The Effects of Wet on Growing Heifer Brewers Grain Performance

Abstract

AbstractSixty-four crossbred heifers, individually penned and fed, were used in a growing trial to evaluate four levels of wet brewers grain (WBG). A randomized block design was used to evaluate diet dry matter at four levels: 1} 0%, 2} 3%, 3} 12%, and 4} 33% WBG. The remainder of the diet included cornsilage and supplements. Feeding 33% WBG reduced (P<.05) feed intake during the trial compared to the 12% WB diet. Heifers fed the 12% WBG diet gained faster (P<.01) than heifers fed the other diets. By the end of the growing trial heifers fed either 12 or 33% WBG were more efficient (P<.001) than those fed the 3% WBG diet. Feed cost of gain was lower (P<.08) for heifers fed 12% WBG compared to those fed the 3% WBG diet. Based upon 102.3kg of wexight gain, heifers fed 3 and 33% WBG cost $4.70 and $2.95 more per head than those fed 0% WBG, while heifers fed 12% WBG cost $4.57 per head less than those fed the 0% WBG diet. Theestimated NEm and NEg value of 12% WBG was comparable to barley in growing diets.