208
Feeding Elevated Levels of Corn Silage and MDGS in Finishing Diets

Tuesday, March 18, 2014: 9:45 AM
304-305 (Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center)
Dirk B Burken , University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Brandon L Nuttelman , University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Curtis J. Bittner , University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Galen E. Erickson , University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Terry J. Klopfenstein , University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Recorded Presentation (flv) Audio File
Abstract Text:

In periods of high priced corn, corn silage may be an economical alternative in combination with distillers grains in finishing diets. A finishing experiment evaluated the substitution of corn with corn silage and modified distillers grains with solubles (MDGS). Steers (n = 225; BW = 348 ± 27 kg) were separated into three BW blocks and assigned randomly to one of 25 pens (9 steers/pen). Dietary treatments were arranged as a 2 X 2 + 1 factorial with factors including corn silage (15 or 45%) and MDGS (20 or 40%) inclusion plus a control diet with 40% MDGS and 5% cornstalks. Elevated levels of corn silage and MDGS replaced a 1:1 blend of dry-rolled corn and high-moisture corn. Steers were on feed for 133 or 147 d depending on BW block. Performance measures were calculated from HCW adjusted to a common dressing percentage (63%). Marbling score, 12th rib fat thickness, and LM area were recorded after a 48-hr chill. There were no interactions between corn silage and MDGS inclusion (P > 0.12). As corn silage was increased, DMI increased (P = 0.08) and ADG decreased (P = 0.01) equating to a 5.0% decrease in G:F (0.171 vs. 0.180; P < 0.01). As corn silage inclusion increased, final BW, live final BW, and HCW were decreased (P < 0.03), with no effect on dressing percentage (P = 0.52). There was no difference in DMI (P = 0.86) for cattle fed either 20 or 40% MDGS in corn silage diets.  There were improvements in ADG (P = 0.06) and G:F (0.178 vs. 0.174; P = 0.09) for cattle fed 40% MDGS compared to 20% MDGS in corn silage diets. Cattle fed the control diet had similar DMI and ADG to all other treatments (P > 0.11). Cattle fed 15% corn silage and 40% MDGS had superior G:F to cattle fed the control diet (P < 0.01); however cattle fed the control diet had similar G:F compared to all other treatments (P > 0.16). In general, increasing corn silage in place of corn in finishing diets containing distillers grains results in a modest reduction in performance, and replacing corn with MDGS in corn silage diets results in improvements in feedlot performance.

Keywords: corn silage, cattle, distillers grains

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