They should be thoroughly blended with the grain mix, and preferably with the complete ration. Because urea is extremely soluble, its nitrogen is quickly released in the rumen in the form of ammonia. If a ration mixture including urea is always available in the feed bunk, frequent eating by the cattle on high-quality growing and finishing rations will result in the urea supplement being used about as efficiently as soybean meal.

High urea supplements should not be used with low-quality forage diets. The energy is not readily availble for the microbes to make their protein.

Always price supplements on a price per nutrient (in this case protein) basis to determine the "best buy" Urea is not well utlized in forage diets. Utilization in low quality forage diets may by 25% and in higher quality forage diets urea utilization may be closer to 60%. This needs to be included in your price calculations.