Supplemental Corn Research Articles

PSXIII-7 Effects of whole corn on gain and subsequent feedlot and carcass traits of Brahman steers stocked on Tifton 85 bermudagrass

Abstract Supplementation (SUP) of stocker calves is used to enhance gain and/or adjust for stocking rates (SR). Our objective was to determine the influence of whole corn on performance of steers stocked on Tifton 85 bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. X Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst] (T85) that has documented forage crude protein ranging from 18.5% in June to 13.5% in September. For a 3-yr period, Brahman (Bos indicus) steers, 15 mo old and 275 kg body weight (BW), were stocked on T85 and received daily whole corn at 0 (PAS), 0.3% BW (SUP3), or 0.6% BW (SUP6). A fourth treatment included SUP6 at an increased stocking rate (SUP6SR). The 3-yr average SR of 275 kg steers was 11 steersּ ha-1 on PAS, SUP3, and SUP6, and 15 steersּ ha-1 on SUP6SR. Average daily gain (ADG) was similar for SUP steers at 0.98 kgּ d-1 (SUP6), 0.92 kgּ d-1 (SUP3), and 0.92 kgּ d-1 (SUP6SR), but greater (P = 0.002) than PAS steers at 0.84 kgּ d-1. Steer gainּ ha-1 was greatest (P = 0.001) for SUP6SR at 1230 kgּ ha-1. Gain ha-1 was similar for SUP6 and SUP3 at 1,010 kgּ ha-1 and 941 kgּ ha-1, respectively, and similar for SUP3 and PAS (860 kg-1). Body weights off pasture tended to be greater (P = 0.083) for all SUP steers at 370 kg than PAS steers at 354 kg. Body condition score off pasture was similar for all SUP steers at 5.7 and different (P = 0.001) from PAS steers at 5.2. At termination of stocking, steers were shipped 700 km to a commercial feedlot in South Texas. Each year, steers were fed in the same pen until a visual assessment of about 1.25 cm backfat was attained. Days on feed were similar for all steers at 190 d. Feedlot ADG was similar for steers on SUP3 (1.36 kgּ d-1), PAS (1.34 kgּ d-1), and SUP6SR (1.29 kgּ d-1), but greater (P = 0.045) than steers on SUP6 (1.24 kg d-1). These feedlot ADG exhibited some compensatory gain effects from pasture treatments. Off feedlot weights were similar at 620 kg. Steers were transported 60 km to an abattoir for harvest and carcass trait evaluations. There were no differences across treatments for steer hot carcass weight, 367 kg; 12th rib fat thickness, 1.13 cm; marbling score, 395; calculated yield grade, 3.10; longissimus dorsi area, 85.02 cm2; or internal fat (kidney-pelvic-heart), 1.92%. With SUP:extra gain at 12.5:1 for SUP3 and 13.8:1 for SUP6, supplementation of whole corn for Brahman steers stocked on T85 was not as efficient as previous T85 x SUP experiments with DDGS, but may offer management options for specific cattle classes and ownership-stocking strategies.

399 Effect of feeding palm oil products on finishing cattle performance, carcass characteristics, and methane production

Abstract The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate feeding palm oil products on feedlot cattle performance and methane production. Steers (n = 320; 380 ± 14.5 kg) were allocated to 40 pens in a randomized block design and assigned to 1 of 5 treatments consisting of different sources of supplemental fat: 1) No Oil; negative control containing 0.0% supplemental fat, 2) Corn Oil; positive control containing 4.0% supplemental corn oil, 3) Whole Palm; 4.0% supplemental whole palm oil, 4) Olein; 4.0% supplemental palm olein oil, or 5) Stearin; 4.0% supplemental palm stearin oil. Cattle consuming Corn Oil, Olein and Stearin all had greater (P = 0.04) final body weight (BW) and hot carcass weight (HCW) than cattle consuming no oil but were not different (P > 0.11) from each other or from Whole Palm, which was intermediate. Dry matter intake (DMI) of cattle consuming No Oil, Whole Palm and Stearin oil was not different from each other; however, cattle fed Corn Oil had greater intake than Whole Palm (P = 0.03). Corn Oil, Olein, and Stearin all had greater average daily gain (ADG) than cattle consuming No Oil (P = 0.04) but were not different (P > 0.12) from Whole Palm. Adding fat improved feed efficiency (gain to feed; G:F) as all diets including added fat had greater (P < 0.01) G:F than No Oil. Marbling scores were greater (P = 0.01) for Olein and Stearin than Corn and Whole Palm. There were no differences in backfat, ribeye area or liver abscess rate among any treatments (P > 0.74). Gas emissions were evaluated for only the No Oil and Whole Palm treatments. Total methane and methane produced per pound of dry matter intake was less for cattle consuming Whole Palm than No Oil by 14.8% (P < 0.04) while cattle were in the methane chamber. Methane produced per kilogram of ADG for Whole Palm was also reduced (P < 0.01) by 21.4% compared with No Oil. The results of this study indicate feeding palm oil products as a source of supplemental fat in finishing diets increases final BW, ADG, and HCW compared with feeding no supplemental fat, but had minimal impact on DMI resulting in an improvement in G:F. Adding supplemental fat reduced methane emissions in cattle when feeding Whole Palm compared with No Oil. The value of palm oil products in feedlot finishing diets is comparable with feeding corn oil.

