Feeding Corn Research Articles

Pelleted Sources of Nutrition and the Effect of Stocking Size-graded Juveniles in Low-input Farming of the Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in Earthen Ponds

Nutrient sources in pelleted form and the effect of stocking size-graded juvenile freshwater prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii for the low-input farming of the freshwater prawn in experimental earthen ponds (0.05–0.06 ha) have been studied. For each of 4 yr, experiments were sequentially conducted, having growout durations ranging from 111 to 135 d. Generally, graded juvenile prawns (0.26–0.29 g) were stocked into earthen ponds containing artificial substrate at a density that ranged from 21,690 to 34,580/ha. For all experiments, feeding rates ranged from 10.1 to 60.8 kg/ha/d during the growout season. Survival, mean weight, and total production were compared among the treatments. There were no significant differences in survival, mean harvest weight, or total production when corn gluten pellets fed exclusively were compared to corn gluten pellets in combination (1:1) with less expensive nutrient sources, wheat midds, and range cubes. Substitution of corn gluten pellets with a commercial prawn feed fed for the last 28 d of growout had no significant effect. A total level of feeding corn gluten pellets : range cubes (1:1) at 2802 kg/ha for the growout period was as effective as 3923 and 5044 kg/ha at a stocking density of 28,405/ha. The use of trout feed in combination with the feeding of the 1:1 corn gluten pellets to range cubes for 49 d prior to harvest was effective in maintaining mean harvest weight and production at a higher stocking density (34,580/ha vs. 28,405/ha). Poultry litter pellets were ineffective substitutes for the corn gluten pellet : ranges cubes (1:1) combination. The exclusive feeding of alfalfa pellets and soy hull pellets resulted in mean harvest weights and total production that were significantly less than what was achieved with the feeding of range cubes. Engineered enterprise budgets demonstrated positive economic benefits of the low-input strategy using pellet nutrient sources that contain no less than 20% crude protein (dry weight). Highest returns were realized with the upper grade of juveniles resulting from a 60/40 split (by number), even when lower grade animals were discarded. At stocking densities of approximately 22,000–28,000/ha, nutritional requirements of the prawns appear to be satisfied by the consumption of the fed nutrient sources combined with live, natural resident pond prey organisms enhanced by organic input resulting from the breakdown of the pellets. Production levels of 900–1000 kg/ha can be consistently achieved.

Evaluation of in vitro gas production and rumen bacterial populations fermenting corn milling (co)products

The objective of this study was to evaluate the fermentation dynamics of 2 commonly fed corn (co)products in their intact and defatted forms, using the in vitro gas production (IVGP) technique, and to investigate the shifts of the predominant rumen bacterial populations using the 16S rDNA bacterial tag-encoded FLX amplicon pyrosequencing (bTEFAP) technique. The bTEFAP technique was used to determine the bacterial profile of each fermentation time at 24 and 48h. Bacterial populations were identified at the species level. Species were grouped by substrate affinities (guilds) for cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, starch, sugars, protein, lipids, and lactate. The 2 (co)products were a dried distillers grain (DDG) plus solubles produced from a low-heat drying process (BPX) and a high-protein DDG without solubles (HP). Chemical analysis revealed that BPX contained about 11.4% ether extract, whereas HP contained only 3.88%. Previous studies have indicated that processing methods, as well as fat content, of corn (co)products directly affect fermentation rate and substrate availability, but little information is available regarding changes in rumen bacterial populations. Fermentation profiles of intact and defatted BPX and HP were compared with alfalfa hay as a standard profile. Defatting before incubation had no effect on total gas production in BPX or HP, but reduced lag time and the fractional rate of fermentation of BPX by at least half, whereas there was no effect for HP. The HP feed supported a greater percentage of fibrolytic and proteolytic bacteria than did BPX. Defatting both DDG increased the fibrolytic (26.8 to 38.7%) and proteolytic (26.1 to 37.2%) bacterial guild populations and decreased the lactate-utilizing bacterial guild (3.06 to 1.44%). Information regarding the fermentation kinetics and bacterial population shifts when feeding corn (co)products may lead to more innovative processing methods that improve feed quality (e.g., deoiling) and consequently allow greater inclusion rates in dairy cow rations.

