Effects of Feeding Cobalt Dextro Lac (CDL) on Feedlot Performance and Carcass Value of Finishing Steers Fed Wet Corn Gluten Feed

A 192-day experiment involving 144 young Angus steers fed growing and finishing diets containing 20% corn gluten feed was conducted to evaluate feeding a soluble source of readily available cobalt. No benefits were observed in rate of gain, feed intake or carcass value by feeding the available source of cobalt.

The Effects of Feeding a Live Microbial Product on Feedlot Performance and Carcass Value of Finishing Steers Fed Wet Corn Gluten Feed

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of daily feeding a live microbial preparation containing two live organisms to finishing cattle. One organism was a lactobacillus, and the other was a propionibacterium, thought to work in concert to improve fermentation in the rumen and overall digestion. The study was conducted with Angus steers with an average initial weight of 550 lbs that were fed a finishing ration containing 50% wet corn gluten feed on a dry basis for 184 days. Feeding the microbial product improved daily gain and feed efficiency 1.7% and 2.4%, respectively, but the differences were not statistically significant. The microbial preparation increased carcass weights 1% but had no effects on quality or yield grades. It is concluded that potential benefits of this product are more likely to be greater when cattle are fed high grain rations rather than diets containing high concentrations of corn gluten feed.

Relative Feeding Value of Wet Corn Steep Liquor When Fed to Finishing Cattle

Corn steep liquor is a liquid by-product containing condensed steep water and condensed distillers solubles from a wet corn milling plant. Finishing steers weighing nine hundred and seventy-five pounds were fed cornbased finishing diets containing 0%, 6%, or 12% corn steep liquor for 84 days. Feeding corn steep liquor did not affect performance of the steers or carcass characteristics. Based on value of feeds replaced in the diet, steep liquor had a value of $55 to $60/ton (50% dry matter) when used to replace corn and supplemental protein in a corn-based finishing diet.

Relative Value of White Corn When Fed to Finishing Cattle and Its Effects on Color of Carcass Fat

White corn was compared with yellow corn in a 180-day finishing trial with 600 lb. Angus steers fed 90% concentrate diets. Steers fed yellow corn consumed 3.3% less feed and were 3.8% more efficient in feed utilization. Rate of gain and carcass characteristics were similar for steers fed white or yellow corn. The color of subcutaneous fat over the ribs was significantly whiter from carcasses of steers fed white corn compared with those fed yellow corn. The results of this study indicate that white corn may be used instead of barley to produce whiter fat in beef carcasses.

Long Versus Short Feeding Period for Steer Calves of Three Frame Sizes Fed High Energy Finishing Diets

An experiment was conducted using Angus cross steer calves of three frame sizes (small, medium, and large) to compare performance of two different grow/finish feeding programs. Half of the cattle in each frame size group were fed a high energy ration through the growing period, similar to calves going directly into the feedlot. The other half was fed a low energy ration, similar to a backgrounding diet, for a period prior to the finishing phase. All cattle were fed a high energy ration through the finishing period. The data showed the cattle fed the low energy growing diet experienced some compensatory gains as shown by ultrasound backfat and average daily gains coupled with intakes greater than the increases seen in the high energy treatment. Carcass data and overall performance data showed no ill effects due to the low energy growing ration.

Effects of Chemical Composition on Forage Intake of Heifers Fed Hays of Different Species

Alfalfa, smooth bromegrass, and big bluestem hays harvested at two maturities differing by four weeks were fed at mature-to-immature hay ratios of 1:0, 2:1, 1:2, and 0:1 to yearling heifers in an experiment with a three 4 x 4 Latin square design with 14 day periods. Concentrations of in vitro digestible dry matter and crude protein were greater and concentrations of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and indigestible neutral detergent fiber (determined by either a manual method with a 96 hour incubation or an automated method with a 48 hour incubation) were less in alfalfa hay than in the two grass hays and in smooth bromegrass hay than in big bluestem hay. Concentrations of in vitro digestible dry matter and crude protein decreased whereas those of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and indigestible neutral detergent fiber increased with increasing forage maturity. Consumptions of dry matter, digestible dry matter, in vitro digestible dry matter, and crude protein were greater for heifers fed alfalfa hay diets than those fed the two grasses. Consumptions of total neutral detergent fiber and indigestible neutral detergent fiber, determined by the automated method with a 48 hour incubation, were greater by heifers fed diets containing big bluestem than those fed alfalfa or smooth bromegrass diets. Consumptions of acid detergent fiber and indigestible neutral detergent fiber, determined by a manual method with a 96 hour incubation, were greater for heifers fed alfalfa or big bluestem hay diets than those of heifers fed smooth bromegrass diets. Consumption of dry matter, in vivo or in vitro digestible dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and automated indigestible neutral detergent fiber decreased as the mature-to-immature hay ratio decreased. Diet digestibility was not affected by forage species, but increased as the mature-toimmature hay ratio decreased. Fecal excretion of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber did not differ between forage species or mature-to-immature hay ratios. Forage dry matter intake expressed as a percentage of body weight was significantly related to the concentrations of in vitro digestible dry matter (r2=.14), crude protein (r2=.17), neutral detergent fiber (r2=.20), and manual indigestible neutral detergent fiber (r2=.18) of the hays and the concentration of digestible dry matter of the diets (r2=.43).

Ruminal Microbial Protein Synthesis in Sheep Fed Forages of Varying Nutritive Values

Six wethers, fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulae, were utilized in a 6 x 6 Latin Square metabolism trial to determine efficiency of microbial protein synthesis in the rumen of sheep fed forages with varying nutritional quality. Ground alfalfa hay, oat-berseem clover hay, and baled corn crop residues were fed at an ad libitum or limited intake level. Chromium-mordanted fiber, cobalt- EDTA, and purines were used to determine digesta flow and solid passage rate, dilution rate, and microbial protein production, respectively. Sheep fed alfalfa hay had greater organic matter (OM) intakes, and amounts of OM apparently and truly ruminally digested (g/d; P < .05) than sheep fed either oat-berseem clover or corn crop residues at the ad libitum intake level. Rates of slow solid and liquid passage, and postfeeding ruminal ammonia-nitrogen (N) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations were lower (P < .05) in sheep fed corn crop residues than those fed alfalfa or oat-berseem clover hay. Total duodenal flows (g/d) and efficiencies of ruminal synthesis (g crude protein/100 g of OM truly digested; P < .05) of microbial protein were less in sheep fed corn crop residues than in sheep fed alfalfa, and oatberseem clover ad libitum. Whereas total duodenal microbial-N flow was related to organic matter intake (OMI; r2 = .97) and OM truly digested in the rumen (OMTDR; r2 = .97), microbial efficiency was related to g of nitroge truly digested in the rumen (NTDR)/100 g of OMTDR (r2 = .82) and slow solid passage rate (r2 = .91).