Chemical Composition and Storage Stability of Crunchy Snacks Produced from Corn, Red Kidney Beans and Onion Flour

Corn flour is a very important ingredients in producing crunchy snacks. However, the use of other plant sources to supplement corn flour in producing crunchy snacks is not uncommon. This study thus investigated the chemical composition and storage stability of crunchy snack produced from corn, red kidney beans and onion flour. Three samples EOD: Corn: Red Kidney Bean: Onion (70:25:5%); XYZ: Corn: Red Kidney Bean: Onion (70:20:10%); FAV: Corn: Red Kidney Bean: Onion (70:15:15%) and a control ABC: Oyato crunchy snack, were analysed for proximate, mineral, free fatty acid (FFA), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), saponification value (SV), peroxide value (PV), Microbial population and Sensory properties. Proximate Composition; moisture content ranged from 4.03 - 15.33% and crude protein content ranged from 3.33 – 9.52% among the samples. Mineral Composition; P, Ca, Na and Cd ranged between, 31.52 – 51.63 mg/100g, 3.57-4.53 mg/100g, 181.80-314.40 mg/100g, and not detected respectively for the samples. FFA had first month 2.45 – 5.33% and second month 3.14 – 5.33%. Storage stability; TBA first month had 0.18 to 0.51 mgMDA/Kg and second month 1.67 – 2.36 mgMDA/Kg; SV first month had 7.04 - 68.85 mgKOH/g and second month 7.65 to 103.70 mgKOH/g; PV first month had 3.50 to 20.00 meq/Kg and second month 8.50 to 21.50 meq/Kg. The microbial population was relatively low and within safe limits, total viable and fungi count 1.5-7.0×102 Cfu/g and 2.5-9×102 cfu/g after the first month respectively; total viable and fungi count 9.0-45×102 cfu/g and 5.0-25×102 cfu/g after second month respectively. There were no significant differences (p< 0.05) in the crunchiness, mouthfeel and overall acceptability of formulated crunchy snack samples and the commercial crunchy snack. The crunchy snacks investigated in this study has a good sensory evaluation and storage stability.

132 Effects of supplementing corn silage to fall-calving cows grazing tall fescue on cow and calf performance and physiology

Abstract The objective was to test the effect of fescue varieties and supplemental feeding of cows grazing fescue pastures during the growing season on cow and calf performance and physiology. Multiparous and primiparous Angus crossbred cows (n= 45) averaging 151 ± 7 d of gestation at trial initiation, were stratified and assigned to pasture treatment based on estimated calving date and parity. Treatment design was a 2 x 2 factorial with two types of fescue pasture (toxin producing or non-toxin producing) and two levels of supplemental corn silage (non-supplemented or supplemented at 1% of BW DM basis). Each treatment replicate (pasture, n = 3 or 4 pastures per treatment) was stocked with 3 cows. There were seven replicates of non-toxin-producing fescue (5 ppm ± 2.50 SEM ergot alkaloids; 38.6% endophyte infection), and eight replicates of toxin producing K31 fescue pastures (507 ppm ± 0.82 SEM ergot alkaloids; 92.5% endophyte infection). Cows were fed corn silage (38% DM, 7.83% CP DM basis) daily in fenceline bunks and feeding amount was adjusted at weigh dates to maintain 1% of BW DM basis. Cows were weighed on two consecutive days at initiation and upon conclusion of the study after being fed similar diets for 4 d to minimize variation in ruminal fill. Body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), hair score (HS), hair length (HL), and rump fat (RF) measurements were taken at initiation (the middle of the second trimester), trial mid-point (beginning of third trimester), and approximately 2 wk before estimated parturition. Cows remained on experimental pastures through parturition. Data were analyzed as a mixed model with pasture as experimental unit and cows within pasture as subsamples. Initial cow BW and BCS were 558 ± 11 kg (SEM), and 4.9 ± 0.08 (SEM), respectively. For all measures of interest there were no significant interactions observed (P > 0.16). Supplemental feeding tended (P = 0.07) to increase BW gain and rump fat (P = 0.05) regardless of fescue type. Cows grazing toxic fescue tended (P = 0.12) to have a longer hair coat. Likewise, cows grazing toxic fescue had less change in overall HS (P = 0.02). Supplemental feeding of corn silage to cows at 1% of BW DM basis while grazing fescue did not significantly affect gain differences or reduce visible symptoms typical of fescue toxicosis when grazing during the growing season.

