Corn Gluten Feed Research Articles

Effect of harvest method and ammoniation of baled corn residue on intake and digestibility in lambs.

To determine the effect of harvest method and ammoniation on both in vivo and in vitro digestibility of corn residue, six corn residue treatments consisting of three different harvest methods either with or without anhydrous ammonia chemical treatment (5.5% of dry matter [DM]) were evaluated. The harvest methods included conventional rake-and-bale (CONV) and New Holland Cornrower with eight rows (8ROW) or two rows (2ROW) of corn stalks chopped into the windrow containing the tailings (leaf, husk, and upper stem) from eight rows of harvested corn (ammoniated bales of each harvest method resulted in treatments COVAM, 8RAM, and 2RAM). Nine crossbred wether lambs (49.2 ± 0.5 kg BW) were fed 64.2% corn residue, 29.8% wet corn gluten feed, 3.3% smooth-bromegrass hay, and 2.8% mineral mix (DM basis) in a 9 × 6 Latin rectangle metabolism study with a 3 × 2 factorial treatment to measure total tract disappearance. Six 21-d periods consisted of 14-d adaptation and 7-d total fecal collection, and lambs were fed ad libitum (110% of the previous day’s DM intake [DMI]) during days 1 to 12 and reduced to 95% of ad libitum intake for days 13 to 21. There was a harvest method by ammoniation interaction (P < 0.01) for ad libitum DMI (days 7 to 11). Ammoniation increased (P < 0.01) intake across all harvest methods, where 2RAM DMI was 4.1%, COVAM was 3.6%, and 8RAM was 3.1%, which were all different (P < 0.01) from each other, but all untreated residues were consumed at 2.6% of BW (P ≥ 0.92) regardless of harvest method. There were no interactions (P > 0.34) between harvest method and ammoniation for any total tract or in vitro digestibility estimate. Harvest method affected (P < 0.04) DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility, where 2ROW was greater than both CONV and 8ROW, which did not differ. The organic matter (OM) digestibility (P = 0.12) and digestible energy (DE; P = 0.30) followed the same numerical trend. Both in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) and in vitro OM digestibility (IVOMD) of the residue were affected (P < 0.01) by harvest method, with 2ROW being greater (P < 0.01) than both CONV and 8ROW. For IVDMD, 8ROW was not (P = 0.77) different from CONV, but 8ROW IVOMD was lower (P = 0.03) than CONV. Ammoniation improved (P < 0.01) DM, OM, NDF, and ADF digestibility of all harvest methods, resulting in a 26% increase (P < 0.01) in DE due to ammoniation. Similar digestibility improvements were observed in vitro with ammoniation improving IVDMD and IVOMD by 23% and 20%, respectively. Both selective harvest methods and ammoniation can improve the feeding value of baled corn residue.

Effects of spring administration of extended-release eprinomectin on fescue toxicosis, performance, and reproduction of fall-born beef heifers.

The objective of this experiment was to assess the effects of eprinomectin, an extended-release injectable parasiticide, on fescue toxicosis and its impacts on beef heifer performance and reproduction. Fall-born Angus × Simmental heifers (age = 246.3 ± 22.4 d; 264.8 ± 21.1 kg body weight [BW]) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: extended-release eprinomectin injection (ERE; n = 100) or control (CON; saline; n = 99). Treatments were administered at a rate of 1 mL/50 kg BW. Prior to experiment, heifers were dosed with oral fenbendazole to minimize parasite load. All heifers grazed endophyte-infected tall fescue as a single group and were offered a 50:50 supplement mix of corn gluten feed and soybean hulls (2.7 kg as fed per heifer per day). Body condition scores (BCS), BW, hair coat score (HCS), blood, and fecal samples were collected throughout the experiment. A subset of 40 heifers were randomly selected (20 per treatment) to assess respiration rate (RR). On d 138, heifers began a 14-d controlled internal drug release + prostaglandin synchronization protocol. Following artificial insemination (AI), heifers were exposed to five bulls for 71 d. On d 214 and 291, AI and overall pregnancy rates, respectively, were determined. There was a treatment × time interaction (P < 0.01) for BW, BCS, and average daily gain (ADG). The ERE heifers had greater (P < 0.04) BW and BCS compared to CON heifers from d 55 and 112, respectively. In addition, ERE heifers had greater (P ≤ 0.04) ADG from d 0 to 56, 56 to 112, 112 to 171, and 171 to 214; however CON heifers had greater (P < 0.01) ADG from d 214 to 291. There was no treatment × time interaction or treatment difference (P ≥ 0.27) for HCS, RR, and serum prolactin concentrations. However, serum prolactin decreased (P < 0.01) in all heifers over time. There was a treatment × time interaction (P<0.01) for fecal egg counts (FEC). The FEC did not differ (P ≥ 0.32) on d −1 or 55; however, ERE heifers had decreased (P < 0.01) FEC compared with CON heifers on d 111 (1.52 vs. 13.56 eggs per gram). The ERE heifers tended (P = 0.10) to have greater AI pregnancy rates (69% vs. 58%) and had greater (P = 0.01) overall pregnancy rates (84% vs. 68%) than CON heifers. Spring administration of extended-release eprinomectin improved BW, ADG, BCS, and AI and overall pregnancy rates in fall-born beef heifers. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear, as there were minimal to no differences in HCS, RR, serum prolactin, and FEC.

