Dried Distillers Grains Plus Solubles Research Articles

103 Effects of partial or total replacement of dried distiller’s grain with soybean meal on growth performance, carcass characteristics, sera urea nitrogen, and net energy utilization in finishing beef steers

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine if partial or complete replacement of dried distiller’s grains plus solubles (DDGS) with solvent-extracted soybean meal (SBM) influences growth performance, efficiency of dietary net energy utilization, sera urea-N (SUN) concentrations, or carcass traits in finishing beef steers. Continental × British steers [initial shrunk body weight (BW) = 382 ± 37 kg] were used in a 139-d experiment. Treatments included: DDGS fed at 20% DM (13.4% CP; DDGS), SBM replacing 50% of DDGS (14.4% CP; SBM50), and SBM replacing 100% of DDGS (15.4% CP; SBM100). Steers (n = 189) were weighed and allotted to 1 of 24 pens (n = 8 steers per pen; 8 pens per treatment) at the Ruminant Nutrition Center near Brookings, SD. Whole blood was collected and harvested as sera on d 77, 105, and 139 to determine SUN concentration. Growth and carcass data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 with treatment and block (initial BW grouping) as fixed effects; SUN data were analyzed using repeated measures, pen was the experimental unit. Inclusion level was evaluated for linear and quadratic components by the method of orthogonal polynomials. Final BW was calculated by dividing hot carcass weight (HCW) by 0.625. No differences were noted (P ≥ 0.18) for final BW, average daily gain, dry matter intake, or feed efficiency. Dietary treatment tended to affect gain to feed ratio (G:F; quadratic; P = 0.10) and SBM increased the apparent efficiency of energy capture. Treatment had no effect (P ≥ 0.22) on HCW, rib fat, marbling score, USDA yield grade, or final BW adjusted to 28% empty body fat. Complete replacement of DDGS with SBM increased rib eye area by 1% (linear; P = 0.02), but decreased dressing percentage (linear, P = 0.03). Distribution of USDA quality or yield grades were unaffected by treatment (P ≥ 0.36). No treatment × day interaction was observed for SUN (P = 0.20). However, day (P < 0.01) and treatment (P < 0.01) effects were observed. Initial samples (d 77) differed between DDGS and SBM treatments, with the latter having greater SUN values (P < 0.01). On d 105, the SBM100 treatment had greater SUN than DDGS, and SBM50 was intermediate (P < 0.01). On d 139, steers from SBM100 had elevated increased SUN compared with SBM50 and DDGS treatments (P < 0.01). Net energy values calculated from animal performance for DDGS agreed closely with tabular estimates. In this experiment, replacement of DDGS with SBM increased the observed to expected ratio of dietary NE, increased muscularity and tended to decrease DP with no other observed effects on growth performance or carcass traits.

161 Effect of replacement of dried distiller’s grains plus solubles with increasing extruded and expelled soybean meal on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics in finishing steers

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing inclusion of extruded and expelled soybean meal (EESBM) as a partial replacement of dried distiller’s grains plus solubles (DDGS) feedlot performance and carcass characteristics in steers. Steers [n = 144; initial shrunk body weight (BW) = 399 ± 27 kg] were assigned to 1 of 18 pens (8 steers/pen). Pens were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments (6 pens/treatment): 100% DDGS included at 15% of diet dry matter (DM; NO-SBM), a blend of 70% DDGS and 30% SBM included at 15% of diet DM (30-EESBM), and a blend of 40% DDGS and 60% SBM included at 15% of diet DM (60-EESBM) in a randomized complete block design with pen as experimental unit. Data were analyzed as a RCBD with fixed effects of treatment and random effect of block (location within feedyard). Linear and quadratic contrasts were used to assess EESBM level effects. All growth performance results were determined on a carcass-adjusted [hot carcass weight (HCW)/0.625] basis. Supplementation of EESBM increased (P ≤ 0.04) final BW and average daily gain (ADG) by 1.6 and 3.8%, respectively. Additionally, dietary treatment tended to result in increased (P ≤ 0.07) DMI and improved feed conversion by 1.2 and 2.6%. Final BW, ADG and gain to feed ratio (G:F) increased (linear; P ≤ 0.03) with increasing inclusion of EESBM in replacement of DDGS. Dry matter intake (DMI) tended to increase quadratically (P = 0.10) with increasing EESBM inclusion. No differences (P ≥ 0.37) were observed in any other carcass-adjusted growth performance responses as well as apparent utilization of dietary net energy (P ≥ 0.15). Increasing inclusion of EESBM resulted in a linear increase (P = 0.02) in HCW. A tendency for a linear increase (P = 0.09) was noted for empty body fat% with greater EESBM inclusion. No other differences (P ≥ 0.12) were observed in carcass performance, distribution of yield and quality grades, and lung and liver health outcomes. In conclusion, feeding EESBM as a partial replacement of DDGS resulted in greater DMI, ADG and carcass weight, without negatively influencing measures of carcass quality or cutability. Under the conditions of this experiment, the NE value of EESBM is 8.5% greater than DDGS.