The Effects of Harvest Maturity of Eragrostis tef 'Moxie' Hay and Supplemental Energy Source on Forage Utilization in Beef Heifers.

The phenological stage of maturity of grasses and supplementation program can impact forage utilization in grazing beef cattle. However, the potential interaction between harvest maturity of Eragrostis tef (teff) hay and energy supplement source was yet to be fully evaluated. Therefore, our objective was to determine the effects of harvest maturity of teff hay and supplemental energy sources on nutrient intake, apparent total-tract nutrient digestion, nitrogen (N) utilization, and ruminal fermentation characteristics in beef heifers. A split-plot design with teff hay harvest maturity as the whole plot and supplemental energy source as the subplot was administered in a three-period (21 d), three × three Latin square design. Six crossbred beef heifers (804 ± 53.6 kg of body weight; BW) were allocated to two harvest maturities (early- (EH]) or late-heading (LH)) and to two supplemental energy sources (no supplement (CON), or rolled corn grain or beet pulp pellet fed at 0.5% of BW). Data were analyzed using SAS. There was no harvest maturity × energy supplement interaction. Although harvest maturity had no impact on total dry matter intake (DMI), crude protein (CP) intake was greater (p < 0.01) for EH than LH heifers. Total intakes of dry (DM) and organic matter (OM) were also greater (p < 0.01) for supplemented than CON heifers, whereas acid detergent fiber (ADF) intake was greater for beet pulp heifers compared to heifers fed the CON diet and supplemental corn grain. Harvest maturity had no impact on ruminal pH. However, mean ruminal pH was lower (p = 0.04), duration pH < 6.2, and molar proportions of butyrate and branched-chain fatty acids were greater (p ≤ 0.049) for heifers fed corn grain compared to CON and beet pulp diets. Heifers fed EH hay had greater (p ≤ 0.02) apparent total-tract DM, OM, CP, NDF, and ADF digestibility than heifers fed LH hay. Although there was no supplemental energy effect on microbial nitrogen (N) flow, it was greater (p < 0.01) for EH than LH heifers. Apparent N retention, which did not differ, was negative across all diets. In summary, delaying the harvest of teff hay from the EH to LH stage of maturity compromised nutrient supply, which was not attenuated by feeding supplemental corn grain and beet pulp at 0.5% of diet DM. Because N retention was negative across harvest maturity, there might be a need to provide both energy and protein supplements to improve growth performance when feeding teff hay to beef cattle.

Performance of grazing sheep kept on tamani grass supplemented with Parkia platycephala pods replacing corn in the multiple supplements

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Parkia platycephala pods in the supplements for grazing sheep on intake, digestibility, and animal performance. Twenty-four sheep (21.26 ± 2.87 kg) were used by a completely randomised design with six animals per treatment. The evaluated treatments were mineral salt (MS), mineral salt + urea/ammonium sulfate (urea-supplement; UR), multiple supplements based on corn + soybean meal (MSCS), and multiple supplements in which P. platycephala pods replaced 50% of corn (MSPP). The supplements evaluated did not affect pasture intake, and total dry matter (DM) intake was higher for animals fed multiple or UR than those fed with MS. Sheep fed multiple supplements presented 55.57% higher crude protein (CP) intake than those fed MS or UR. Neutral detergent fibre intake was 17.76% lower in sheep fed MS than those fed other supplements. Animals fed multiple supplements presented higher digestibility for DM and CP than those fed MS or US. Animals fed multiple supplements presented 54.61% higher total body weight gain and 54.79% higher average daily gain than those fed MS or US. Thus, Parkia platycephala pods can replace 50% of corn in multiple supplements without compromising the performance of grazing sheep.