PSI-12 Inclusion of dried corn gluten feed in a concentrate supplement for grass silage-fed steers improves the fatty acid profile of beef.

PSI-12 Inclusion of dried corn gluten feed in a concentrate supplement for grass silage-fed steers improves the fatty acid profile of beef.

56 Determining the energy value of dried corn gluten feed in forage-based beef rations.

56 Determining the energy value of dried corn gluten feed in forage-based beef rations.

Digestibility of phosphorous in cereals and co-products for animal feed.

Feed ingredients used in swine diets contain various levels and availabilities of nutrients. Nutritional precision evaluation of each ingredient is necessary for formulating diets of pigs. Especially, phosphorous (P) is one of important nutrients for metabolism. However, current data of P digestibility were most apparent digestibility. Therefore, this study was aimed to estimate the coefficient of total tract standardized digestibility (CTTSD) of P in cereals and various co-products used in pig diet. Twelve barrows (initial BW ± SD, 46.70 ± 3.21 kg) were used in this experiment. The experimental design was a 12 × 8 incomplete Latin square with 12 diets and 8 periods. Experimental diets were consisted of barley, wheat, lupine kernel (LK), soybean meal (SBM), almond meal (AM), corn gluten meal (CGM), corn gluten feed from China (CGF-C), corn gluten feed from Korea (CGF-C), wheat bran (WB), rice bran (RB), lupine hull (LH) and P-free diet. The CTTAD of Ca was higher in AM than RB and CGF-K. The LK and CGM showed greater CTTSD of P than RB and LH. In conclusion, our results indicated that the cereals and co-products as P sources were the ideally used as an ingredient in mixed diets of the growing-finishing pigs.

Effect of particle size of a mash concentrate on behavior, digestibility, and macroscopic and microscopic integrity of the digestive tract in Holstein bulls fed intensively.

Twenty-four individually housed Holstein bulls (456 ± 6.9 kg of body weight and 292 ± 1.4 d of age) were enrolled in a complete randomized experiment involving four dietary treatments to evaluate the potential effect of mash particle size of diets in finishing beef diets on behavior, digestibility, and macro- and microscopic changes of the digestive tract. The four treatments were all ingredients sieved at 2 mm (HM2), all ingredients sieved at 3 mm (HM3), all ingredients, but corn, sieved at 2 mm and corn at 10 mm (HM210), and all ingredients, but corn, sieved a 3 mm and corn at 10 mm (HM310). For the HM210 and HM310 mashes, corn ground at 10 mm was mixed with the remaining concentrate ingredients ground at 2 or 3 mm, respectively. Concentrate (36% corn, 19% barley, 15% corn gluten feed, 8.4% wheat; 14% crude protein, 3.28 Mcal of ME/kg) consumption was recorded daily and straw consumption weekly. To register behavior, animals were filmed for 24 h on a weekly basis. At day 49 of study nutrient digestibility was estimated. Bulls were slaughtered after 56 d of exposure to treatments. Digestive tract and hepatic lesions were recorded, and tissue samples from the digestive tract collected. Geometric mean particle size was 0.61 ± 0.041, 0.76 ± 0.041, 0.62 ± 0.041, 0.73 ± 0.041 mm, and percentage of particles between 0.5 and 1 mm were 68 ± 2.9, 46 ± 1.7, 46 ± 5.0, and 39 ± 3.3 g/100 g for HM2, HM210, HM3, and HM310, respectively. Performance, total tract digestibility, or digestive tract integrity did not differ when ingredients were ground at 2 or 3 mm. Grinding corn with a hammer mill sieve size of 10 mm reduced feed efficiency and decreased total tract apparent dry matter, and organic matter digestibility compared with treatments from which all ingredients were ground at 2 or 3 mm. Straw intake was greatest and starch digestibility was least in the HM210 treatment. Last, only minor differences among treatments in rumen wall color, rumen papillae fusion, and histological conformation were observed. In summary, to improve feed efficiency, grinding corn at 10 mm is not recommended. In the present study, grinding procedure did not have a great effect on behavior and/or digestive tract health; however, under commercial conditions (group housing), grinding procedures that cause small mean particle sizes or particle size heterogeneity may increase the risk to suffer digestive tract lesions.

