Influence of feeding increasing level of dry or modified wet corn distillers grains plus solubles in whole corn grain-based finishing diets on growth performance, carcass traits, and feeding behavior in finishing cattle

Abstract

One hundred and two cross-bred steer calves (BW=368±6.6kg) were used in a 2×3 factorial arrangement of treatments plus a control to determine the effect of inclusion level and form of corn distillers grains plus solubles (DGS) on finishing performance, carcass characteristics, and feeding behavior using whole corn grain-based finishing diets. The DGS were fed at 0 (control), 167, 333, and 500g/kg of diet DM using dry (DDGS) or modified wet (MWDGS) DGS. All diets contained 100g/kg haylage as a forage source, and were formulated to contain at least 137g/kg CP. Individual intake and feeding behavior was measured using the Insentec system. Cattle were fed until ultrasound backfat thickness reached 10mm. Data were analyzed using GLM of SAS; treatment means were compared using contrast statements (control vs. others, DDGS vs. MWDGS, inclusion level of DGS (linear, quadratic), and interactions between form and linear and quadratic inclusion level). There were no effects (P>0.05) of dietary treatment on final BW, ADG, days on feed, dressing yield (g hot carcass weight/kg final BW), hot carcass weight, marbling score, lean yield, and lean color. Rumen pH at slaughter linearly increased (P=0.001) and liver abscess score linearly decreased (P=0.03) with increasing DGS inclusion. There were significant quadratic form×level interactions (P≤0.03) for time at feeder, time per visit, number of meals, meal size, and eating rate. Number of meals (meals/d) linearly increased (P=0.006) with increasing DGS inclusion and was greater (P=0.006) in cattle fed MWDGS than those fed DDGS. Meal size linearly decreased (P=0.002) with increasing DGS inclusion and was greater (P=0.002) in cattle fed DDGS than those fed MWDGS. Finishing performance and carcass traits were generally not affected by feeding DDGS or MWDGS up to 500g/kg diet DM in whole corn grain-based finishing diets. However, liver abscess scores were reduced with DGS inclusion and feeding behavior was influenced by form and level of DGS.