Performance of beef heifers limit-fed growing diets containing alfalfa hay and wet corn gluten feed (2001)

Abstract

Three hundred thirty-nine crossbred beef heifers were used in a 99-day growing study to identify optimum combinations of alfalfa hay and wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) in limit-fed growing diets. Diets contained 10, 20, or 30% ground alfalfa hay, and 0, 40, or 68% Sweet Bran WCGF (dry basis) in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. An interaction occurred (P 0.10) to diets containing 20 or 30% alfalfa hay and no WCGF. Feed efficiencies for the 30% alfalfa hay and 40% WCGF diet were better (P<0.05) than the diet containing 30% alfalfa hay and no WCGF. Dry matter intake as measured two hours after feeding increased linearly (P<0.01) with increasing levels of alfalfa hay, and decreased linearly (P<0.01) with increasing levels of WCGF. This study suggests that including WCGF at 40% of the diet (dry basis) can effectively replace steam-flaked corn in limit-fed diets containing 20 or 30% alfalfa hay.