88 Ruminal degradation profiles of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein of finishing diets with different levels of inclusion of dried distiller’s grains plus solubles and soybean meal

Abstract The objective of this study was to estimate the ruminal degradation profile of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and crude protein (CP) in concentrate-based diets with different levels of inclusion of dried distiller’s grains plus solubles (DDGS) and soybean meal (SBM). Red Angus steers [n = 4; body weight (BW) = 360 ± 9 kg] with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas, were used in a 4 × 4 latin square. Diets (TMR) consisted of dry-rolled corn (70%), hay (10%), liquid supplement (5%), and test ingredients (15%). Treatments were (DM basis): 1) 15.0% DDGS (CON); SBM in replacement of 50% of DDGS (SBM50); SBM in replacement of 75% of DDGS (SBM75), and SBM in replacement of 100% of DDGS (SBM100). Each period lasted 18-d, consisting of a 7-d diet adaptation followed by an 11-d collection period. An in situ ruminal incubation of each TMR was performed from d 8 to 11 of each period. Ingredients were weighed separately, maintaining their proportion in the TMR. Air-dried TMR sample (6 g, 2 mm grind) was ruminally incubated in a nylon bag (Ankom, 10 × 20 cm) using the same steer from the in vivo study. Samples were incubated for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, and 72 h. The number of bags varied as a function of the incubation time to guarantee enough residual samples after incubation, where more bags per sample were incubated for the longer incubation times relative to the shorter incubation times (72 and 48 h, n = 5; 24 h, n = 4; 16 h, n = 3; 8 h and 4 h, n = 2; 2 h and 0 h, n = 1). DM, OM, and CP degradation were estimated by using the following model: Yt = a + b × (1 − e(−kd × t)), The NLIN procedure of SAS 9.4 was used and restricted and full models were compared by a likelihood ratio test. Rumen degradable protein (RDP) of each TMR was calculated as follows: RDP = a + b + [kd/(kd + kp)], where kp was 0.05 h−1). There were no differences (P ≥ 0.47) on the fractions a, b, and kd, or RDP (55%) between treatments for DM, OM, and CP. According to our analysis, approximately 13 h of incubation is necessary to accurately estimate the RDP content of the TMR. The NASEM (2016) adopts 35 and 75% of RDP for DDGS and SBM, respectively, based on fixed incubation time of 16 h. Most studies have evaluated degradation profiles of individual feed and not TMR; however, animals are fed complete diets, made up by feedstuff that vary in physical characteristics, nutrient composition, and consequently RDP. In this study, the similar degradation profiles between diets suggest that RDP of complete diets differs from that of individually assayed ingredients.

236 The effects of replacing dried distiller’s grains with solubles with heat-treated soybean meal on nutrient intake and digestibility in forage-based diets

Abstract Cattle growth is calculated through dry matter intake, average daily gain and gain:feed measures that assume performance and digestibility are correlated. Hence, evaluating nutrient digestibility and flow provides additional explanations for subsequent growth performance. Therefore, five fistulated Jersey steers [Initial body weight (BW) = 288 ± 22 kg) fitted with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were utilized in a 4 × 5 row-column design to determine intake and total tract nutrient digestibility when replacing dried distiller’s grains plus solubles (DDGS) with heat-treated soybean meal (TSBM) in forage-based growing diets. The 56-d study contained 4 periods, each period lasting 14 d [9 d of adaptation and 5 d of collection (d 0 to 4)]. Dietary treatments partially replaced DDGS, included at 16% diet dry matter (DM), with TSBM at increasing inclusion levels of 0 (TSBM0), 4 (TSBM4), 8 (TSBM8), and 12% (TSBM12) DM. Basal diets contained 43.5% corn silage, 36.5% oat hay, and 4% meal supplement (DM). Chromic oxide was incorporated into the diet daily at 0.25% DM as a digesta marker. Steers were housed in individual tie stalls during the 5-d collection period. Treatment diets were fed daily at 0800 h with orts being weighed at 0730 h and subsampled on d 0 to d 4 each period. Fecal collection bags were harnessed to each steer from d 0 to d 4 to collect fecal weight and subsampled twice daily (0700 and 1900 h). Digestibility and feed intake were analyzed utilizing the MIXED procedure of SAS with treatment and period as fixed effects and animal as a random effect. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.14) in DM, organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), starch and nitrogen (N) intakes among treatments. Fecal DM, OM, NDF, starch, and N output resulted in no treatment effects (P ≥ 0.24). Subsequently, total tract apparent digestibility differences (P ≥ 0.32) were not detected for DM, OM, NDF, and starch content. However, N total tract apparent digestibility was significantly different (P < 0.03) with TSBM0 resulting in less N digestibility than TSBM12 (65.54% and 71.59%, respectively). Replacing a portion of DDGS with TSBM does not result in deleterious digestive effects in forage-based growing diets. As a result, the utilization of DDGS or TSBM as the primary protein source will depend on growth performance, feedstuff availability and economics.