Corn Silage Feeding Management Practices in California Dairies

It has been estimated that dairies can lose up to 35% of their corn silage either as a run-off, volatile organic compounds or as feed wasted. These losses could be minimized with good management practices at harvesting, ensiling, and feeding out. The aim of this study was to obtain information on current management practices when feeding corn silage in California's Central Valley dairies.

Fusarium verticillioides strains isolated from corn feed: characterization by fumonisin production and RAPD fingerprinting

In this study a total of 16 Fusarium verticillioides strains isolated from corn feed samples were characterized by fumonisin (FB) production and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). All the strains produced FB1 and FB2 with levels ranging from 2.41 to 3996.36 µg/g, and from 1.18 to 1209.91 µg/g, respectively. From the 16 F. verticillioides strains, four were identified as low (3.59 to 1289.84 µg/g), eight as intermediate (>1289.84 to 3772.44 µg/g) and four strains as high (>3772.44 µg/g) fumonisin producers. From the total of 105 loci amplified, 60 (57.14%) were polymorphic. RAPD analysis showed very similar patterns among low, moderate and high fumonisin-producing strains. Although RAPD markers were capable of discriminating the different F. verticillioides strains, there was no clear association between these makers and fumonisin production.

Comparison of Corn Coproducts and Corn Residue Bales with Alfalfa Mixed Hay on Beef Cow-Calf Performance, Lactation, and Feed Costs

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a winter feeding strategy on the performance, lactation, reproduction, and feed costs of springcalving, lactating beef cows. In Exp. 1, Angus (n = 66) and Simmental (n = 70) cows were allotted to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and free-choice corn residue bales; 2) corn bran and DDGS and freechoice corn residue bales; 3) corn bran and high-protein distillers dried grains and free-choice corn residue bales; or 4) free-choice alfalfa mixed hay. In Exp. 2, Angus (n = 72) and Simmental (n = 92) cows were allotted to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) free-choice corn residue bale and 6.5 kg DDGS; 2) 6.4 kg ground corn residue bale and 6.5 kg DDGS; 3) 4.5 kg ground corn residue bale and 7.5 kg DDGS; and 4) free-choice alfalfa mixed hay. In both experiments, cows with free-choice hay intake lost more BW than cows fed coproduct and corn residue bales, but there were no differences in milk production or calf ADG. Three-year average price data were used to calculate feed costs (corn residue, $55/ton; DDGS, $124.71/ ton; and hay, $131.67/ton). In Exp. 2, the hay diet was more expensive than the 3 DDGS and corn residue diets ($2.50 vs. $1.44/cow∙per day, respectively). Machinery costs were also considered for each diet with herd sizes from 50 to 300 cows. Herd size dictated which winter feeding strategy was the least expensive. Feeding corn coproducts with corn residue bales can result in acceptable performance and reduced feed costs compared with traditional hay diets.

Effects of feeding corn naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins and/or a modified yeast cell wall extract on the performance, immunity and carcass characteristics of grain-fed veal calves

Thirty-two grain-fed veal calves (177 ± 6.7 kg body weight (BW)) were used in a completely randomized block design experiment to determine effects of feeding corn diets naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins and/or a modified yeast cell wall extract (YCW) on performance, immunity and carcass characteristics. Calves were fed one of four dietary treatments in individual pens for at least 84 days either: (1) control corn + supplemental pellet (CC), (2) control corn + YCW supplemental pellet (CY), (3) mycotoxin contaminated corn + supplemental pellet (MC), and (4) mycotoxin contaminated corn + YCW supplemental pellet (MY). Diets consisted of 750 g/kg whole corn grain and 250 g/kg supplemental pellet with corn as the source of food-borne mycotoxins. The major contaminants present in the contaminated diets (average concentrations of MC and MY) were deoxynivalenol (DON; 10.27 mg/kg), 15-acetyl DON (1.27 mg/kg) and zearalenone (1.84 mg/kg). Final BW and total BW gain of the calves were not different between treatment groups. However, ADG tended ( P=0.07) to be higher and F:G was decreased ( P=0.003) in calves fed contaminated diets. Haptoglobin, fibrinogen and IgA concentrations did not differ between treatments. Concentrations of IgG were lower ( P=0.003) in calves receiving YCW. Plasma urea N and glucose concentrations were increased ( P<0.001) and decreased ( P=0.004), respectively, in calves fed contaminated diets. The weights (g and g/kg BW) of the liver, kidney, heart and lungs did not differ between treatments. Hot carcass weight, dressing yield, back fat, longissimus muscle area and colour Minolta L*value were also not different between treatments. These data indicate that veal calves are able to tolerate a moderate feeding level of corn grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins and that small improvements in F:G occurred. As there were generally no negative effects of dietary mycotoxin on performance, the efficacy of YCW as a mycotoxin adsorbent could not be assessed, but YCW alone had minimal effects on performance.