Concentration of vitamins in the 13 feed ingredients commonly used in pig diets

The concentration of vitamins was determined in 143 samples of 13 feed ingredients commonly used in pig diets. The ingredients included corn and four corn co-products (corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn gluten meal, corn germ meal and corn gluten feed), wheat and two wheat co-products (wheat bran and wheat shorts), and five oilseed meals (soybean meal, rapeseed meal, peanut meal, sunflower seed meal and cottonseed meal). For corn and corn co-products, the content of β-carotene in corn gluten meal (11.10 mg/kg) was much greater than that in corn (1.62 mg/kg) and other corn products (2.16, 0.36 or 0.56 mg/kg, P < 0.01), whereas the content of choline was the least (80.04 mg/kg) in corn, and corn gluten feed had the greatest concentration of choline (1525.18 mg/kg). The greatest concentration of vitamin E was in corn DDGS (39.24 mg/kg). The concentration of niacin in corn was much lower than that in its co-products (3.68 vs. 23.23, 29.42, 36.46 and 52.65 mg/kg, P < 0.01). The contents of β-carotene were very low in wheat, wheat co-products and oilseed meals. The concentration of most of vitamins were greatest in wheat bran and least in wheat except that wheat shorts contained lower choline niacin (P < 0.01). For oilseed meal, the content of vitamin E was much greater (P < 0.01) in rapeseed meal (8.66 mg/kg) and cottonseed meal (10.57 mg/kg) than that in soybean meal (2.42 mg/kg), peanut meal (0.67 mg/kg) and sunflower seed meal (1.04 mg/kg). The concentration of niacin was low in cottonseed meal (9.15 mg/kg), and greatest in sunflower seed meal (183.91 mg/kg). The rapeseed meal (2276.32 mg/kg) had the greatest concentration of choline, while sunflower seed meal had the least choline (399.96 mg/kg, P < 0.01). Compared numerically, corn and its co-products were rich in β-carotene and vitamin E and oilseed co-products were rich in choline. These results indicate that the variability in concentration of vitamins among feed ingredients is very great. Therefore, careful attention must be paid to the balance of vitamins when these ingredients are used in pig diets.

Composición química del ensilaje de maíz con aditivos

Corn silage is one of the most conserved feed used in animal production during drought. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of corn silage with different additives. The design was randomized, in a 3x3 factorial scheme (three values of the addition of wet corn gluten feed and two additives + one without additive), with three replications, totaling 27 experimental units. We used analysis of variance with 5% significance and Scott-Knott's test for the data obtained. The values of total digestible nutrients and dry matter increased proportionally to the co-product inclusions in the silages with additives. The crude protein and neutral detergent fiber presented the same behavior, while the values of acid detergent fiber were reduced in the silages with 30% of the co-product. Silages treated with benzoate showed higher ash content. Lower values for ethereal extract content were found in the silages without inclusion of the co-product. The use of 15 and 30% of wet corn gluten feed had no effect on the chemical composition of the silage.

Distribution Analysis of Twelve Mycotoxins in Corn and Corn-Derived Products by LC-MS/MS to Evaluate the Carry-Over Ratio during Wet-Milling.

This study investigated the distribution of twelve mycotoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2; ochratoxin A; fumonisins B1 and B2; deoxynivalenol; nivalenol; zearalenone; T-2 toxin; and HT-2 toxin) in corn and corn by-products (corn bran, cornstarch, corn gluten, corn gluten feed, corn germ, light steep water, and corn steep liquor) produced by wet-milling in Korea. Fifty-two samples were collected from three factories producing cornstarch and other corn by-products. The samples were pretreated on an immunoaffinity column (IAC), and then the levels of the 12 mycotoxins were analyzed simultaneously by liquid chromatography-coupled triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Fusarium mycotoxins were mainly found in raw corn and corn gluten feed samples. Other mycotoxins—such as aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, and HT-2 toxin—were detected in tiny amounts below the limit of quantification (LOQ) in cornstarch, corn germ, and corn bran. Ochratoxin A and nivalenol were mainly carried over into cornstarch. Aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, and the fumonisins were concentrated in corn gluten feed. Zearalenone was evenly distributed in all corn by-products except cornstarch during the milling process.