Meat Quality Traits in Beef from Heifers: Effect of including Distiller Grains in Finishing Pasture-Based Diets

Distiller grains (DG), which are the by-product from the bioethanol industry, represent an interesting alternative as animal feedstock. To our knowledge, little information is available on the inclusion of DG on the quality of meat from pasture-fed heifers. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of DG inclusion in pasture-based systems on the main meat quality attributes of Charolais x Aberdeen Angus heifers. For this purpose, meat from heifers fed with a pasture-based diet without supplementation (P) or with 0.75% of live weight DG supplementation (PDG; DG plus dry-rolled corn, 50:50) or with 0.75% of live weight dry-rolled corn supplementation (PRC) was evaluated. Physical (pH, WHC, color, texture), sensory and nutritional (fat content, fatty acid, and amino acid profile) attributes were evaluated in beef samples. No effect of supplementation was observed on meat pH or color (p &gt; 0.05). Meat from PDG heifers showed higher values of WBSF than meat from P heifers (p = 0.039). However, the overall tenderness evaluated by trained panelists showed no differences due to supplementation (p &gt; 0.05). Our results indicate that the inclusion of DG as a partial corn-replacement supplementation for heifers under grazing represents a strategic tool not only related to meat quality, but also as an alternative to reduce food–feed competition.

Stimulating effects of whooper swans’ behaviors on nutrient releasing from the sediments caused by different human feeding intensities in the swan Lake, China

In many shallow water lakes of China, as the numbers of tourists observing waterflow increases, the amount of supplemental food provided to waterflow also increases. However, little attention has been paid to the role of waterfowl’s behavior perturbation in N and P nutrients releasing from the sediment. In this study, five feeding experiments were undertaken in the Swan Lake (Shandong Province, northern China) during the wintering season and a noticeable release of nutrients in all experiments was found by the disturbance of the swan behaviors. The release of TN and TP was through three stages including the non-release stage, the rapid release stage, and the stable release stage. Moreover, supplemental food also influenced the swan behavior changes and triggered the frequency of the swans’ grazing and aggression. The aggressive behaviors among the swans stirred nutrient (N & P) releasing from sediments and altered TN and TP concentrations in the water columns, indicating that the aggressive behaviors may be a significant factor in affecting the TN and TP releasing from the sediment. Human feeding intensity (HFI) suggested > 850 g of supplemental corn can be an optimal way to aid in avoiding foraging competition among the swans to control nutrient release by three levels of human feeding intensity assessment. Our findings demonstrate that under the swans’ optimal foraging need in natural versus artificial feeding scenarios, the swans acted as biological pumps to increase nutrient release. There is a need for a systematic and evidence-based feeding strategy for swans, with greater restrictions on the provision of small food items scattered by visitors. Our study provided novel insights into the release mechanism of N and P from bioturbation and could help to inform a whooper swan conservation strategy in coastal wetlands and nature reserves.

Supplementing branched-chain volatile fatty acids in dual-flow cultures varying in dietary forage and corn oil concentrations. II: Biohydrogenation and incorporation into bacterial lipids

To maintain membrane homeostasis, ruminal bacteria synthesize branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA) or their derivatives (vinyl ethers) that are recovered during methylation procedures as branched-chain aldehydes (BCALD). Many strains of cellulolytic bacteria require 1 or more branched-chain volatile fatty acid (BCVFA). Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate BCVFA incorporation into bacterial lipids under different dietary conditions. The study was an incomplete block design with 8 continuous culture fermenters used in 4 periods with treatments (n = 4) arranged as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial. The factors were high (HF) or low forage (LF, 67 or 33% forage, 33:67 alfalfa:orchardgrass), without or with supplemental corn oil (CO; 3% dry matter, 1.5% linoleic fatty acid), and without or with 2.15 mmol/d (5 mg/d 13C each of isovalerate, isobutyrate, and 2-methylbutyrate). After methylation of bacterial pellets collected from each fermenter's effluent, fatty acids and fatty aldehydes were separated before analysis by gas chromatography and isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Supplementation of BCVFA did not influence biohydrogenation extent. Label was only recovered in branched-chain lipids. Lower forage inclusion decreased BCFA in bacterial fatty acid profile from 9.45% with HF to 7.06% with LF and decreased BCALD in bacterial aldehyde profile from 55.4% with HF to 51.4% with LF. Supplemental CO tended to decrease iso even-chain BCFA and decreased iso even-chain BCALD in their bacterial lipid profiles. The main 18:1 isomer was cis-9 18:1, which increased (P < 0.01) by 25% from CO (data not shown). Dose recovery in bacterial lipids was 43.3% lower with LF than HF. Supplemental CO decreased recovery in the HF diet but increased recovery with LF (diet × CO interaction). Recovery from anteiso odd-chain BCFA and BCALD was the greatest; therefore, 2-methylbutyrate was the BCVFA primer most used for branched-chain lipid synthesis. Recovery in iso odd-chain fatty acids (isovalerate as primer) was greater than label recovery in iso even-chain fatty acids (isobutyrate as primer). Fatty aldehydes were less than 6% of total bacterial lipids, but 26.0% of 13C recovered in lipids were recovered in BCALD because greater than 50% of aldehydes were branched-chain. Because BCFA and BCALD are important in the function and growth of bacteria, especially cellulolytics, BCVFA supplementation can support the rumen microbial consortium, increasing fiber degradation and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis.

