simplify management with minimal efficiency losses.
Role of roughage in feedlot diets
Roughage plays a critical role in digestion and metabolism of dietary nutrients. One key…