164 Effect of distillers grains supplementation and fertilization rate on performance of stocker cattle grazing wheat pasture and stand performance

Abstract Within this study, the objectives were to determine how varied Nitrogen (N) fertilization rates and inclusion of dried distiller’s grains plus solubles (DDGS) impacted stocker and wheat stand performance within a no-till (NT) production system. A total of twenty-four 1.62-ha pastures were split between 3 unsupplemented treatments with urea spread at fixed rates of 50.44, 67.25, 84.06 kg N/ha in autumn and again in spring along with an additional 6 pastures fertilized with 50.44 kg N/ha each growing season plus supplemented with DDGS. From fall of 2021 to Spring of 2023, 576 beef steers (286.62 ± 36.67 kg) were randomly allocated at fixed stocking rates of 2.47 steers/ha (4 steers/pasture) in the fall, and 4.94 steers/ha (8 steers/pasture) in the spring. Steers were weighed upon arrival, at turnout, every 28 d, and when pulled off pasture. Steers were pulled off pasture when forage mass (FM) became insufficient, temperatures became too cold to support regrowth, or forage entered reproductive phase. Sampling dates to determine forage mass and quality coincided with weigh dates, where 20 plate meter readings were taken in every field and were recorded with a 0.25m2 plate meter, and 0.25m2 grass clippings were obtained from 15 fields every sampling date to estimate FM. Pairwise comparisons using the Mixed Model procedure in JMP were used to analyze data, with N rates with and without supplementation as a single fixed categorical variable, and year modeled as a random effect. In the fall, supplemented pastures produced greater ADG than 67.25 and 84.06 kg N/ha pastures (P < 0.05), along with greater total costs of supplemented pastures compared with all unsupplemented treatments (P < 0.0001). In the spring, supplemented pastures produced greater end weights, gain per hectare, forage mass and ADG than all unsupplemented treatments (P < 0.0001), and supplementation provided more grazing days (P < 0.05). While total sale income for supplemented pastures were greater than all unsupplemented treatments (P < 0.05), total costs of supplemented pastures were all increased (P < 0.0001), resulting in less income after variable costs (P < 0.0002). Response changes to supplementation were more pronounced than responses to increased fertilization. In conclusion, these results indicate that DDGS supplementation provided greater performance benefits to stocker cattle grazing wheat pasture than increased N fertilization rate, but the added costs associated with feeding resulted in lower profitability. However, the addition of DDGS supplementation may provide an opportunity to increase stocking rates to potentially improve profitability.

PSII-1 Evaluation of Precision Feeding on Animal Behavior in Finishing Beef Cattle

Abstract Charolais × Angus cross steers (n = 80; initial shrunk BW = 505 kg ± 31.6 kg; n = 10 pens; 5 replicate pens/treatment) were used in two 24-hour observations to evaluate animal behavior based on varying degrees of daily feed inclusion over a 28-day period (d 14 and d 42 on feed). Treatments included: 1) A fixed diet inclusion rate for each individual ingredient with a tolerance of 0.454 kg, and 2) Variable inclusion rates (VAR) of diet ingredients that were randomly increased or decreased while maintaining the targeted daily as-fed delivery. Steers were fed twice daily with a slick bunk approach used to manage feed bunks. Diets composition (DM basis) was 48% high moisture corn (HMC), 21% dry-rolled corn (DRC), 5% liquid supplement (LS), 14% dried distillers’ grains plus solubles (DDGS), and 12% grass hay (GH). In the VAR treatment inclusions of HMC, DRC, and DDGS varied independently by assigning a random integer with each integer corresponding to a specific deviation from target. Dietary inclusion of LS was fixed. Inclusion of GH was altered so that the targeted as-fed amount was delivered each day. Inclusion rates of ingredients (HMC, DRC, and DDGS) on an as-fed basis varied from the formulated diet by -20, -15, -10, -5, 0, +5, +10, +15, or +20%. Data from the two 24-hour observations were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) with pen as the experiment unit. Treatment was analyzed as a fixed effect and block (pen location) was a random effect in the model. Varying ingredient inclusion did not affect cattle activity, time spent drinking, resting, eating, or ruminating, or chewing behaviors (P ≥ 0.24) during the initial d 14 observation. Treatment did affect DMI the week preceding that observation period (P = 0.04). During the second 24-hour observation period activity, resting, ruminating, and chewing behaviors along with DMI were unaffected by variation in inclusion of diet ingredients (P ≥ 0.33). Varying inclusion rates of diet ingredients increased time spent drinking (P = 0.05) by 33.3% and decreased time spent eating behaviors (P = 0.01) by 9.4% at the d 42 observation point. Under the conditions of the present experiment, altering dietary ingredient proportions in a finishing diet may influence time spent drinking and eating after 42 d on feed.

264 Evaluation of Precision Feeding on Production Efficiency Responses in Finishing Beef Cattle

Abstract Charolais-Angus cross steers (n = 128; initial shrunk BW = 505 ± 32.1 kg; n = 16 pens; 8 replicate pens/treatment) were used in a 94-day finishing phase experiment to evaluate animal growth performance outcomes, efficiency measures, and carcass characteristics when varying degrees of ingredient inclusion tolerances were imposed. Treatments included: 1) Normal feeding with 0.454 kg tolerance for all ingredients (FXD) and 2) Variable inclusion strategy where each ingredient was randomly increased or decreased but the targeted as-fed quantity for the daily delivery was met (VAR). All steers were fed twice daily with all bunks managed using a slick bunk approach. Ractopamine HCl was fed (300 mg per head daily) for the final 28 d. Individual BW measures were captured at processing approximately every 35 d. Diets consisted of high-moisture corn (HMC), dry-rolled corn (DRC), dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS), liquid supplement (LS), and grass hay (GH) for the first 40 days of the finishing period. Days 41-94 diets consisted of DRC, LS, DDS, GH, and corn silage (CRNSIL). Ingredient inclusions were randomized by assigning independently a random integer to HMC, GH and DDGS with each integer corresponding to the deviation from targeted inclusions; LS inclusion was held constant. As-fed inclusion rates varied from formulated targets by -20, -15, -10, -5, 0, +5, +10, +15, or +20%. DRC or CRNSIL was adjusted so that the targeted as-fed amount of the diet was delivered each day. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) with pen as the experimental unit and block as random effect. VAR steers had increased (P ≤ 0.01) dry matter intake (DMI) and reduced (P ≤ 0.02) kg of gain to kg of feed (G:F). However, no differences (P = 0.75) were detected between treatments for ADG. In addition, net energy for maintenance and gain was decreased (P ≤ 0.01) in VAR. Carcass characteristics for both treatments showed no significance (P ≥ 0.38) in HCW, dressing percentage, rib eye area, rib fat, KPH, yield grade, retail yield, empty body fat, or body weight at 28% estimated EBF. A tendency for increased USDA marbling score (P > 0.08) was noted in VAR. Under the conditions of this experiment, randomly altering ingredient proportions did impact growth performance and efficiency measures. However, despite the difference in growth efficiency carcass characteristics were not impacted.