Evaluation of limit feeding corn and distillers dried grains with solubles in non-feed-withdrawal molt programs for laying hens

An experiment was conducted using 504 Hy-Line W-36 Single Comb White Leghorn hens (69 wk of age) randomly assigned to 1 of 7 treatments. These treatments consisted of a 47% corn:47% soy hulls diet (C:SH) fed ad libitum; a 94% corn diet fed at a rate of 36.3, 45.4, or 54.5 g/hen per day (CORN 36, CORN 45, and CORN 54, respectively); and a 94% corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) diet fed at the same rates as the previous corn diets (DDGS 36, DDGS 45, and DDGS 54, respectively) during the molt period of 28 d. The intent was to feed the DDGS diets for 28 d; however, all hens on these diets had very low feed intakes and greater than anticipated BW loss. Thus, they were switched to a 16% CP corn-soybean meal layer diet on d 19 of the molt period. At d 28, hens on all treatments were fed the same corn-soybean meal layer diet for 39 wk (73 to 112 wk of age). All DDGS diets and the CORN 36 diet resulted in total cessation of egg production during the molt period and egg production of hens fed the CORN 45, CORN 54, and C:SH diets had decreased to 3 and 4%, respectively, by d 28. Body weight loss during the 28-d molt period ranged from 14% for the CORN 54 diet to approximately 23% for the 3 DDGS diets. Postmolt egg production (5 to 43 wk) was higher for hens fed the DDGS molt diets than those fed the corn diets. There were no consistent differences in egg mass, egg-specific gravity, feed efficiency, or layer feed consumption among molt treatments for the postmolt period. These results indicate that limit feeding corn diet and DDGS diet in non-feed-withdrawal molt programs will yield long-term postmolt performance that is comparable to that observed by ad libitum feeding a C:SH diet.

Effect of feeding corn cob meal on the growth, nutrient digestibility and organ characteristics of finisher broilers

One hundred and twenty (120) five weeks old Anak broiler finisher birds were used to study the effect of corn cob meal on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and organ weight characteristics. The birds were divided into 4 treatment groups of 30 birds each and further replicated thrice (10 birds per replicate). Four finisher diets were formulated with 0, 5, 10 and 15% corn cob meal and fed to the birds in a completely randomized design (CRD). The results showed significant differences (p0.05) between treatments. The organ weights (Liver, heart and gizzard) did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between the treatment groups. Nutrient digestibility results showed that crude protein and neutral ether extract differed significantly (p0.05) between treatments. The results of this study suggest that feeding 5% corn cob meal diet was not detrimental to the performance of broilers at the finisher level.Keywords: Poultry, nutrient digestibility, corn cob, broilers, performance, organs

Isolipidic additions of fat from corn germ, corn distillers grains, or corn oil in dairy cow diets

Eight multiparous and 8 primiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 4-wk periods to determine the effects on dairy cow performance of feeding corn germ (CG) compared with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) or corn oil (CO). Four isolipidic dietary treatments were formulated: a control diet, a 14% corn germ diet (CGD), a 30% dry distillers grains with solubles diet (DGD), and a 2.5% corn oil diet (COD). All diets were formulated to contain 6.0% fat, with the fat in the control diet provided by a ruminally inert fat source. Dry matter intake was decreased by feeding the COD compared with the CGD; however, no difference in dry matter intake was observed among the control diet, the DGD, and the COD. Dietary treatments had no effect on milk yield, energy-corrected milk, or 4% fat-corrected milk. Feeding CG had no effect on milk fat percentage when compared with the control diet; however, milk fat percentage tended to decrease with DDGS and decreased with CO when compared with the CGD. Milk protein percentage decreased when cows were fed the COD compared with the control diet. Feeding CO tended to decrease milk fat yield compared with CG; however, dietary treatments had no effect on milk protein and lactose yield. Feed efficiency was not affected by dietary treatments and averaged 1.55kg of energy-corrected milk/kg of dry matter intake. Feeding DDGS and CO increased the concentration of vaccenic and conjugated linoleic acid in milk fat. Concentrations of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk were increased in response to feeding the 3 corn coproducts. Fat from CG appears to be relatively protected in the rumen when compared with that from DDGS and CO and therefore will not affect the production of milk fat to the degree of the more available fat in DDGS and CO.

