Urea is included in most commercially available protein supplements to reduce cost. It is non-protein nitrogen, or NPN. Rumen microbes will use NPN and carbohydrates to form microbial proteins that are then digested in the small intestines. Through this conversion, urea is valued at 287 percent protein. It is not converted to protein if energy and carbohydrates limit rumen microbial growth. Because of this, urea is 100 percent effective in a feedlot diet but should be limited to less than 15 percent of the crude protein when utilizing low-quality forages in the diet.
More recently, the price of urea has increased in price, mainly because fertilizer price increased. Make sure when purchasing feeds, price them on a price per nutrient basis.
