Impact of Feeding Syngenta Enogen® Feed Corn Compared to Control Corn in Different Diet Scenarios to Finishing Beef Cattle.

Stacia M Volk,James C Macdonald,Kathryn J Hanford,Hannah C Wilson,Galen E Erickson

doi:10.3390/ani11102940

Stacia M Volk, James C Macdonald + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102940

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Abstract

Simple SummaryA pooled statistical analysis of seven experiments and 200 pen observations was performed to determine the impact of feeding Enogen® corn compared to conventional corn grain in beef cattle finishing diets. When the corn was compared as dry-rolled corn in diets with lower inclusion rates of distiller grains plus solubles (less than 20% of the diet), feeding Enogen® corn improved the efficiency of beef production. That response was a 4.8% improvement due to feeding Enogen® in a corn-based diet without distiller grains but was 1.8% in diets with 18 to 20% distiller grains. Feeding Enogen® corn improved the efficiency by 4.5% in diets with another common byproduct, Sweet Bran®. Cattle performance was similar for Enogen® and conventional hybrids when processed and fed as high-moisture corn. Feeding Enogen® corn improves the gain efficiency of finishing cattle compared with conventional corn when fed as dry-rolled corn in diets with less than 20% distillers or diets that include Sweet Bran® feeds.The objective of this pooled statistical analysis was to evaluate Syngenta Enogen® Feed Corn (EFC) versus conventional corn (CON) when fed as either dry-rolled corn (DRC) or high-moisture corn (HMC) for effects on finishing beef cattle performance and carcass characteristics. Corns were evaluated in diets with byproduct inclusion rates of 0, 15, 18, 20, and 30% distiller grains or 25 and 35% Sweet Bran® (a commercial corn gluten feed product). Seven trials (n = 1856) consisting of 200 pen means comparing 26 diet treatments were analyzed using regression in a pooled analysis. When EFC was processed as DRC, the gain efficiency (G:F) improved compared with CON, but the response to feeding EFC decreased from a 4.8% improvement to no improvement compared to CON as distiller grains increased from 0 to 30%, but was significantly improved due to feeding EFC in diets with 0 to 18% distiller grains. Feeding cattle EFC as DRC increased the average daily gain (ADG) and G:F by 4.5% compared with CON corn in diets containing Sweet Bran®. No improvements in animal performance were observed when cattle were fed EFC compared to CON when processed as HMC in any situation. Feeding Enogen® corn improved the gain efficiency of finishing cattle compared with conventional corn when processed as dry-rolled corn and fed in diets with less than 20% distillers or diets that include Sweet Bran®.

Highlights

IntroductionCorn is the most widely fed grain source in finishing beef cattle diets in the United
Corn is the most widely fed grain source in finishing beef cattle diets in the UnitedStates [1] and starch is the main energy component in corn
The eight treatments utilized in this study were (1) CON fed as dry-rolled corn (DRC) with 18% distiller grains plus solubles, (2) Enogen® Feed Corn (EFC) fed as DRC with 18% distiller grains plus solubles, (3) CON fed as DRC with 35% Sweet Bran®, (4) EFC fed as DRC with 35% Sweet Bran®, (5) CON fed as high-moisture corn (HMC) with 18% distiller grains plus solubles, (6) EFC fed as HMC with 18% distiller grains plus solubles, (7) CON fed as HMC with 35% Sweet Bran®, and (8) EFC fed as HMC with 35% Sweet Bran®

Summary

Introduction

Corn is the most widely fed grain source in finishing beef cattle diets in the United. States [1] and starch is the main energy component in corn. Improving starch digestion could improve cattle performance. Different corn processing methods have been used to increase starch digestion in finishing cattle. Common corn processing methods include ensiling as high-moisture corn (HMC), rolling as dry-rolled corn (DRC), and flaking to produce steam-flaked corn. Corn processing is used to increase the digestion of starch [2,3] and improve gain efficiency. Starch digestion mainly occurs in the rumen; increased starch digestion in the rumen increases the potential for digestive disturbances [4]. New research has been focused on ways to improve starch digestion post-ruminally, which may improve performance without increasing digestive disturbances in cattle fed high-concentrate diets

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