Comparison of wheat- versus corn-based dried distillers’ grains with solubles on meat quality of feedlot cattle

A considerable amount of information has been generated on the feeding value and impact of corn dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) on meat quality, whereas little is known about the effects of wheat DDGS on meat quality, and no direct comparison of these two sources of DDGS has been completed. The current study was conducted to examine the objective and subjective carcass and meat quality traits of cattle fed diets containing corn or wheat (20% or 40%) DDGS (DM basis) as compared to a standard barley-based finishing diet (control). In general, meat obtained from animals fed the barley-based control diet was slightly darker in colour (lower chroma and hue at 24 h, P<0.01) and less tender (highest proportion of tough shears at 2 d and lowest proportion of tender shears at 20 d). Meat from corn DDGS was rated as more tender and palatable than control samples (P<0.05), and 20% corn samples were rated better for beef flavour intensity (P<0.01) and desirability (P<0.05) than 40% corn DDGS samples. In contrast, meat from steers fed wheat DDGS showed intermediate characteristics between steers fed control and corn DDGS diets. Hence, feeding wheat DDGS had no negative effects, and feeding corn DDGS had some positive effects on meat quality characteristics of beef.

Forage-Finished Beef Supplemented with Corn and Corn Oil

Beef steers were finished on ryegrass with corn or corn + corn oil supplementation in a 2-yr experiment to determine effects on performance and conjugated linoleic acid tissue concentration, especially cis-9, trans-11 (c9,t11). Rib steak (longissimus dorsi, LM) and subcutaneous fat (SQ) samples were analyzed for long-chain fatty acid concentrations. Angus and Angus crossbred steers (yr 1, n = 18, initial BW 369.4 ± 29.1 kg; yr 2, n = 48; initial BW 364.1 ± 1.07 kg) were backgrounded on rye pasture for 71 d (ADG 1.78 ± 0.11 kg) and 41 d (ADG 1.24 ± 0.77 kg), respectively, in yr 1 and yr 2. After rye grazing, steers were assigned to ryegrass pastures (cv. Big Daddy; yr 1: 4 pastures, 1.62 ha each; yr 2: 6 pastures, 1.46 ha each) for 83 d in yr 1 and 112 d in yr 2, and fed corn at 1% BW, without or with corn + corn oil (0.075% BW). In yr 1, steer initial BW (n = 16; 424.3 ± 27.83 kg), 83-d ADG (1.78 vs. 1.89 kg), carcass weight (347.9 vs. 354.44 kg), and QG (12.27 vs. 12.61; 12 = US Select +) were similar for corn vs. corn + corn oil treatments. In yr 2, a ryegrass-only treatment was added to the corn and corn + corn oil treatments used in yr 1. Steers (n = 37, initial BW 390.1 kg ± 27.4) assigned to ryegrass only (n = 9), corn (n = 14), or corn + corn oil (n = 14) treatments had respective 112-d ADG of 1.07, 1.65, and 1.62 kg (P < 0.01); carcass weights of 288.1, 321.4, and 326.0 kg (P < 0.01), and QG of 9.78, 10.57, and 10.29 (10 = US Select, P > 0.28). Feeding corn + corn oil decreased supplement intake in yr 1 (P < 0.03), but it did not improve ADG above feeding corn at 1% BW in either year. In yr 1, concentrations of c9,t11 were similar for corn and corn + corn oil in LM, but corn + corn oil had higher (P < 0.04) concentrations in SQ samples. In yr 2, concentration of c9,t11 was highest for LM (P < 0.03) and SQ (P < 0.02) in corn + corn oil compared with similar values for the ryegrass-only and corn treatments. Results indicate that addition of corn oil with corn may increase conjugated linoleic acid in beef steers finished on ryegrass pasture, but may not affect performance or QG.

