Abstract
Three hundred and fifty-eight crossbred beef steers (average initial weight 701 lb) were fed finishing diets containing 0, 5, 10, or 15% full-fat corn germ to evaluate effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Steers were placed into dirt-surfaced feedlot pens (12 to 16 head each) in December 2000 with a total of six pens per diet. Average daily gains during the 155-day finishing period were 2.83, 2.99, 3.01 and 2.93 lb/day for cattle fed 0, 5, 10, and 15% corn germ, respectively. Dry matter intakes decreased linearly (P<0.05) with increasing concentrations of full-fat corn germ in the diet. Relative to cattle fed no corn germ, efficiencies were improved by 8, 11, and 9% for cattle fed 5, 10, or 15% germ, respectively. Feeding corn germ also reduced the incidence of liver abscesses (P<0.05) compared to cattle fed the control diet. Dried, full-fat corn germ can be used successfully in cattle finishing diets to increase energy density and animal performance.
Highlights
Fats and oils are commonly added to cattle finishing diets to increase energy density and to improve efficiency of gain
Steers were placed into dirt-surfaced feedlot pens (12 to 16 head each) in December 2000 with a total of six pens per diet
Feeding corn germ reduced the incidence of liver abscesses (P
Summary
Fats and oils are commonly added to cattle finishing diets to increase energy density and to improve efficiency of gain. The wet germ is dried to a final moisture content of 3 to 5% and typically contains 46 to 54% fat and 12 to 15% protein (dry matter basis). Fullfat corn germ is free-flowing and can be handled with conventional bins, augers, and pneumatic conveying systems. It has a bulk density of 22 to 26 lb/ft and, as a result of its low moisture content, can be stored for extended periods without risk of oxidative rancidity. Our objectives were to measure the effects of dried, full-fat corn germ on growth performance and carcass attributes of cattle fed diets containing dryrolled corn and wet corn gluten feed
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