5 Evaluating Finishing Performance of Cattle Fed HMC:SFC Blends with Modified Distillers Grains

Abstract

Abstract Steam-flaked corn (SFC) has been widely used in feedlots in the southern United States to improve feed efficiency (G:F) by increasing starch digestibility. Similarly, feedlots in the Midwest have commonly fed high moisture corn (HMC), both to ensure corn supply for the year and to improve G:F. However, popularity of SFC in the Midwest is on the rise, but producers still recognize the benefits of HMC utilization. A study was conducted at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center (ENREC) to compare finishing cattle performance when fed HMC, SFC, or a blend. The objective was to determine the optimum inclusion of the grains when modified distillers grains (MDGS) was included at 20% of the diet. This study utilized 90 yearling steers (353 kg; SD=5.8 kg) individually fed using the Calan gate system in a completely randomized design with cattle stratified by body weight (BW). Treatments included: 100% HMC, 75% HMC blended with 25% SFC, a 50% blend of the grains, 25% HMC blended with 75% SFC, or 100% SFC (DM basis; % of the 70% grain in the diet). Cattle were on feed 168 days with 3-day initial BW and 1 day final BW. Animal was the experimental unit with 18 replications per treatment. No differences in initial BW, ribeye area, or marbling score between treatments were detected (P > 0.12). Ending BW, hot carcass weight, average daily gain, and G:F all linearly increased with increasing inclusion of SFC in the diet (P < 0.05). Carcass adjusted G:F improved from 0.158 to 0.170 for 100% HMC compared to 100% SFC diets, respectively. In conclusion, feeding higher inclusions of SFC in finishing diets resulted in improved performance compared to HMC in diets containing 20% MDGS.