132 Weight and Reproduction Response to a Peanut Skins Plus Corn Supplement Offered to Heifers Grazing Spring Wheat Pasture During Artificial Insemination Breeding

Abstract The objective was to assess heifer weight and reproduction response to a peanut skins plus corn supplement during spring wheat grazing. In spring of 2021 and 2022, 10 and 8 pastures (1.62 ha/pasture) of fall overseeded wheat were randomly assigned to supplement (SUP) or control (CONT) constrained to the same number of replications per treatment. Pastures were stocked with 6 heifers/pasture each year. The initial goal was to use peanut skins as a single ingredient; however, testing palatability in year 1, before spring grazing, demonstrated a need to create a mixed supplement for improved acceptance. Over 5 weeks from initiation of grazing to breeding, heifers were transitioned from a 33:67 to a 50:50 peanut skins:corn mix. Supplement was offered at 0.5% BW, as-fed, at the start of spring wheat grazing in early March. An additional 2.4% and 8.3% inclusion of dried molasses was incorporated to further enhance acceptance in year 1 and 2, respectively. Estrus synchronization (ES) began March 31 and April 5 for each year. Data were analyzed across year with year considered as a random effect and pasture the experimental unit. Initial weight was 12 ± 5.8kg greater (P = 0.05) for SUP. Weight at ES tended (P = 0.11) to be 9.4 ± 5.55kg greater for SUP. Reproduction tract score was similar (P = 0.55), averaging 4.2 ± 0.13, and heifers were of similar (P = 0.33) age (405 ± 4.1 days) at time of insemination. Average daily gain from initial wheat grazing until removal for natural service breeding did not differ between treatments (P = 0.92) and averaged 1.0 ± 0.21 kg. Body condition score was similar (P = 0.43) at ES and averaged 5.7 ± 0.7. The heavier initial BW of SUP heifers was sustained through wheat grazing (P = 0.05). Ultrasound determined pregnancies averaged 66.7 and 50.0 ± 6.6% for SUP and CONT, respectively, for an odds ratio of 2.1 ± 0.79 (P = 0.08) at 30 days after insemination. Overall pregnancy rates following natural service averaged 88.9 and 79.6 ± 4.88% for SUP and CONT, respectively with an odds ratio of 2.1±1.12 (P=0.19). High dietary protein has been associated with reduced reproductive performance. Using the peanut skins plus corn supplement was hypothesized to improve reproduction on a high protein diet due to the possible effect of peanut skins tannins on dietary protein utilization and corn altering the rumen degradable protein to organic matter ratio. While the fixed time artificial insemination pregnancy rates for CONT would not be considered poor, there was a tendency for SUP to secure more pregnancies among heifers of similar age, reproductive tract score, and body condition.

Availability of Supplemental Corn for Sandhill Cranes, Light Geese, and Dabbling Ducks Wintering in New Mexico

Abstract The Middle Rio Grande Valley of central New Mexico overwinters the majority of the Rocky Mountain Population of greater sandhill cranes Antigone canadensis tabida and numerous Midcontinent Population lesser sandhill cranes A. c. canadensis, light geese (i.e., snow Anser caerulescens and Ross's geese Anser rossii), and dabbling ducks (i.e, Anas spp.). Stemming from changes in agricultural practices and loss of habitat, these species have become largely dependent on public lands where corn supplements natural foraging resources, providing a key dietary component while also discouraging crop depredation on private lands. To evaluate if supplemental corn provides a sufficient resource base, we estimated energy available in corn resources and seasonal energy requirements of the sandhill cranes, which consisted of the Rocky Mountain Population and Midcontinent Population. Additionally, we considered energetic requirements for two other wintering guilds, light geese and dabbling ducks. Depletion rates of postmowed corn increased throughout winter from 3,673 ± 843 kg/ha/d (mean ± SE) in December to 7,014 ± 1,884 kg/ha/d in February. The estimated seasonal energetic requirement of the Rocky Mountain Population and Midcontinent Population was 1.14 × 109 kcal (95% CI = 1.07 × 109 to 1.21 × 109 kcal). The combined seasonal energetic demand of the Rocky Mountain Population, Midcontinent Population, light geese, and dabbling ducks was 4.23 × 109 kcal (95% CI = 3.81 × 109 to 4.53 × 109 kcal) or 911,813 kg of corn (95% CI = 820,821–1,006,894 kg). From 2014 to 2017, corn production on public lands in the Middle Rio Grande Valley was 1,052,006 ± 58,965 kg grown on an average of 76 ha, sufficient for winter energetic requirements of all guilds. Interagency collaboration, effective planning during the growing season, and strategic schedules for mowing supplemental corn crops that integrate population abundances and their respective energy demands should further promote success of the supplemental corn program in the Middle Rio Grande Valley.

