An evaluation of 10-G brand direct-fed microbial for yearling steers fed finishing diets containing wet distillers grains

Abstract

ABSTRACT One hundred forty-four Charolais crossbred yearling steers (335.5 kg ± 12.2) were used to determine the effect of 10-G brand direct-fed microbial product (10-G contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium, Pediococcus acidilacticii, Lactobacillus brevis, and Lactobacillus plantarum) in a finishing diet containing steam-flaked corn and wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) on performance and carcass characteristics. Cattle were fed twice daily with dietary treatment applied only to the first feeding. Dietary treatments included 1) 10-G (TRT) product in the first round of feeding and 2) control (CON). The CON diet received a placebo in place of the 10-G product. Each diet contained 6% wheat straw (WS) and 15% WDGS and the finishing diet contained 68% steam flaked corn on a DM basis. Prior to the initiation of the experiment, WS and WDGS were mixed together using a vertical screw-type truck-mounted mixer box in the ratio of 2:5 (kg:kg) WS to WDGS on a DM basis, stored in a single pile, packed with a tractor, and covered with plastic. The WS and WDGS mixture was added to each batch of feed as one commodity during diet manufacturing. Overall ADG, DMI, G:F, and NE recovery were similar across treatments (P > 0.10). Hot carcass weight, YG, QG, maturity, and marbling score were similar across treatments (P > 0.10). Carcasses from steers receiving 10-G had a greater (P