EFFECT OF FEEDING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CORN GLUTEN FEED ON DIGESTION COEFFICIENTS, FEED INTAKE, SOME BLOOD AND RUMEN PARAMETERS IN FRIESIAN DAIRY COWS RATIONS

Twelve lactating Friesian cows with the average body weight of 435-570 kg were used in this study. All animals in this study were in the 2nd to 4th lactation season were randomly distributed into four similar groups (three cows for each group). All groups were individually fed according to NRC (2001) recommendations. The four experimental rations were formulated as follows: control: 52% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) (40% corn grain, 30% wheat bran, 23% undecorticated cottonseed meal, 5% molasses, 0.5% salt and 1.5% limestone) + 20% corn silage (CS) + 28% rice straw (RS), experimental ration 1 (Exp.1): 52% CFM (35% corn grain, 30% wheat bran, 10% corn gluten feed (CG), 18% undecorticated cottonseed meal, 5% molasses, 0.5% salt and 1.5% limestone) + 20% CS + 28% RS, experimental ration 2 (Exp.2): 52% CFM ( 32.5% corn grain, 30% wheat bran, 15% CG, 15.5% undecorticated cottonseed meal, 5% molass, 0.5% salt and 1.5% limestone) + 20% CS + 28% RS and experimental ration 3 (Exp.3): 52% CFM (30% corn grain, 30% wheat bran, 20% CG, 13% undecorticated cottonseed meal, 5% molasses, 0.5% salt and 1.5% limestone) + 20% CS + 28% RS. Four digestibility trials were conducted to determine nutrients digestibility coefficients and nutritive values of the experimental rations. Each digestibility trial consisted of 15 days preliminary period followed by 7 days collected period. Results showed that the dry matter intakes (% body weight) were higher with feeding on Exp.1 or Exp.2 (3.38 and 3.51, respectively) than feeding on control or Exp.3 (3.25 and 3.26, respectively). The apparent digestibility of CP was significantly (P<0.05) higher with feeding on control (74.60%) than feeding on Exp.1, Exp.2, and Exp.3 (67.88, 62.12 and 64.57% respectively). The TDN% values were 72.74, 70.18, 66.45 and 68.8% with feeding on control; Exp.1, Exp.2 and Exp.3 ,respectively, and the same trends were also with ME (Mcal/ kg), ME (Mj/ kg) and NEL (Mcal/kg). Total tract digestibility (%) of starch was lower for the low starch diets, but ruminal digestion (%) of starch was not affected by starch concentration. The pH values were ranged from 6.16 to 7.59 with different treatments and at all measuring times. The mean value was higher (P<0.05) with feeding on control (6.97) and lower with feeding on Exp.1 (6.51), while there were no significant differences when feeding on Exp.2 (6.73) and Exp.3 (6.73) or among Exp.1 and Exp.2 or Exp.3. The mean values showed that the TVFA’s concentration was significantly (P<0.05) higher in control group (4.43 ml eq. /100 ml RL) than feeding on Exp.1 or Exp.2 or Exp.3 (4.08, 4.01 and 4.18 ml eq. /100 ml RL, respectively), but there was no significant effect among Exp.1, Exp.2 and Exp.3. Ruminal NH3-N concentration was higher (P<0.05) with feeding on the control or Exp.1 (10.50 and 10.25 mg /100 ml, respectively) than feeding on Exp.2 (8.42), but there was no significant effect with feeding on Exp.3 (9.58 mg /100 ml) or control or Exp.1 or Exp.2. The effective neutral detergent fiber (eNDF) values ranged from 25.58 to 36.63%, the eNDF was higher (P<0.05) with feeding on control (36.63%) than feeding on Exp.1 or Exp.2 or Exp.3 (25.58, 30.92 and 30.78 % respectively). The mean value of fibrolytic bacteria was higher (P<0.05) with feeding on Exp.2 (14.7x 105 CFU/ml) than feeding on control or Exp.1 or Exp.3 (7.75, 8.12 and 9.65x 105 CFU/ ml, respectively). On the other hand, the amylolytic bacteria count was ranged from 1.93 to 8.47x 105 CFU/ ml with different treatments. The mean value was the highest (P<0.05) with feeding on the control (6.25 x 105 CFU/ ml) than feeding on Exp.1 or Exp.2 or Exp.3 (3.93, 2.89 and 4.11x 105 CFU/ ml respectively). The insulin concentration was higher (P<0.05) with feeding on Exp.3 (0.25 ng/ ml) than feeding on control or Exp.1 or Exp.2 which were have similar concentration (0.23 ng/ ml). The triglycerides concentrations were ranged from 106.06 to 343.73 mg /100ml with different treatments at all times, the mean values were higher (P<0.05) with feeding on control and Exp.1 (246.44 and 231.39 mg/ 100ml, respectively) than feeding on Exp.2 and Exp.3 (196.21 and 209.13 mg/ 100ml, respectively). The total protein concentrations were ranged from 4.19 to 8.01 g/ 100ml with feeding on the experimental rations at all times. The urea concentrations were increased with Exp.1 or Exp.2 or Exp.3 than feeding on control at all times. The mean values were higher (P<0.05) with feeding on Exp.2 or Exp.3 (21.68 and 23.24 g/ 100ml, respectively) than feeding on control or Exp.1 (16.6 and 18.67 g/ 100ml respectively). Corn grain and undecorticated cottonseed meal can be replaced by 15% corn gluten feed are often considered providing the proper amounts of ruminally fermentable carbohydrates.