Effects of corn supplementation on serum and muscle microRNA profiles in horses.

Laminitis associated with equine metabolic syndrome causes significant economic losses in the equine industry. Diets high in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) have been linked to insulin resistance and laminitis in horses. Nutrigenomic studies analyzing the interaction of diets high in NSCs and gene expression regulating endogenous microRNAs (miRNA) are rare. This study's objectives were to determine whether miRNAs from dietary corn can be detected in equine serum and muscle and its impacts on endogenous miRNA. Twelve mares were blocked by age, body condition score, and weight and assigned to a control (mixed legume grass hay diet) and a mixed legume hay diet supplemented with corn. Muscle biopsies and serum were collected on Days 0 and 28. Transcript abundances were analyzed using qRT-PCR for three plant-specific and 277 endogenous equine miRNAs. Plant miRNAs were found in serum and skeletal muscle samples with a treatment effect (p < .05) with corn-specific miRNA being higher than control in serum after feeding. Endogenous miRNAs showed 12 different (p < .05) miRNAs in equine serum after corn supplementation, six (eca-mir16, -4863p, -4865p, -126-3p, -296, and -192) previously linked to obesity or metabolic disease. The results of our study indicate that dietary plant miRNAs can appear in circulation and tissues and may regulate endogenous genes.

Individual feed intake and performance of finishing steers on ryegrass pasture supplemented with increasing amounts of corn using an automated feeding system

Beef production in subtropical areas is mainly based on extensive grazing systems. During the winter, a drop in the forage quantity is common, energy supplementation may help maintain desired production levels. To measure the effect of increasing levels of corn supplementation on the individual forage intake and feed efficiency of finishing steers, we conducted a 99-d experiment during the winter-spring season in Uruguay. Sixty Aberdeen Angus steers (average BW 464.0 ± 29.7 kg) with access to the same sward of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) were managed under a strip-grazing system (sward height post-grazing: 5 cm) and access to an automated supplement feeder until slaughter. Steers were blocked by BW and previous supplement intake and randomly assigned to one of four groups of 15 animals: control (CON, 0.1% BW of corn), low supplementation (LS, 0.4% BW of corn), moderate supplementation (MS, 0.8% BW of corn), and high supplementation (HS, 1.2% BW of corn). Corn was pelleted with TiO2 to estimate fecal production. Diet digestibility was estimated with acid-insoluble ash concentration. The average daily forage allowance was 3.6 kg DM/100 kg BW per day. Supplement intake was 0.5, 1.8, 3.6, and 4.3 kg DM/d for CON, LS, MS, and HS group, respectively. Corn added at 0.4% BW resulted in a greater (P ≤ 0.01) forage intake than other treatments. A quadratic response was observed for forage (P ≤ 0.05) and total diet (P ≤ 0.01) intake to increasing rations of supplements. Total diet digestibility was greater (P ≤ 0.01) for CON and LS steers than for those from MS and HS; and an inverse, linear relationship with supplementation levels was observed (P ≤ 0.01). Steers grew faster with increasing amounts of supplementation (P ≤ 0.01) in comparison to CON cattle, responding quadratically (P ≤ 0.05) to added corn. Cattle from the CON group showed the lowest hot carcass weight (P ≤ 0.01). Finishing cattle on ryegrass pasture (low post-grazing sward height) using 0.6 to 0.8% BW of corn supplementation is the best option to obtain a better intake, performance, and carcass weight, being an alternative to reduce days on fattening and/or the cost of feeding animals.