A Case–Control Study on the Origin of Atypical Scrapie in Sheep, France

A matched case-control study (95 cases and 220 controls) was designed to study risk factors for atypical scrapie in sheep in France. We analyzed contacts with animals from other flocks, lambing and feeding practices, and exposure to toxic substances. Data on the prnp genotype were collected for some case and control animals and included in a complementary analysis. Sheep dairy farms had a higher risk for scrapie (odds ratio [OR] 15.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.3-69.7). Lower risk was associated with organic farms (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.02-1.26), feeding corn silage (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.05-0.53), and feeding vitamin and mineral supplements (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.32-1.14). Genetic effects were quantitatively important but only marginally changed estimates of other variables. We did not find any risk factor associated with an infectious origin of scrapie. Atypical scrapie could be a spontaneous disease influenced by genetic and metabolic factors.

Enhancement of erythromycin A production with feeding available nitrogen sources in erythromycin biosynthesis phase

Effects of feeding different available nitrogen sources from 80 h in erythromycin biosynthesis phase on the erythromycin A (Er-A) production were investigated in 50 l fermenter. Feeding corn steep liquor and yeast extract, the Er-A production was enhanced, while the biotransformation from erythromycin C (Er-C) to Er-A had no increase. When ammonium sulphate was fed at high feeding rate, the maximal Er-A production and ratio of Er-A to Er-C were 7953 U/ml and 98.18:1 at 184 h, respectively, which were higher than that of the control (6742 U/ml and 5.47:1). The feeding ammonium sulphate process was successfully scaled up from 50 l to 25 m 3 fermenter. The maximal Er-A production reached 7938 U/ml at 203 h, which was enhanced by 22.1% compared with the control (6501 U/ml at 192 h). The ratio of Er-A to Er-C was 24.05:1, which was higher than that of the control (4.77:1).

Evaluation of corn germ from ethanol production as an alternative fat source in dairy cow diets

Sixteen multiparous cows (12 Holstein and 4 Brown Swiss, 132±20 d in milk) were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square design with 4-wk periods to determine the effects of feeding corn germ on dairy cow performance. Diets were formulated with increasing concentrations of corn germ (Dakota Germ, Poet Nutrition, Sioux Falls, SD) at 0, 7, 14, and 21% of the diet dry matter (DM). All diets had a 55:45 forage to concentrate ratio, where forage was 55% corn silage and 45% alfalfa hay. Dietary fat increased from 4.8% in the control diet to 8.2% at the greatest inclusion level of corn germ. The addition of corn germ resulted in a quadratic response in DM intake with numerically greater intake at 14% of diet DM. Feeding corn germ at 7 and 14% of diet DM increased milk yield and energy-corrected milk as well as fat percentage and yield. Milk protein yield tended to decrease as the concentration of corn germ increased in the diet. Dietary treatments had no effect on feed efficiency, which averaged 1.40kg of energy-corrected milk/kg of DMI. Increasing the dietary concentration of corn germ resulted in a linear increase in milk fat concentrations of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids at the expense of saturated fatty acids. Milk fat concentration and yield of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid were increased with increased dietary concentrations of corn germ. Although milk fat concentrations of both total trans-18:1 and cis-18:1 fatty acids increased linearly, a marked numeric increase in the concentration of trans-10 C18:1 was observed in milk from cows fed the 21% corn germ diet. A similar response was observed in plasma concentration of trans-10 C18:1. Feeding increasing concentrations of corn germ had no effect on plasma concentrations of glucose, triglyceride, or β-hydroxybutyrate; however, the concentration of nonesterified fatty acids increased linearly, with plasma cholesterol concentration demonstrating a similar trend. Germ removed from corn grain before ethanol production provides an alternative source of fat for energy in lactating dairy cows when fed at 7 and 14% of diet DM. Our results suggest that fat from corn germ may be relatively protected with no adverse effect on DM intake, milk production, and milk composition when fed up to 14% of diet DM.

Apparent absorption of methionine and 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid from gastrointestinal tract of conventional and gnotobiotic pigs