Performance-enhancing technologies for steers grazing tall fescue pastures with varying levels of toxicity1.

The objective of this study was to evaluate a combination of best management practices strategy for steer calves grazing tall fescue pastures with a range of toxicity. The experiment was conducted over 2 grazing seasons (fall 2015 for 91 d and spring 2016 for 84 d). Steers (n = 80 within season, body weight [BW] = 197.0 ± 15.43 kg [fall] and 116.9 ± 4.88 [spring]) were stocked at 2.45 and 4.1 calves/ha in fall and spring, respectively, to 16 pastures with varying levels of toxicity based on interim ergovaline (EV) concentration within season. Pastures were assigned to either mineral (MIN, n = 8) only management (MGMT) or a cumulative MGMT (CM, n = 8). The CM treatment included an implant containing 40-mg trenbolone acetate, 8-mg estradiol, and 29-mg tylosin tartrate (Component TE-G with Tylan, Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN), 150 mg/calf daily monensin (Elanco Animal Health), and 1% BW of a 50:50 corn gluten feed:soybean hull supplement (as-is basis). Data were analyzed within season using pasture as the experimental unit. For fall and spring, the EV concentration was 1,476 ± 883.2 and 1,173 ± 620.6 ppb, respectively, and ranged from 90 to 2,180 ppb. During the fall, forage allowance did not differ (P = 0.76) between CM and MIN. In the spring, however, forage allowance only differed for the month of June (P ≤ 0.05, 2.55 vs. 3.22 ± 0.177 kg DM/kg BW, for MIN and CM, respectively). In the fall, average daily gain (ADG) responded to the simple effects of EV (P = 0.01) and MGMT (P < 0.001), and ADG for MIN steers was explained by ADG = 0.41 - 0.000064 × EV, whereas ADG for CM was explained by ADG = 1.05 - 0.000064 × EV. In the spring, there was an EV × MGMT interaction (P = 0.03) for ADG. For MIN, ADG = 0.80 - 0.000278 × EV, whereas for CM, ADG = 0.94 + 0.000001835 × EV. In spring, the ADG response to CM relative to MIN increased as EV increased. The CM strategy resulted in lower blood urea nitrogen than MIN in fall and spring (P < 0.01), but prolactin and serum Cu were not affected by MGMT in either season. In conclusion, performance was improved within the fescue belt by implementing feeding strategies using implants, ionophores, and supplementation, but a detailed economic analysis is warranted. Further research is needed to evaluate CM programs under varied stocking rates and in combination with dilution of endophyte-infected fescue pastures with nontoxic grasses or legumes.

Effect of alpha-tocopherol acetate and ascorbic acid on performance, carcass traits, and incidence and severity of liver abscesses in feedlot cattle.

Liver abscesses (LA) in cattle negatively affect feedlot performance by decreasing ADG, feed intake, and G:F ratio. Abscessed livers are condemned and abdominal adhesions associated with LA can result in extensive carcass trimming during harvest, further compounding adverse economic impact. Given regulatory changes pertaining to the use of in-feed antibiotics in cattle production, there is growing interest in alternatives to antibiotics for LA control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of antioxidants, crystalline ascorbate (AOX), and alpha-tocopherol acetate, for mitigation of LA in feedlot cattle. Yearling crossbred heifers (n = 392; initial BW 481 ± 9.4 kg) were blocked by previous treatment and allocated randomly to 24 dirt-surfaced feedlot pens (10 m × 35 m) with 14 heifers/pen. Heifers were weighed, implanted with Component TE-200 implants, and placed into feeding pens. Finishing diets consisted of 60% steam-flaked corn, 30% wet corn gluten feed, 8% alfalfa, and 2% supplement (DM basis) that provided 300 mg/d monensin, and either 200 IU/d alpha-tocopherol acetate (CTL) or 2,000 IU/d alpha-tocopherol acetate plus 500 mg/d crystalline AOX. Heifers were fed once daily ad libitum for 94 d, then weighed and transported 450 km to a commercial abattoir for harvest. Hot carcass weight and incidence/severity of LA were determined the day of harvest, and carcass traits were evaluated following 36 h of refrigeration. Compared to CTL, feeding AOX tended to decrease DMI (10.66 vs. 10.31 kg/d; P = 0.08) and improve G:F (0.1204 vs. 0.1254; P = 0.12), but did not impact ADG, incidence of LA (25.6 vs. 23.5% for CTL and AOX, respectively), HCW (828.4 vs. 830.5 kg for CTL and AOX, respectively), or other carcass traits (P > 0.20). In conclusion, feeding antioxidants are not a viable alternative to decrease incidence of LA in finishing cattle.

Conserved forage-based systems for backgrounding weaned beef calves.