157 Daily Versus Three Times a Week Ddgs Supplementation on Grazing Calves

Abstract Supplemental feed may be provided to cattle in grazing systems to increase ADG, but can be labor intensive. This study evaluated the performance of steers grazing smooth bromegrass pastures supplemented dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) either daily or three times per week. Crossbred steers (n = 144, initial BW 317 ± 1.25 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design with 3 treatments allocated randomly to 24 paddocks in one of 6 blocks. Treatments consisted of: 1) steers supplemented daily with 0.8% of BW (DM-basis) of DDGS, 2) steers supplemented three times a week with 1.86% of BW (DM-basis) of DDGS, and 3) steers that received no supplementation (control). All steers were implanted with 40 mg trenbolone acetate and 8 mg estradiol (Rev-G; Merck Animal Health, De Soto, KS) implants. Paddocks were divided equally into three strips and rotationally grazed. Put-and-take steers were utilized to match stocking rate with forage growth. Each treatment group rotated through three 0.81-hectare strips per pasture. Pre-graze and post-graze biomass was measured at ground level from each paddock at each rotation. Pre-graze biomass samples were used to determine forage availability. Grazing was initiated in early May with cattle removed from pastures in August, for a total of 97 grazing days. Data were analyzed with MIXED procedure of SAS with paddock as experimental unit and treatment and block as fixed effects. Treatment means of ADG and ending BW differed (P < 0.01) among treatments. The control calves gained 0.85 kg/d. The supplemented treatments significantly increased (P < 0.01) ADG compared with the control, with daily supplementation gaining 1.25 kg/d and 3x gaining 1.11 kg/d. The ADG was decreased (P < 0.01) with 3x a week compared with daily supplementation. The differences in ADG resulted in similar differences in final live BW. The control had a finial live BW of 398 kg and final live BW of both supplemented treatments was significantly increased (P < 0.01) when compared with the control treatment. Final live BW of 3x supplemented steers (423 kg) was decreased (P < 0.01) when compared with daily supplemented steers (436 kg). For steers grazing smooth bromegrass pastures, daily supplementation of DDGS resulted in greater gains and therefore greater final BW when compared with three times a week supplementation and the non-supplemented control.

Influence of level of dried distillers grains plus solubles substitution for steam-flaked corn on characteristics of growth performance, and dietary energetics of calf-fed Holstein steers during the initial 16-week growing phase: metabolizable protein versus metabolizable amino acids.

This study evaluates the partial replacement of steam-flaked corn (SFC) with increasing dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) levels in growing-finishing diets for calf-fed Holstein steers. Two experiments were conducted. In trial 1, 100 Holstein calves (136 ± 7 kg) were used to evaluate the effect of DDGS as a metabolizable protein source on cattle growth performance, and dietary energetics of calf-fed Holstein steers during the initial 111 d growing phase. Four dietary levels of DDGS were evaluated (10, 15, 20, and 25%, dry matter basis), replacing SFC (flake density, 0.31 kg/L). In trial 2, four Holstein steers (368 ± 20 kg) with cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used to evaluate treatment effects on characteristics of ruminal and total tract digestion of organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber, nitrogen (N), and indispensable amino acid supply to the small intestine. The increasing level of DDGS did not affect (P ≥ 0.13) average daily gain, gain efficiency, and estimated dietary net energy values. Replacement of SFC with increasing levels of DDGS decreased (linear; P = 0.01) ruminal OM digestion. There was no treatment effect on the flow of microbial nitrogen to the small intestine (P = 0.34) and ruminal microbial efficiency (P = 0.79). However, increasing levels of DDGS in the diet increased (linear; P ≤ 0.04) flow of methionine, histidine, phenylalanine, threonine, leucine, isoleucine, and valine but did not affect (P = 0.74) intestinal supply of lysine. Increasing DDGS in the diet increased (linear, P < 0.01) flow of N to the small intestine but decreased (linear; P < 0.01) ruminal N efficiency. Replacing SFC with DDGS increased intake and amino acid leaving the abomasum. Still, this effect was not sufficient to increase the growth performance of calf-fed Holstein during the first 111 d on feed.