Influence of corn supplementation to beef cows during mid- to late-gestation: Supplementation decreases placental microvascular surface density but does not alter uterine blood flow or neonatal performance1

Gestating cows fed low-quality forage diets are often at risk of nutrient restriction, including energy, protein, or both. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing corn to gestating beef cows fed low-quality forage by tracking uterine and mammary hemodynamics and neonatal performance. We hypothesized that mid- to late-gestating beef cows receiving corn supplementation would have enhanced uterine and mammary hemodynamics and increased placental microvascularity. At d 100 of gestation, multiparous cows, predominantly of Angus breeding, and carrying male calves were assigned randomly to the following treatments: supplementation (SUP; n = 24) at the level of 0.2% (dry matter basis) of body weight (BW) or basal diet without supplement (CON; n = 23). All cows were fed the same basal diet (60% hay, 30% wheat straw, and 10% concentrated separator by-product). Intake was monitored individually with Insentec feeders from d 100 of gestation through calving. Every 28 days from the beginning of supplementation at d 100 until d 240 of pregnancy, uterine and mammary hemodynamics were monitored using Doppler ultrasonography, and jugular blood samples were obtained to determine hormone concentrations. At birth (CON: 277.6 ± 3.1 days; SUP: 275.5 ± 2.8 days; mean ± stdev), cow and calf BW, colostrum samples, and placental tissues were collected. Representative cotyledons were excised from fetal membranes and histological image analysis of placental vascularity with hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted. All measurements and data collected were analyzed with the MIXED procedure and means were separated using the LSMEANS statement in SAS. Hemodynamics, placental weight, and colostrum variables were not altered by supplementation (P ≥ 0.13). Placental microvascular surface density was suppressed (P < 0.01) by maternal corn supplementation. The differences in nutrient intake were not great enough to elicit differences in uterine or mammary hemodynamics, even though placental vascular surface density was decreased by corn supplementation in multiparous beef cows. Moreover, the few alterations in the maternal endocrine profiles due to corn supplementation did not translate into negative endocrine or early developmental changes in the offspring. Corn may be a good substitute for hay when costs and availability are economically advantageous to the producer.

Evaluation of Repellency of Stop the Bites® Botanical Pesticide to White-Tailed Deer at Corn Feeders

Stop the Bites® botanical pesticide was evaluated for repellent properties against white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmerman), at feeders with supplemental corn, Zea mays L., in Cameron County, Texas. The pesticide was tested as a ground treatment around feeders and as spray applied directly to deer as they consumed corn at supplemental feeders. With either treatment, there was no significant difference in numbers of white-tailed deer at the feeders compared to the paired nontreated check. The botanical pesticide may be useful for treatment of cattle fever ticks (Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini) and Rhipicephalus annulatus (Say)) on deer at supplemental corn feeders during the hunting season when ivermectin-treated corn is withdrawn, or for treatment using a remotely operated sprayer at fence crossings for tick-infested nilgai, Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas).

Corn or wheat-based diet to manipulate lipid content in early embryos of Jersey cows

Numerous field observations and previous reports have described a breed effect on embryonic survival to cryopreservation. Embryos collected from Jersey cows show a poor survival rate compared to Holstein embryos due to their rich intracellular lipid content. Less well documented in the scientific literature, but also reported from field observations, it was proposed that survival rates can be improved by removing corn from the feedstuff. This project was aimed to test whether corn replacement would modify intracellular lipid content in Jersey cow embryos. Non-lactating purebred Jersey cows were fed with an isoenergetic diet supplemented with either corn or wheat. Embryos were collected in vivo following ovarian stimulation and insemination. Results show only marginal impact on blood lipids. Overall, embryos were morphologically indistinguishable. Some lipids known to be associated with lower cryotolerance were significantly impacted by the treatment namely triacylglycerol, sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine. Corn supplementation significantly diminished mitochondrial activity in blastomeres. These treatment effects suggest an indirect mechanism potentially impacting embryo quality through mitochondrial dysfunction rather than direct lipid uptake.

Nutritional Regimes Enriched with Antioxidants as an Efficient Adjuvant for IBD Patients under Infliximab Administration, a Pilot Study.