A 45-d backgrounding study was conducted to compare animal performance, forage nutritive value, digestion dynamics, and diet costs of conserved forage systems for weaned beef calves. One hundred and eight weaned Angus × Simmental beef calves (initial BW 279 ± 34 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three diets (n = 3 pens/treatment): 1) free-choice annual ryegrass (RB; cv. ‘Marshall’) baleage and 4 kg of a 50/50 mixture of pelleted soybean hulls and corn gluten feed, 2) free-choice Tifton 85 bermudagrass (BH) and 3 kg of a 50/50 mixture of pelleted soybean hulls and corn gluten feed, or 3) free-choice corn silage (CS; cv. Pioneer P1662YHR) and 2 kg of a 85% cracked corn and 15% cottonseed meal mixture. Diets were formulated to achieve a target gain of 0.9 kg/d based on the NRC (2000) requirement for a 270 kg growing calf. Animal performance (initial BW, final BW, and ADG) was measured on days 0 and 45 of the study. Forage nutritive value and an in vitro digestion trial were conducted to evaluate supplementation effects on forage diet digestion dynamics. Data were analyzed using PROC Mixed in SAS 9.4 as a completely randomized design. Pen was the experimental unit. Mean initial and final BW of the animals did not differ (P = 0.50 and P = 0.99, respectively) across treatments. Calf ADG for RB, BH, and CS diets were 0.61, 0.72, and 0.72 kg/d, respectively, and did not differ across treatments (P = 0.57). Based on these results, these forage options supported a similar level of gain when used for backgrounding beef calves. Forage in vitro DM digestibility differed 48 h after digestion, and BH + 50:50 had greater 48-h digestibility than when unsupplemented, which may be related to complementary forage-supplement interactions. In diets containing RB and CS, digestibility was greater with no supplementation at the 48-h time point. These data support the observation that supplementation type and level influence conserved forage diet digestibility compared with forage alone. The cost of feeding a baleage-based diet in this system was higher ($1.37/d) than CS or BH diets ($1.02 and $0.95/d, respectively). Results suggest that RB baleage-based diets may support a similar level of gain to BH or CS diets in growing beef calves, but supplement type, level, and ration costs should be evaluated when determining cost-effective backgrounding options in the Southeastern United States.

Effects of source and level of dietary energy supplementation on in vitro digestibility and methane production from tall fescue-based diets

There is a lack of information about the effect of different sources, levels, and the mixtures of energy supplements commonly fed to cattle grazing tall fescue. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate different common energy sources for beef cattle grazing tall fescue using an in vitro fermentation system. Four ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (571 ± 16.1 kg BW) were fed tall fescue hay once daily and served as donors of rumen contents for an in vitro fermentation experiment. Treatments were tall fescue hay (CON), soybean hulls (SBH), corn gluten feed (CGF), corn (CORN), or combinations (SBH + CGF, SBH + CORN, CGF + CORN, SBH + CGF + CORN) of these. Flasks were incubated for 48 h and then assessed for digestion by measuring true DM digestibility, VFA and ammonia concentrations, and total gas and methane production. Supplemental energy sources did not affect total VFA concentration, ammonia concentration, valerate proportion, isobutyrate proportion, isovalerate proportion, or acetate:propionate ratio. True digestibility and digestible energy were generally greater than CON (Table 3; P < 0.001) in all CORN containing treatments. The CORN (P < 0.001) and CGF + CORN (P = 0.023) treatments had a lower acetate proportion than CON. Propionate proportion was reduced by CORN (P < 0.001). Corn grain supplementation increased butyrate proportion in all corn-containing treatments (P < 0.035). All treatments containing energy supplements increased methane production and CH4-E (P < 0.027). The DE loss from CH4-E was increased in CORN, SBH + CGF, SBH + CORN, CGF + CORN, and SBH + CGF + CORN (P < 0.01). Corn grain supplementation at low levels (≤0.20 diet DM) can improve diet utilization by increasing digestibility and energetic efficiency to improve beef cattle production.