347 Using Whole Cottonseed to Replace Dried Distillers Grains Plus Solubles and Prairie hay in Finishing Rations Balanced for Physically Effective Neutral Detergent Fiber

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of replacing hay and dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) with whole cottonseed (WCS) in diets balanced for physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) on performance, carcass characteristics, and plasma metabolites of finishing cattle. Heifers (n = 103) and steers (n = 104) were blocked by sex and bodyweight (BW) and randomly allocated to pens within block (6 pens per treatment). Pens were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 experimental treatments: a control diet (CON; prairie hay, DDGS, dry-rolled corn, and liquid supplement), and a WCS diet (CTN; WCS, dry-rolled corn, and molasses). A vitamin and mineral supplement and urea were included in both diets at same rate. Data were collected on 14 d intervals through d 56, then every 28 d until harvest. Animals were harvested in 3 different groups based on BW block. Average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) were greater for the CTN treatment overall (P ≤ 0.05), and the CTN treatment tended to have a greater final BW (P = 0.10). Fecal consistency score was greater for CON treatment on d 42, at beginning of the beta-agonist feeding period, and at the final collection (P ˂ 0.03). The CTN treatment had a more neutral fecal pH on d 140 and at the final collection (P ˂ 0.01). No treatment × day interaction (P ≥ 0.70) was detected for plasma glucose, lactate, or urea nitrogen (PUN) concentrations. The CON treatment had greater plasma lactate and PUN concentrations (P ˂ 0.01). A day effect was observed for all analyzed plasma metabolites (P ˂ 0.01). This experiment suggests that WCS improves growth performance and feed efficiency when replacing the roughage and byproduct protein and fat source within a finishing diet.

Ruminal degradation kinetics, intake, digestibility, and feeding behavior of beef steers offered annual or perennial grass-hay with or without supplementation.

Effects of dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) on ruminal fermentation, degradation kinetics, and feeding behavior of steers offered annual (Eragrostis tef; TEFF) or perennial (Bothriochloa bladhii; OWB) grass hay were evaluated. Ruminally cannulated Angus crossbred steers (n = 6; body weight [BW] = 304 ± 11 kg) were assigned to a 4 × 6 unbalanced Latin square design with four treatments arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial: hay type (OWB or TEFF) and DDGS supplementation (0% or 0.5% BW [dry matter {DM} basis]). Steers had ad libitum access to hay. Periods consisted of a 14-d adaptation followed by 7 d of collection. Residues from the in situ incubations (0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 h post-feeding) were fitted to a first-order kinetics model using the NLIN procedure of SAS. The DDGS decreased (P < 0.01) TEFF DM intake (DMI) by 11.3%, while not affecting DMI of OWB. The greatest DMI was observed for steers supplemented with DDGS, regardless of forage, and least in steers consuming OWB without DDGS (hay type × DDGS; P = 0.03). Non-supplemented steers spent more (P < 0.01) time eating hay. Digestibility of DM tended (P = 0.06) to increase with DDGS supplementation. A hay type × DDGS interaction was observed (P ≤ 0.05) on ruminal effective degradable fractions. The rate of degradation, soluble fraction, and the potentially degradable fraction of organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) increased (P ≤ 0.05), while the undegradable fraction of all components decreased (P ≤ 0.01) when steers were offered TEFF compared to OWB. Ruminal DM, OM, and ADF degradation lag-time increased (P ≤ 0.02) in steers offered OWB. Ruminal degradation kinetics were not (P ≥ 0.17) independently affected by DDGS supplementation. Average ruminal pH of steers offered TEFF (P < 0.01) and those offered DDGS (P < 0.01) were lower than OWB and non-supplemented steers. Total concentration of VFA tended (P = 0.09) to increase when DDGS was provided with OWB, while decreasing when TEFF was offered. The acetate:propionate increased (P < 0.01) with DDGS supplementation due to a decrease (P = 0.03) in propionate. Ruminal NH3-N was greater (P = 0.03) in steers offered TEFF compared to OWB, and those supplemented with DDGS (P = 0.03). An annual, in place of a conventional, perennial hay improved intake and digestion of nutrients, without affecting feeding behavior. The supplementation with DDGS appears to affect forage intake, ruminal degradation, and feeding behavior, although not independent of forage quality.

PSIV-21 Impact of Increasing Standardized Ileal Digestible valine:lysine in Diets Containing 30% Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles on Early Grow-finish Pig Performance

Abstract Minimal research has investigated the valine (Val) requirement in grow-finish pig diets, especially when diets contain dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS). Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the standardized ileal digestible (SID) Val:lysine (Lys) requirement in diets containing 30% DDGS. A total of 2,430 pigs (39.4 ± 0.21 kg) were used in a 28-d trial (15 replicates per treatment). Pens were randomly allotted within block to one of six dietary treatments: 30% DDGS diets with a SID Val:Lys ratio of 60, 65, 70, 75, and 80% or a corn-soybean meal diet (CS). Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block, pair-wise comparisons and single degree of freedom orthogonal polynomials (DDGS diets only) were used to evaluate treatment responses, and pen was the experimental unit. Straight broken line (SBL) and quadratic broken line (QBL) regression analysis was used to estimate the SID Val requirement. Increasing SID Val:Lys up to 70% in 30% DDGS increased final BW, ADG and G:F (quadratic; P &amp;lt; 0.001), while increasing SID Val:Lys up to 75% in DDGS diets increased ADFI (quadratic; P &amp;lt; 0.001) Pigs fed CS had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.032) ADG, G:F, and ADFI compared to diets containing 30% DDGS except for cumulative ADFI of pigs receiving diets with 75% SID Val:Lys (P = 0.167). The SBL analysis estimated SID Val:Lys requirement at 66.4, 65.4, and 68.0% for ADG, ADFI, and G:F of pigs from 39.4 to 52.9 kg of body weight (BW) and 66.8, 65.7, and 70.4% for the pigs between the BW of 52.9 and 66.4 kg. The QBL analysis revealed a similar SID Val:Leucine ratio of 52.2% for G:F in both periods. This data suggests a SID Val:Lys requirement of 66.6% in diets containing 30% DDGS for pigs between the BW of 39.4 to 66.4 kg. Increasing the SID Val:Lys ratio in 30% DDGS diets did not improve performance congruent to CS fed pigs.