Antioxidants are privileged candidates for the development of adjuvants able to improve the efficiency of pharmacological therapies, particularly for chronic inflammatory syndromes. During the last 20 years, anti-TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha) monoclonal antibodies infusion has been the biological therapy most frequently administered but there is still large space for improvement in disease remission rates and maintenance. In this context, nutritional bioactive compounds contained in dietary patterns or included as supplements, may act as adjuvants for the induction and maintenance of IBD (inflammatory bowel diseases) remission. To verify this possibility, a single-center preliminary study (SI-CURA, Soluzioni Innovative per la gestione del paziente e il follow up terapeutico della Colite UlceRosA) was designed and carried out to evaluate whether a daily administration of purple corn supplement could improve the response to Infliximab (IFX) infusion of IBD patients with both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). A cohort of 47 patients was enrolled in the study. Biological samples were collected before the first and the third IFX infusion. All patients received nutritional guidelines, 27 of them received commercial red fruit tea with low anthocyanins content, while 20 received a purple corn supplement with a high anthocyanin content. Results show that the administration of an antioxidant-enriched purple corn supplement could improve IFX-mediated disease remission in terms of circulating inflammatory markers. Comparison between CD and UC patients revealed that, at this anthocyanin dosage, the purple corn extract administration improved the IFX response in CD but not in UC patients. Our results may pave the way for a new metacentric study of CD patients, recruiting a wider cohort and followed-up over a longer observational time.

The effect of corn supplementation on α-tocopherol concentration and oxidative stability in three muscles of grass-fed Holstein bulls

Context Lipids are important in improving the flavour and aroma of beef and increasing its tenderness and juiciness. However, it is generally accepted that lipid oxidation is the main process responsible for deterioration of meat quality during storage. Naturally occurring antioxidants in pasture play an important role in protecting beef from oxidation. Aims The effects of feeding Holstein bulls grass alone or grass supplemented with high-energy ground corn on α-tocopherol content and oxidative stability of beef were investigated. Methods Thirty-three Holstein bulls, 15 months of age, fed grass alone after weaning were randomly divided into three groups and fed for 85 days as follows: (1) grass ad libitum only, (2) grass ad libitum and supplemented with 4 kg/day ground corn; (3) grass ad libitum and supplemented with 8 kg/day ground corn. Samples from three different muscles, longissimus thoracis, semitendinosus and supraspinatus, were analysed for α-tocopherol content and two oxidation parameters: reactive thiobarbituric acid substances (TBARS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Key results Levels of α-tocopherol ranged from 2.7 to 3.1 μg/g in beef from animals fed only grass, whereas levels of 1.9–2.5 μg/g were observed in beef from animals supplemented with ground corn. Inclusion of corn in the bulls’ diets resulted in lower α-tocopherol and FRAP levels (P &lt; 0.05) and higher TBARS content (P &lt; 0.05) in the three muscles studied. Conclusions Supplementation of grass-fed bulls with ground corn resulted in muscles having less vitamin E and a reduced antioxidant capacity. Implications To produce high-quality beef, grass-fed Holstein cattle should be fed high-energy forages such as corn. However, this supplementation decreases the oxidative stability of the meat, most likely due to a reduction in the amount of α-tocopherol ingested via the grass.

Effect of degree of processing supplemental corn on metabolizable protein of beef cows consuming low-quality forage supplemented with cottonseed meal

Effect of degree of processing supplemental corn on metabolizable protein of beef cows consuming low-quality forage supplemented with cottonseed meal

Carcass and meat quality of young Angus steers with different growth potential finished exclusively grass-fed or corn supplemented.

Beef cattle production has a large variety of systems with different performance and technology levels. This study compared young Angus steers carcass and meat quality traits of high growth potential early-finished animals fed exclusively on pasture with low growth potential late-finished animals. Besides the grazed forage, the low growth potential group received corn grain at 0.8% of their body weight right after the slaughtering of the first group. Following weaning, the 20 steers grazed pastures composed of oat, ryegrass, and clovers. At winter's onset, animals were moved to native pastures improved with fescue and clovers. The supplemented period of late steers began when the first group of ten early-finished animals reached the requirements for slaughter. Supplementation ended when the animals got the slaughter requirements. The high growth potential steers showed a ribeye area (P < 0.0001) and a Longissimus muscle width highly significantly (P < 0.0001) superior to the low growth group. However, corn-supplemented animals showed better dressing percentage (P < 0.0001), subcutaneous fat thickness (P < 0.0001), marbling (P < 0.0001), and muscle (P = 0.0033) scores, but lower shear force (P = 0.0001). The finishing system did impact fat lightness (L*; P = 0.0234) at the slaughter time. Grass-fed animals showed higher red-green color parameter (a*) values than corn supplemented on fat at 24h (P = 0.0439) but lower hue angle (P = 0.0418). The consumer panel showed better results for tenderness and general acceptability for supplemented animals beef compared to grass-fed. The supplementation resulted in a higher carcass standardization. It also provided higher PUFA: MUFA and n-6: n-3 ratios, and a higher amount of n-3. Supplemental corn grain did not have adverse effects upon the beneficial effects to human health of the grass-fed beef.