Abstract
Beef steers were fed 85% concentrate diets in which the corn portion was comprised of mixtures of whole shelled (W) and steam flaked (SF) corn in the following ratios (as fed basis): 100W:OSF, 75W:25SF, 50W:50SF, 25W:75SF and OW:100SF. In Exp. 1 (150 Hereford steers, 152 d on feed), cattle fed the 75W:25SF and 25W:75SF gained faster (P<.05) than those fed the OW:100SF diet, while remaining treatments resulted in intermediate gains. Feed efficiency was not different among treatments but tended to be better for the 25W:75SF treatment. Fecal pH was generally lower and fecal starch content higher as W corn increased in the diet, but variation was evident throughout the feeding period. In Exp. 2 (230 mixed breed steers, 191 d on feed), cattle fed the 25W:75SF and OW:100SF diets gained faster (P<.05) than those fed the 100W:OSF and 75W:25SF diets. Gains on the 50W:50SF diet were different (P<.05) from those on the 100W:OSF diet. Although not significant, feed efficiency was improved with the 25W:75SF and OW:100SF diets compared with other diets. No significant differences were observed in carcass characteristics in either experiment. Exp. 3 was a 5 × 5 Latin square design digestion trial with rumen-cannulated steers. Ruminal dry matter and organic matter digestion (lignin ratio) were higher (P<.05) for the OW:100SF diet than for the 100W:OSF, 75W:25SF and 50W:50SF diets but not different from the 25W:75SF diet. Ruminal starch digestion was also higher (P<.05) for the OW:100SF diet than for the 100W:OSF and 75W:25SF diets, but not different from other diets. Total tract dry matter, organic matter and starch digestion (Cr2O3 or lignin ratio) generally increased with increased proportions of SF corn in the diet. Total volatile fatty acids (mmol/liter) were higher (P<.05) for the 25W:75SF diet than for other diets. Rumen pH at 3 h postfeeding was lower (P<.05) with OW:100SF and 25W:75SF than with 100W:OSF and 75W:25SF diets. Results suggest W corn can be partially substituted for SF corn in beef cattle finishing diets.
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