Ruminal Degradation Kinetics of Beef Steers Fed Annual or Perennial Grass-hay with or Without Supplementation

Abstract The effects of dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) supplementation on ruminal degradation kinetics of steers fed annual [‘Tiffany’Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter; TEFF] or perennial [‘WW-B Dahl’ Old World bluestem, Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz).T. Blake; OWB] grass hay were evaluated. Ruminally cannulated crossbred-Angus steers (n = 6; BW = 304 ± 11 kg) were assigned to a 4 × 6 unbalanced Latin square design with 4 treatments. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial, with factors being hay type (OWB or TEFF) and DDGS supplementation [0 or 0.5% BW (DM basis)]. Steers had ad libitum access to hay and received 110 g of a mineral/vitamin packet daily. Periods consisted of a 14-d adaptation followed by 7 d of collection. Hay types were reverse-incubated at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 96 h post-feeding. Residues from the in situ incubations were fitted to a first-order kinetics model using the non-linear procedure of SAS. The GLIMMIX procedures of SAS were used for the statistical analysis. A hay type × DDGS interaction was observed (P ≤ 0.05) for the estimation of substrate effective degradable fraction of OM, NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose; however, after adjusting with Tukey’s, there were no treatment mean differences (P ≥ 0.08). The rate of digestion, soluble fraction, and the potentially degradable fraction of OM, NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose increased (P ≤ 0.05), while the undegradable fraction decreased (P ≤ 0.01) when steers were fed TEFF, regardless of DDGS supplementation. Ruminal degradation lag-time increased (P ≤ 0.02) by 1.5, 1.45, and 2.6 h for DM, OM, and ADF, respectively in steers fed OWB, regardless of DDGS supplementation. Ruminal degradation kinetics were not (P ≥ 0.17) independently affected by DDGS supplementation. Future investigations should elucidate the interaction between supplementation and forage quality.

249 Evaluation of FluidQuip Dried Distillers Grains plus Solubles in Cattle Finishing Diets

Abstract A 112 d finishing study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) from the MSC-Fiber stream of the FluidQuip post-fermentation fiber separation process compared to conventional DDGS. Yearling crossbred steers (n = 240, initial BW = 463 ± 35kg) were blocked by initial BW, stratified by BW, and assigned randomly to pen (n = 30; 8 steers/pen). Treatments were arranged as a 2×2 + 1 factorial with DDGS type (MSC DDGS [MSC]; Conventional DDGS [CONV]) and inclusion level (20 or 40% diet DM) as the factors. All treatments were compared to a corn-based control (CON). DDGS replaced a 60:40 blend of high-moisture corn and dry-rolled corn. All diets contained 7.5% alfalfa hay and supplement. Data were analyzed as a randomized block design with pen as experimental unit and block as fixed effect. Increasing concentrations of CONV or MSC resulted in a linear increase in DMI (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Steers fed 40% MSC had the greatest DMI (P &amp;lt; 0.01) while CON steers had the least (P &amp;lt; 0.02). Daily gains for MSC steers linearly increased (P = 0.03), while CONV steers showed a tendency for a quadratic response to ADG (P=0.08). Feed efficiency of CONV steers increased quadratically (P = 0.04) and tended to decrease linearly (P = 0.09) for steers fed MSC. Efficiency was greatest for 20% CONV but not different (P &amp;gt; 0.16) than CON, or 20% MSC. Steers fed 40% MSC or 40% CONV were not different in feed efficiency. Inclusion of MSC DDGS resulted in linear increases in DMI and ADG over CON, but decreased feed efficiency by 1.0 and 5.3% resulting in MSC DDGS having a relative feeding value of 95.0 and 86.7% of corn at 20 and 40% DM, respectively.

247 The effect of diet on the microbial community structure and composition in lactating Jersey cows consuming a mixture of straw and dry distillers grains plus solubles in replacement of alfalfa hay

Abstract The rumen microbial community is responsible for producing a majority of the energetic needs for the animal, yet our understanding of the rumen microbiome is in its infancy. To better understand the effect of corn-ethanol coproducts on rumen microbial communities, a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design study utilizing 12 cows in three squares was conducted to evaluate the replacement of alfalfa hay with a mixture (CoP) containing straw and dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) in lactating Jersey cows. The experimental treatments were (proportions on a dry matter basis): a control diet (CON) containing 18.2% of alfalfa hay with no straw or DDGS. A low coproduct diet (LCoP) containing 12.1% alfalfa, 2.1% straw, and 6.0% DDGS. A medium coproduct diet (MCoP) containing 6.1% alfalfa, 4.2% straw, and 12.1% DDGS. A high coproduct diet (HCoP) containing 6.2% straw, 18.1% DDGS with no alfalfa. Rumen digesta samples were collected via an esophageal tube. No differences were observed for milk production and dry matter intake (P ≥ 0.307) (mean ± SEM) 19.5 kg ± 0.60, 29.6 kg ± 0.91, across treatments, while a decrease in methane was observed (P &amp;lt; 0.01) for the HCoP treatment. The bacterial community was assessed by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Additionally, the archaeal community was assessed by sequencing the V4-V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Amplicon Sequence Variants were identified using the DADA2 pipeline. No significant differences were observed for the bacterial (P = 0.334) and archaeal (P = 0.593) communities. Although global effects in microbial community dynamics were not observed, differential taxa were observed with Lachnospiraceae being the major differentially abundant Family. The archaeal community composition demonstrated that Methanobacteriales to be the differentially abundant Order across treatments, and may contribute to methane production.

