Influence of dry-rolled corn processing and increasing dried corn distillers grains plus solubles inclusion for finishing cattle on growth performance and feeding behavior1

Abstract

Sixty-four yearling steers (345 ± 4.2 kg BW) were used to study the effects of degree of dry-rolled corn processing and corn dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) inclusion on feeding and ruminating behavior, G:F, and carcass characteristics. Steers were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 experimental treatments (n = 16 per treatment): 1) coarse-rolled (2.68 mm) corn and 20% DDGS, 2) coarse-rolled corn and 40% DDGS, 3) fine-rolled (1.46 mm) corn and 20% DDGS, and 4) fine-rolled corn and 40% DDGS. Final BW and ADG were not affected by corn processing or DDGS. Dry matter intake (kg/d and % of BW) decreased (P < 0.001) and G:F increased (P < 0.001) with increasing inclusion of DDGS. Meal number increased (P ≤ 0.05) and meal size decreased (P < 0.001) with finer dry-roll corn processing and with increasing inclusion of DDGS. Drinking time decreased (P = 0.03) with finer dry-rolled corn processing and tended to increase (P = 0.06) with increased inclusion of DDGS. Rumination time while standing decreased (P = 0.03) with increased inclusion of DDGS. Increasing inclusion of DDGS from 20 to 40% decreased intake, increased G:F, and altered feeding behavior of finishing steers consuming a 90% concentrate diet without affecting carcass quality. Increasing the degree of dry-roll corn processing did not impact growth performance and did not interact with increasing inclusion of DDGS in finishing diets.