Abstract
Sixty-four Holstein steers (247 ± 4 kg) were used in a 70-d experiment to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of steam flake corn (SFC) with extruded corn meal (EC) on growth performance and dietary net energy. Treatments consisted of a steam flaked corn-based finishing diet containing 0%, 10%, 20%, or 30% EC, where EC replaced 0%, 15%, 30%, or 45% of SFC (DM basis). Replacement of SFC with increasing levels of EC did not affect (P > 0.10) ADG, DMI, and gain efficiency. When EC replaced 15% to 30% of SFC, observed dietary NE was 99% of expected. Whereas, when EC replaced 45% of SFC, observed dietary NE was 94% of expected. Four Holstein steers (210 ± 7 kg) with cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment to evaluate treatment effects on characteristics of digestion. Partial replacement of SFC with EC did not affect (P > 0.10) flow of undegraded feed N and microbial N and to the small intestine, and ruminal microbial N efficiency (g microbial N/kg OM fermented). Likewise, there were no treatment effects (P > 0.10) on ruminal digestion of OM, NDF, starch and feed N. As expected, total tract digestion of starch for all treatments exceeded 99%. However, partial replacement of SFC with EC decreased total tract digestion of DM and OM (linear effect, P = 0.02), and dietary DE (linear effect, P = 0.03). These effects were more pronounced where EC replaced 45% of SFC. Partial replacement of SFC with EC did not affect (P > 0.10) ruminal pH, total VFA concentration, molar proportions of acetate, propionate, and butyrate, and estimated methane production. It is concluded that partial replacement of SFC with EC does not have a beneficial effect on ruminal microbial efficiency and digestive function. The feeding value of extruded corn for feedlot cattle is comparable to that of steam flaked corn provided the inclusion rate does not exceed 20% of diet dry matter.
Highlights
The objective of grain processing is to improve feeding value and acceptability without detrimentally affecting digestive function [1]
Sixty-four Holstein steers (247 ± 4 kg) were used in a 70-d experiment to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of steam flake corn (SFC) with extruded corn meal (EC) on growth performance and dietary net energy
Treatments consisted of a steam flaked corn-based finishing diet containing 0%, 10%, 20%, or 30% EC, where EC replaced 0%, 15%, 30%, or 45% of SFC (DM basis)
Summary
The objective of grain processing is to improve feeding value and acceptability without detrimentally affecting digestive function [1]. Steam flaking corn can maximize its feeding value, largely due to enhancement of both ruminal and post-ruminal starch digestion [2] [3] [4]. Depressed intake was attributed to protracted low ruminal pH of steers fed extruded corn. In a companion digestion trial, they observed that whereas extrusion markedly increased (13%) starch digestion, diet DE was not improved. This was attributed to low ruminal pH and negative associative effects on digestion of other dietary ingredients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate potential positive associative effects of extruded corn, when fed as only a partial replacement for steam flaked corn, on growth performance and characteristics of digestion in feedlot cattle
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