Relative value of field pea supplementation compared with distillers grains for growing cattle grazing crested wheatgrass

The objective was to determine a salvage value for field peas (FP) relative to dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) and establish a pricing system for FP as a supplement for growing cattle in regions where FP are grown and DDGS has limited availability. In a 2-yr study, 114 heifers each year (294 ± 34.6 kg, yr 1; 306 ± 16.3 kg, yr 2) grazed crested wheatgrass pastures (n = 12). Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with the main factors being supplement type (FP or DDGS) and level (0.4 or 0.8% of BW). Pasture was the experimental unit, and cattle were blocked by BW. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design. There were no interactions between supplement type and level ( P > 0.22). Level of supplement was not different ( P > 0.15) for ADG (1.00 vs. 1.06 kg/d) or BW (416 vs. 421 kg) for 0.4 versus 0.8% BW, respectively. Heifers supplemented DDGS had greater gain ( P = 0.02) than those supplemented FP (1.09 vs. 0.98 kg/d, respectively). Final BW was greater for heifers supplemented with DDGS (425 kg) compared with FP (411 kg; P = 0.04). Field pea–supplemented heifers had 10% lower ADG and 9% greater cost of gain compared with DDGS-supplemented heifers. Field peas are an acceptable grazing supplement but result in ADG 10% less than DDGS, with a supplement cost of gain 9% greater than DDGS, warranting approximately 10% price reduction before transportation.

PSII-32 Effects of feeding 60% dried distillers grains plus solubles or the equivalent sulfur as calcium sulfate on hydrogen sulfide gas production in the rumen

Abstract Objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of feeding 60% dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) or the equivalent sulfur from calcium sulfate (CaSO4) to yearling beef bulls on ruminal hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The hypothesis for this study was that bulls consuming elevated concentrations of sulfur in their diet will have an increase in H2S present in the rumen. Twenty-four crossbred beef bulls (10 months of age, BW=319.6 kg) were assigned one of three treatments 1) corn based diet containing 60% concentrate (CON, S=0.2%, n = 8); 2) diet containing 60% DDGS as a replacement for corn (DDGS, S=0.44% DM, n = 8); 3) CON diet+ equivalent sulfur of DDGS in diet added as CaSO4 (SULF, S=0.43%, n = 8). Bulls were individually fed in Calan gates at 2% of BW. Ruminal gas samples were taken via rumen puncture 4 to 6 hours post feeding on d0, 14 and 42. Concentrations of H2S were determined using hydrogen sulfide detector tubes which were connected to a volumetric gas pump (Gastec, Kanawaga, Japan). Data were analyzed as repeated measures using the MIXED procedures of SAS for effects of day, treatment, and a day × treatment interaction. A day × treatment interaction was present for ruminal H2S (P = 0.005). On d0, there was no effect of treatment (P = 0.97). Bulls fed DDGS or SULF had similar H2S concentration on d14 (P = 0.06), while animals fed CON had lower H2S concentration (P = 0.004). On d42, concentrations of H2S was greater in SULF than all other treatments (P£0.006), while DDGS was greater than CON (P£0.05). Elevated H2S in bulls fed the SULF treatment compared with the DDGS treatment may indicate that ruminal availability of sulfur (S) in CaSO4 was greater than that of the combination of sulfuric acid and S-containing amino acids present in DDGS.

Late gestation supplementation of corn dried distiller's grains plus solubles to beef cows fed a low-quality forage: III. effects on mammary gland blood flow, colostrum and milk production, and calf body weights.

Objectives were to investigate the effects of supplementation with corn dried distiller's grains plus solubles (DDGS) to late gestating beef cows on arterial blood flow to the mammary glands during late gestation and early lactation; colostrum and milk production; dystocia and immunity; and calf BW. Cows were fed a control (CON; n = 15; 5.1% CP; 36.2% ADF) diet consisting of 90% corn stover and 10% corn silage on a dry basis offered ad libitum or CON diet with supplementation of DDGS (0.30% of BW; SUP n = 12). Mammary gland blood flow was assessed on day 245 of gestation. At parturition, maternal and calving parameters were assessed; colostrum and jugular blood was sampled; and dams were weighed. Mammary gland blood flow and milk production was measured on day 44 of lactation. Calves were weighed fortnightly for 8 wk and at weaning. Colostrum production tended to be greater in SUP dams than in CON dams (837 vs. 614 ± 95 g, P = 0.10). Calves of SUP dams were heavier at birth and 24 h (0 h, 43.2 vs. 39.8 ± 1.0 kg, P = 0.02; 24 h, 44.0 vs. 40.4 ± 1.1 kg, P = 0.02). At birth and 24 h, blood pCO2 was greater in calves born to SUP dams (6.82 vs. 6.00 ± 0.41 kPa, P = 0.04). Serum IgG did not differ (P = 0.21) at 24 h. Ipsilateral mammary gland blood flow of SUP cows was greater than CON cows (2.76 vs. 1.76 ± 0.30 L/min; P = 0.03); however, when summed with contralateral, total blood flow was similar (P = 0.33). Hemodynamic measures on day 44 of lactation were similar (P ≥ 0.32). Milk production tended to be increased (13.5 vs. 10.2 ± 1.2 kg/d, P = 0.07) in SUP vs. CON cows. Despite similar BW through 56 d, calves from SUP cows were heavier (P = 0.04) at weaning (309.7 vs. 292.0 ± 6.0 kg). In conclusion, we accept our hypothesis that DDGS supplementation during gestation influenced mammary blood flow, milk production and calf weights. These findings implicate maternal nutrition's leverage on both nutrient and passive immunity delivery to the calf early in life as well as potential advantages on long-term performance.