Net energy content of rice bran, defatted rice bran, corn gluten feed, and corn germ meal fed to growing pigs using indirect calorimetry.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of increased fiber content in diets on heat production (HP) and NE:ME ratio and to determine the NE content and NE:ME ratio of full-fat rice bran (FFRB), defatted rice bran (DFRB), corn gluten feed (CGF), and corn germ meal (CGM) fed to growing barrows using indirect calorimetry (IC). Thirty growing barrows (28.5 ± 2.4 kg BW) were allotted in a completely randomized design to 5 dietary treatments that included a corn-soybean meal basal diet and 4 experimental diets with a constant ratio of corn and soybean meal (difference method) containing 30% FFRB, DFRB, CGF, and CGF. Pigs were housed in individual metabolism crates for 20 d including 14-d adaptation to the diet and 6 d to determine the HP and total collection of feces and urine in respiration chambers. Pigs were fed their respective diets at 550 kcal ME·kg BW0.60-1·d-1 on the basis of BW measured on days 0, 7, and 14. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, GE, and OM were greater (P < 0.01) in pigs fed the basal diet. The ATTD of DM, GE, and OM in pigs fed the DFRB diet were lesser (P < 0.01) when compared with those fed the basal and FFRB diets. The ATTD of ether extract (EE) in pigs fed the FFRB diet was greater (P < 0.01) compared with those fed basal, DFRB, CGF, and CGM diets. The HP adjusted for the same ME intake was greater (P < 0.01) in pigs fed the DFRB, CGF, and CGM diets compared with those fed basal and FFRB diets. The NE:ME ratio in pigs fed the FFRB diet was greater (P < 0.01) when compared with those fed the DFRB, CGF, and CGM diets. The NE content of FFRB, DFRB, CGF, and CGM determined using the IC method were 2,952, 1,100, 1,747, and 2,079 kcal/kg DM, respectively. The NE content of FFRB, CGF, and CGM determined using the IC method were 3.5%, 3.8%, and 1.8% greater, respectively, than the predicted values, whereas NE content of DFRB determined using the IC method was 2.1% lower than the predicted values. In conclusion, pigs fed the fiber-rich ingredients had greater HP and lower nutrient digestibility. However, pigs fed FFRB diets containing greater fat content had a lower heat increment and, therefore, higher utilization efficiency. The NE:ME ratio ranged from 71.6% to 82.4%. The NE of FFRB, DFRB, CGF, and CGM determined using the IC method were 2,952, 1,100, 1,747, and 2,079 kcal/kg DM, respectively.

Effects of feeding high-moisture corn stover to gestating and lactating beef cows as an alternative to hay and corn silage on performance and reproduction

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to evaluate ensiled high-moisture corn stover as an alternative forage for beef cows. In Exp. 1, multiparous, gestating Simmental and Angus × Simmental cows (n = 96) were limit fed 1 of 3 treatments: (1) 60% high-moisture corn stover, 25% ground cornstalks, and 15% corn gluten feed (HMCS); (2) 60% corn silage, 25% ground cornstalks, and 15% corn gluten feed (SIL); or (3) 60% hay, 25% ground cornstalks, and 15% corn gluten feed (HY) from 108 ± 14 to 38 ± 14 d prepartum. In Exp. 2, lactating Simmental and Simmental × Angus cows (n = 79) were limit fed 1 of 2 treatments at calving: (1) 75% high-moisture corn stover and 25% dried distillers grains (HMCS2) or (2) 70% corn silage and 30% dried distillers grains (SIL2). Diets were limit fed to achieve NASEM (2016) requirements for maintenance and lactation. In Exp. 1, BW gain was greater (P

Net energy content of rice bran, corn germ meal, corn gluten feed, peanut meal, and sunflower meal in growing pigs.

ObjectiveThe objective of this experiment was to determine the net energy (NE) content of full-fat rice bran (FFRB), corn germ meal (CGM), corn gluten feed (CGF), solvent-extracted peanut meal (PNM), and dehulled sunflower meal (SFM) fed to growing pigs using indirect calorimetry or published prediction equations.MethodsTwelve growing barrows with an average initial body weight (BW) of 32.4±3.3 kg were allotted to a replicated 3×6 Youden square design with 3 successive periods and 6 diets. During each period, pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for 16 d, which included 7 days for adaptation. On d 8, the pigs were transferred to the respiration chambers and fed one of the 6 diets at 2.0 MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/kg BW0.6/d. Total feces and urine were collected and daily heat production was measured from d 9 to d 13. On d 14 and d15, pigs were fed at their maintenance energy requirement level. On the last day pigs were fasted and fasting heat production was measured.ResultsThe NE of FFRB, CGM, CGF, PNM, and SFM measured by indirect calorimetry method was 12.33, 8.75, 7.51, 10.79, and 6.49 MJ/kg dry matter (DM), respectively. The NE/ME ratios ranged from 67.2% (SFM) to 78.5% (CGF). The NE values for the 5 ingredients calculated according to the prediction equations were 12.22, 8.55, 6.79, 10.51, and 6.17 MJ/kg DM, respectively.ConclusionThe NE values were the highest for FFRB and PNM and the lowest in the corn co-products and SFM. The average NE of the 5 ingredients measured by indirect calorimetry method in the current study was greater than values predicted from NE prediction equations (0.32 MJ/kg DM).

Effects of gradual reduction in frequency of energy supplementation on growth and immunity of beef steers.

