Abstract
Abstract Predominately Angus steers (n = 240, initial shrunk BW 404 ± 18.5 kg) were used in a 117d feedlot experiment to evaluate the effect of hybrid rye (KWS Cereals USA, LLC, Champaign, IL; Rye) as a replacement for dry-rolled corn (DRC) on growth performance, carcass traits, and comparative net energy value in diets fed to finishing steers. Rye from a single hybrid (KWS Bono) with an ergot alkaloid concentration of 392 ppb was processed with a roller mill to a processing index (PI) of 78.8 ± 2.29. Four treatments were used in a completely randomized design (n = 6 pens/treatment, 10 steers/pen) where DRC (PI = 86.9 ± 4.19) was replaced by varying proportions of Rye [DRC:Rye, DM Basis (60:0), (40:20), (20:40), and (0:60)]. Liver abscess scores and carcass characteristics were collected at the harvest facility. Carcass-adjusted performance was calculated from HCW/0.625. Performance-adjusted NE was calculated using carcass-adjusted ADG, DMI, and mean equivalent shrunk BW with the comparative NE values for Rye calculated using the replacement technique. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure with pen as the experimental unit. Means were separated using linear and quadratic contrasts. Replacing DRC with Rye linearly decreased (P ≤ 0.01) carcass-adjusted final BW, ADG, DMI and G:F. Feeding Rye linearly decreased HCW and LM area (P ≤ 0.04). Distributions of liver scores and USDA grades for quality and yield were unaffected by treatment (P ≥ 0.09). Using observed performance from d 19 to d 117 (period when steers were on final diet), the estimated replacement NEm and NEg values for Rye were 1.93 and 1.26 Mcal/kg, respectively. Rye can be a suitable feed ingredient in finishing diets for feedlot steers with the optimal inclusion in this experiment at 20% of DM. Complete replacement of DRC with Rye depressed DMI, ADG, and G:F.
Highlights
Increasing crop-rotation diversity offers a number of benefits to an integrated crops–livestock production system, including greater yield resiliency and enhanced yield increases compared to a monoculture or two-crop rotation (Bowles et al, 2020)
Hybrid rye was substituted for dry-rolled corn (DRC) as follows: a basal finishing diet formulated [dry matter (DM) basis] with 60% corn grain (DRC:Rye, 60:0) and three additional diets formulated with increasing proportions of Rye (40:20, 20:40, and 0:60)
Rye included at 20% of diet DM blended with DRC resulted in NE for maintenance (NEm) and NEg estimates 9.5% and 12.8% greater when compared to Rye fed at 60%, consistent with positive associative effects observed when blends of wheat and corn were fed (Kreikemeier et al, 1987)
Summary
Increasing crop-rotation diversity offers a number of benefits to an integrated crops–livestock production system, including greater yield resiliency and enhanced yield increases compared to a monoculture or two-crop rotation (Bowles et al, 2020). Diversified crop rotations, when combined with livestock production, reduce month-to-month variation in labor requirements compared to a corn–soybean rotation with livestock (Poffenbarger et al, 2017). Cereal rye offers several attributes that warrant consideration for inclusion as a component of an integrated crops–livestock system. Rye can be grazed, harvested for forage, or allowed to reach maturity for the harvest of grain and straw. Rye is harvested earlier than row crops, allowing for greater manure application flexibility or planting of short-season forage crops if conditions allow. Newer hybrid rye (Rye) germplasms are promising because of their enhanced yield potential and decreased ergot incidence compared to traditional open-pollinated rye cultivars (Hansen et al, 2004)
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