Quality effects on beef strip steaks from cattle fed high-protein corn distillers grains and other ethanol by-products.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding high-protein corn distillers grains on fresh beef quality. Steers (n = 60) were fed one of five diets for 190 d (six pens with 10 cattle/pen/diet): a corn control (Control), 40% high-protein dry distillers grains plus solubles (HP-DDGS), 40% dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS), 40% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS), or 40% bran plus solubles (Bran). Eighteen Choice carcasses (three cattle per pen) were randomly selected within each treatment; however, two carcasses were lost during carcass selection. Strip loins (Longissimus lumborum, IMPS # 180) were collected, divided into three equal portions, and aged for 2, 9, or 23 d. Steaks were fabricated following each aging period and placed under retail display (RD) conditions for 0, 4, or 7 d. Pen was the experimental unit. Hot carcass weight at harvest was 391 kg (SD 31.6 kg). Dietary treatment had no effect on tenderness (Warner-Bratzler shear force) within each aging period (P > 0.05). After 7 d of RD, following all aging periods, steaks from cattle fed HP-DDGS had the greatest visual discoloration except for DDGS and Bran after 23 d (P < 0.05). The steaks from cattle fed HP-DDGS had lower (P < 0.05) redness (a*) values than all other treatments following 7 d of RD. Lipid oxidation increased (P < 0.001) during RD at all aging periods, as measured via thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). A day of RD-by-dietary treatment effect (P < 0.001) was observed for lipid oxidation. After 7 d of RD, steaks from cattle fed HP-DDGS had higher TBARS than all other treatments except WDGS (P < 0.01). A trend was found for sarcomere length (P = 0.07), with steaks from cattle fed Bran having the longest sarcomere length compared with all other treatments. An aging effect was found for free calcium content (P < 0.001) where steaks aged 9 and 23 d had significantly higher levels of free calcium than those aged 2 d. There was a tendency (P = 0.07) that steaks from cattle fed WDGS contained more free calcium than steaks from cattle fed DDGS or Bran. Although there were no statistical differences, there was a trend (P = 0.07) that steaks from cattle fed HP-DDGS had higher levels of PUFAs and C18:2. These results suggest that feeding high protein distillers grains has no detriment on tenderness, but may alter the lipid profile of the muscle, resulting in decreased color stability, increased lipid oxidation, and decreased shelf life.

Evaluation of Brassica carinata meal on ruminant metabolism and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients in beef steers1,2.

Brassica carinata is a new oilseed crop with the potential of producing high-quality jet biofuel. A high-protein meal (~40% crude protein) is obtained as a byproduct of hexane-solvent oil extraction; however, limited research is available on the use of this meal as a protein supplement for beef cattle. A duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design was used to determine the effects of supplementation with B. carinata meal on ruminal fermentation, digestibility, and blood metabolites in beef cattle consuming bahiagrass hay (Paspalum notatum Flüggé), compared with frequently used protein supplements. Eight Angus crossbred steers (473 ± 119 kg initial BW) were randomly allocated to 8 pens, over 4 periods of 28-d each. Within period, steers were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) 1.62 kg/d cottonseed meal (CSM); 2) 2.15 kg/d dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS); 3) 1.39 kg/d B. carinata meal pellets (BCM); or 4) 1.17 kg/d soybean meal (SBM), supplemented daily, on an isonitrogenous basis. Steers had ad libitum access to bahiagrass hay and water. Intake was measured using the GrowSafe system. Following a 14-d adaptation, feed and fecal samples were collected to determine apparent total tract nutrient digestibility using indigestible NDF as an internal marker. Blood and ruminal fluid samples were collected before providing the protein supplements and then every 3 h, during a 24-h period, to analyze urea nitrogen (PUN) and glucose in plasma, as well as ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and VFA concentrations. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with repeated measures. Model included the fixed effects of treatment, time, treatment × time, square, and period, and the random effects of steer(square) and steer(treatment). No effect of treatment (P > 0.05) was observed for pH, NH3-N, or glucose concentration. An effect of treatment (P < 0.01) was observed for PUN, with steers receiving SBM having greater concentrations. A treatment × time interaction was observed (P < 0.05) for total VFA concentration, acetate to propionate ratio, and molar proportions of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and valerate. Steers consuming SBM had greater molar proportions of branched-chain VFA (P < 0.01) compared with CSM and DDGS. There was no effect of treatment (P > 0.05) on intake or apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients. Brassica carinata performed similarly to commonly used protein supplements indicating its viability as a protein supplement for beef cattle.