This study evaluated the effects of gradual reduction in frequency of energy supplementation following vaccination on growth and measurements of innate and humoral immunity of beef steers. At 14-d postweaning (d 0), Angus steers (n = 42; 200 ± 5 kg of BW; 175 ± 4 d of age) were stratified by BW and age, and randomly assigned into 1 of 14 drylot pens (three steers/pen). From d 0 to 42, steers were provided ad libitum ground tall fescue hay (57% TDN, 13% CP of DM basis) and supplemented with concentrate at 1% of BW (50:50 soybean hulls and corn gluten feed; 71% TDN, 15% CP of DM basis). Treatments were randomly assigned to pens, and consisted of similar weekly concentrate DM supplementation (1% of BW multiplied by 7 d) that was divided and offered daily from d 0 to 42 (7X; 4 pens), 3 times weekly from d 0 to 42 (3X; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; 5 pens), or daily from d 0 to 15 and then 3 times weekly from d 16 to 42 (7-3X; 5 pens). Steers were vaccinated against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), parainfluenza-3 (PI-3), Mannheimia haemolytica, and Clostridium on d 0 and 15. Individual shrunk BW was collected on d 0 and 42, following 12 h of feed and water withdrawal. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture 4 h after concentrate supplementation on d 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, and 42. Mean BW, ADG, G:F, hay DMI, and total DMI over the 42-d period did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.26). Plasma concentrations of cortisol and mean serum BVDV-1a titers also did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.35), but overall plasma haptoglobin concentrations were greater for 3X vs. 7-3X and 7X steers (P ≤ 0.05; 0.44, 0.37, and 0.33 ± 0.026 mg/mL, respectively). Also, 3X steers had less mean serum IBR titers (P ≤ 0.05; 0.29 vs. 0.88 and 0.79 ± 0.179 log2, respectively) and less seroconversion to PI-3 virus on d 15 than 7-3X and 7X steers (P ≤ 0.05; 36.0 vs. 76.6 and 57.8 ± 8.24%, respectively). In summary, a gradual reduction in frequency of energy supplementation during a 42-d preconditioning period did not negatively impact growth, but alleviated indices of inflammation and prevented reductions in vaccine response against BVDV-1a and PI-3 viruses compared to steers offered concentrate 3 times weekly during the entire study.

Effects of timing of vaccination relative to weaning and post-weaning frequency of energy supplementation on growth and immunity of beef calves.

A 2 × 2 factorial design study evaluated the impact of pre- vs. post-weaning vaccination and different post-weaning frequency of energy supplementation (daily vs. 3X weekly) on growth and immunity of beef calves. At 14 d before weaning (d -14), 48 Angus calves (24 steers and 24 heifers; 244 ± 33 kg; 196 ± 20 d) were stratified by BW and age, and randomly assigned to receive vaccinations against bovine viral diarrhea virus 1a (BVDV-1a) and parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) on d -14 and 0 (PRE) or 7 and 21 (POS), relative to weaning. Calves were weaned on d 0 and offered daily concentrate DM supplementation (50:50 soybean hulls and corn gluten feed; 71% TDN, 15% CP of DM) at 0.5% of BW for 7 d. On d 7, calves were stratified by vaccination scheme and assigned into 1 of 16 drylot pens (3 calves of same sex/pen; 4 pens/treatment). Pens were randomly assigned to receive similar weekly concentrate DM supplementation (1% of BW multiplied by 7 d) that was divided and offered daily (7X) or three times weekly (3X; Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) from d 7 to 43. From d 0 to 43, calves were provided ad libitum ground tall fescue hay (57% TDN, 13% CP of DM). Blood samples were collected from jugular vein on d 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14, relative to the respective first vaccination, and on d 43 of the study. Effects of timing of vaccination × frequency of supplementation were not detected for any variable in this study (P ≥ 0.12), except for overall ADG from d -14 to 43 (P = 0.04), which was less for PRE-3X vs. PRE-7X, POS-3X, and POS-7X calves (0.60, 0.70, 0.70, and 0.77 ± 0.04 kg/d, respectively; P ≤ 0.08). Post-weaning total DMI and G:F did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.11). Pre-weaning vaccination increased plasma concentrations of cortisol and haptoglobin from d 0 to 3, relative to first vaccination (P ≤ 0.03), and decreased serum PI-3 titers on d 43 compared with post-weaning vaccination (P < 0.0001). Decreasing the supplementation frequency tended (P = 0.10) to increase overall plasma cortisol concentrations and reduce overall serum BVDV-1a titers. Hence, pre-weaning vaccination associated with reduced post-weaning frequency of energy supplementation caused the greatest reduction on calf growth performance. Post-weaning vaccination and daily energy supplementation alleviated inflammation and improved humoral immunity compared with pre-weaning vaccination and reduced post-weaning frequency of energy supplementation of recently weaned beef calves.

Total Tract Dry Matter Digestibility and Proportions of Ruminal Propionate Are Increased in High-Energy Limit-Fed Diets Based Primarily on Wet Corn Gluten Feed

Total Tract Dry Matter Digestibility and Proportions of Ruminal Propionate Are Increased in High-Energy Limit-Fed Diets Based Primarily on Wet Corn Gluten Feed