The effect of commensal microbiota and feeding corn or wheat/barley-based diets on the apparent gastrointestinal absorption of dl-methionine (MET) and 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid (MHA-FA) was studied in conventional (n = 32) and gnotobiotic pigs (n = 24). Conventional pigs (CON) were vaginally delivered and sow-reared until weaning at 14 days of age. Gnotobiotic pigs were derived by caesarian section and reared in HEPA (high efficiency particulate air)-filtered isolator units with ad libitum access to a milk-based formula. Corn or wheat/barley-based diets were fed to all pigs from 14 to 24 days of age. At 24 days of age, after an overnight fast, pigs were fed 20 g/kg BW of experimental diet supplemented with 107 Bq of either 3H-l-MET or 3H-l-MHA-FA per kg of feed and chromic oxide (0.5% wt/wt). Pigs were killed for sample collection 3 h after consuming the meal. Residual 3H-MET and 3H-MHA-FA were estimated in gastrointestinal contents as the ratio of 3H : chromic oxide in digesta samples to the ratio of 3H : chromic oxide in feed. In CON pigs, feeding a wheat/barley-based diet increased (P < 0.05) total aerobes, whereas supplementation with MHA-FA increased (P < 0.05) total aerobes and lactobacilli populations in proximal small intestine (SI). Among the gnotobiotic pigs, bacterial contamination occurred such that eight pigs (two isolators) were monoassociated with a Gram-negative bacteria closely related to Providencia spp. and 16 pigs (four isolators) were monoassociated with Gram positive Enterococcus faecium. Species of monoassociated bacterial contaminant and diet composition did not affect residual methionine or MHA-FA in digesta. In both CON and monoassociated (MA) pigs, methionine and MHA-FA were retained in stomach (92%) but disappeared rapidly from proximal SI. Residual methionine and MHA-FA in digesta was not different in MA pigs; however, in CON pigs, less (P < 0.01) apparent residual methionine was found in digesta recovered at 25% (from cranial to caudal) and 75% of SI length compared with MHA-FA. Apparent residual methionine was 16% and 8% compared with 34% and 15% for MHA-FA, at the 25% and 75% locations, respectively. In proximal SI tissue, significantly (P < 0.05) higher radioactivity (cpm/mg wet tissue) was associated with MET pigs (8.56 ± 0.47) as compared to MHA-FA ones (5.45 ± 0.50). This study suggests that microbial metabolism of MHA-FA increases retention in small intestinal digesta relative to methionine and contributes, in part, to the lower bioefficacy of MHA-FA compared to methionine.

County-Level Analysis of Crop Residues Availability for Fuel Ethanol Production in Ohio

Increasing demand of corn for ethanol production places significant pressure on the availability of corn for food and animal feed. Other feedstocks such as crop residues, energy crops, wood waste, and forest residues are being considered for cellulosic ethanol production in the near future. The availability of crop residues for cellulosic ethanol production in Ohio was analyzed in this study. Results showed that two clusters of counties, each with a collection radius of less than 80 km (50 miles), had the capability to provide feedstock for two ethanol plants with feedstock demand of 5,000 dry tons per day each. These two plants would be located in the northwestern region of Ohio to produce a total of 927 million L (245 million gal) of ethanol per year. Other counties that have low biomass availability could grow energy crops such as switchgrass and provide mixed feedstocks for a cellulosic ethanol plant.

TRITICALE USE IN BROILER CHICKEN DIETS AND ITS EFFECT ON PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY FATTENING

The purpose of the present studies was to determine the best replacement level of corn by triticale in diets for broilers and effects of different levels of triticale in the diet on production performance, economic efficiency and carcass characteristics of broiler. Substituting 30% of the corn in the feed for triticale did not significantly change the production performances of chickens, but the 60% substitution ratio negatively influenced weight gain, feed intake and the degree of feed capitalization. The high presence of triticales in the feed of broiler chicken led to the decrease of slaughter output and to the deterioration of carcass fat quality, in the sense that the heft of saturated fatty acids increased, at the expense of polyunsaturated ones. Moreover, a significant increase in the viscosity of the intestinal chyle was recorded when triticales were present in the feed, which reduced the speed of intestinal transit and, accordingly, the daily intake and the degree of feed capitalization. The costs for fodder needed to obtain a 1 kg weight gain or a 1 kg carcass meat were 5.25 – 9.69% lower and respectively 4.43 – 7.30% lower by substituting 30% and respectively 60% of the corn in the feed for triticales.

