Rations used in chicory trial. Chicory is being investigated as a source of inulin at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center at Scottsbluff, Nebraska. After inulin is extracted, the remaining chicory pulp is a possible feed resource for cattle. Previous research established root by-products such as beet pulp as excellent livestock feeds. The fiber in beet pulp is highly digestible and has relatively high net energy value.
Chemical analysis indicates chicory is relatively high in highly digestible fiber.
Palatability of chicory pulp is a concern, however, as it has a bitter taste. The objective of our trial was to compare the feeding value of chicory pulp with beet pulp and corn silage. Procedure Ninety predominately Angus steers weighing an average of 951 pounds were randomly allotted to nine pens. Pens were randomly allotted to three different ration treatments. Beet and chicory pulp comprised 27.7 percent of the ration dry matter which replaced corn silage in treatments 2 and 3.