Abstract
ABSTRACTThe influence of supplement form (dry vs. liquid) on the feeding value of diets for feedlot cattle was evaluated. Treatments were: (1) dry supplement (DS); (2) liquid supplement (LS, all supplemental macro- and micro-minerals, salt, monensin and urea provided as a uniform blend with cane molasses; (3) LS minus monensin, that was provided in a 3% premix with dried distillers grains plus solubles before combination into a complete mixed diet (LS-MON) and (4) LS, except that condensed molasses solubles replaced 41% (DM basis) of the cane molasses solids (LSUF). In a 112-day trial involving 160 Holstein steers (473 ± 32 kg) cattle fed DS, LS, LS-MON and LSUF diets had similar (P > .10) ADG, DMI, feed efficiency and estimated dietary NE. The effects on characteristics of digestion were evaluate using four Holstein steers with cannulas in rumen and proximal duodenum. There were no treatment effects (P > .10) on ruminal digestion of OM, and feed N, microbial efficiency and ruminal N efficiency. It is concluded that the form of incorporation of minor dietary ingredients during batch mixing (dry premix or in combination with a liquid carrier) will not appreciably affect the feeding value of growing-finishing diets for feedlot cattle.
Highlights
In the USA, 27% of feedlots incorporate minor ingredients into growing-finishing diets in the form of non-fat liquid supplements (Samuelson et al 2016)
Animals and diets One hundred sixty Holstein steers with an average weight of 473 ± 32 kg were used in a 112-day experiment to compare the effects of dry vs. liquid supplements on growth performance, estimated dietary net energy and carcass characteristics
Four dietary treatments were compared: (1) dry supplement (DS, all supplemental macro- and micro-minerals, salt, monensin and urea added to complete mixed diet as a dry premix); (2) liquid supplement (LS, all supplemental macro- and micro-minerals, salt, monensin and urea provided as a uniform blend with cane molasses; Westway Feed Products, El Centro, CA); (3) LS minus monensin that was provided as a 3% premix with dried distillers grains plus solubles before combination into a complete mixed diet (LS-MON), and (4) LS, except that ultraferm replaced 41% (DM basis) of the cane molasses solids (LSUF)
Summary
In the USA, 27% of feedlots incorporate minor ingredients into growing-finishing diets in the form of non-fat liquid supplements (Samuelson et al 2016). Compared to conventional dry ingredients, the liquid supplements carriers provide cost competitive nutrients, and may contribute to dust reduction through adherence of fines to other components of diets (Oelker et al 2009). They facilitate the incorporation of minor ingredients (urea, salt, minerals and feed additives), and may potentially reduce sorting and enhance uniform intake of complete mixed diets (Firkins et al 2008; DeVries and Gill 2012). The objective of present study was to directly compare these two methods of incorporating minor ingredients into complete mixed diets on growth performance, carcass characteristics and digestive function of feedlot cattle
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