Effect of Feeding DAS-59122-7 Corn Grain and Nontransgenic Corn Grain to Individually Fed Finishing Steers

An experiment was conducted to evaluate feeding transgenic corn containing the cry34Ab1 and cry35Ab1 genes from a Bacillus thuringiensis strain and the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (pat) gene from Streptomyces viridochromogenes to finishing cattle compared with nontransgenic corn. Expression of the cry34Ab1 and cry35Ab1 genes confers resistance to corn rootworms, and the pat gene confers tolerance to herbicides containing glufosinate-ammonium. Sixty crossbred steers (396 kg) were individually fed either transgenic corn (DAS-59122-7; 59122), a near-isogenic, nontransgenic control (Control), and a conventional, nontransgenic corn for 109 d to evaluate nutritional equivalency (20 steers/treatment). The corn was coarsely rolled (geometric mean diameter = 4,200 µm) and treatments were offered in the finishing diet at 82% of diet DM. Gain (P = 0.38) and G:F (P = 0.80) were similar between 59122 and Control with a tendency for a difference in DMI (P = 0.08). When adjusted using the statistical analysis of false discovery rate, DMI, ADG, and G:F were not different between Control and 59122 (P > 0.33). No differences were observed between Control and 59122 for HCW, marbling score, LM area, fat depth, or calculated USDA YG (P > 0.12). The genetically modified corn DAS-59122-7 was nutritionally equivalent to a near-isogenic control when fed to finishing steers. Feeding corn grain containing these transgenic traits did not influence steer performance or carcass quality.

Rumen fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, and nutrient flow to the omasum in cattle offered corn silage, grass silage, or whole-crop wheat1

The objectives of this study were to determine the relative effect of feeding corn silage (CS), fermented whole-crop wheat (FWCW), and urea-treated processed whole-crop wheat (UPWCW) compared with grass silage (GS), each supplemented with concentrates, on forage intake, ruminal fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, some plasma metabolites, and ruminal and total tract digestibility in cattle. Four ruminally fistulated steers with a mean BW of 509 kg (SD 6.3) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square-designed experiment with each period lasting 21 d. The omasal sampling technique in combination with a triple marker method was used to measure nutrient flows to the omasum with Co-EDTA, Yb acetate, and indigestible NDF as liquid, small particle, and large particle phase markers, respectively. Microbial N flow was assessed from purine base concentrations. Steers fed CS, FWCW, and UPWCW consumed 2.7, 2.4, and 2.6 kg/d more (P < 0.05) forage and total DMI, respectively, than those fed GS-based diets. Rumen pH (P = 0.07) and lactic acid (P = 0.11) concentration did not differ between the forages. Rumen concentration of NH(3)-N was greatest for UPWCW and least for CS (P < 0.001). Total VFA concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) for CS than GS and UPWCW, with FWCW being intermediate. Acetate-to-propionate ratio (P < 0.05) was greater (P < 0.05) for UPWCW than the other forages, which did not differ. Apparent ruminal digestion of OM (P < 0.05) was less for CS, FWCW, and UPWCW than GS. Ruminal NDF digestibility was greater (P < 0.01) for GS than the other forages, which did not differ (P > or = 0.06). Total tract NDF digestibility was less (P < 0.05) for UPWCW than the other forages, with GS being greatest and CS and FWCW being intermediate. Starch intake was less (P < 0.001) for GS than the other forages, but there was no effect of forage on omasal starch flow (P = 0.23) or ruminal digestibility (P = 0.88). Flow of non-NH(3)-N and microbial N was greater (P < 0.05) for CS, FWCW, and UPWCW than GS. Efficiency of microbial N synthesis was greater (P < 0.05) for FWCW than GS and CS, with UPWCW being intermediate. Plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were greatest with CS and least for GS (P < 0.001), whereas concentrations of plasma urea were least for CS and greatest for UPWCW (P < 0.001). In conclusion, feeding alternative forages to GS can significantly increase feed DMI and alter rumen fermentation and site of nutrient digestion when offered to cattle supplemented with 3 kg of concentrate daily.

Water resource requirements of corn‐based ethanol

Ethanol derived from fermentation of corn is a very water‐intensive product with water to ethanol mass ratios of 927 to 1178 and volumetric ratios of 1174 to 1492 for the major rainfed corn‐growing U.S. states of Illinois and Iowa and the leading irrigated corn‐growing state of Nebraska, respectively. Over 99% of water requirements are for growing corn feed stocks, with 99% of that amount in Illinois and Iowa, occurring as evapotranspiration of rainfall in corn fields, and 60% as evapotranspiration of applied irrigation water in Nebraska. As a rough measure of water quality impacts, 65.5 g N, 23.8 g P, and 1.03 g of pesticides are applied, and 4.8 kg of soil is eroded per liter of ethanol produced. These results add to knowledge on corn‐based ethanol's low net energy balance and high carbon footprint by demonstrating the high water resource intensity of corn‐based ethanol production.