Sweet Bran Research Articles

Using Sweet Bran instead of forage during grain adaptation in finishing feedlot cattle.

Two trials evaluated adapting cattle to a finishing diet using wet corn gluten feed compared with traditional methods using forage. A 33-d grain adaptation metabolism trial (Exp. 1) compared decreasing wet corn gluten feed (Sweet Bran; Corn Milling unit, Cargill Corn Milling, Blair, NE) while increasing corn inclusion (SB) and a traditional grain adaptation system decreasing alfalfa hay while increasing corn with no Sweet Bran inclusion (CON). Ruminal pH, intake characteristics, and 24-h in situ digestibility were evaluated using 8 ruminally fistulated steers (291 kg BW [SD 19]). Steers (4/treatment) were adapted to finishing diets across 4 periods consisting of 5, 7, 7, and 7 d and then fed a finishing diet for 7 d. No period × adaptation diet interactions were observed ( ≥ 0.12). Average ruminal pH decreased ( < 0.01) whereas time and area below a pH of 5.6 increased ( ≤ 0.02) for the SB adaptation system compared with the CON adaptation system. Cattle adapted using SB had greater DMI than cattle adapted using CON ( < 0.01). As steers were adapted to finishing diets, DMI increased ( = 0.01), average ruminal pH decreased ( = 0.05), and time and area below a pH of 5.6 increased ( ≤ 0.04) for both treatments. Ruminal pH for CON steers decreased from 6.59 to 6.12 across periods as corn replaced alfalfa hay whereas ruminal pH decreased from 6.00 to 5.79 for SB steers. Steers adapted using SB had greater ( ≤ 0.05) in situ digestion of adaptation diets than steers adapted using CON for adaptation periods 3, 4, and 5. The SB diets were more digestible than the CON diets when incubated in either CON- or SB-fed steers for adaptation periods 1 and 2 ( < 0.01). Experiment 2 used 240 finishing steers (273 kg BW [SD 14]) to determine performance impacts of using Sweet Bran instead of forage to adapt cattle to finishing diets. Steers were fed either decreasing Sweet Bran inclusion while increasing corn (SB) or decreasing alfalfa hay inclusion while increasing corn (CON). Treatments were applied only during grain adaptation (26 d) and all steers were finished on a common diet containing 35% Sweet Bran for an additional 147 d. Steers adapted using SB had greater ( ≤ 0.01) final BW, ADG, G:F, and HCW compared with steers adapted using CON, even though treatments differed only the first 26 d. Grain adaptation treatment had no effect ( ≥ 0.13) on carcass quality. These results indicate that Sweet Bran can be used to adapt cattle to finishing diets instead of forage and improves ADG and G:F while decreasing the forage needs of feedlots.

Interactive effects of bulk density of steam-flaked corn and concentration of Sweet Bran on feedlot cattle performance, carcass characteristics, and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility1

Two hundred twenty-four steers (initial BW = 363 ± 1.57 kg) were used in a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial arrangement of treatments to evaluate the interactive effects of concentration of wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) and bulk density (BD) of steam-flaked corn (SFC) on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and apparent total tract digestibility. Diets consisted of 0, 15, or 30% WCGF (DM basis) with a BD of SFC at 283 or 360 g/L. The additional treatment consisted of 15% WCGF, SFC at 283 g/L, and a 6% inclusion of alfalfa hay vs. 9% for all other treatments. Steers were fed once daily for an average of 163 d. During a 5-d digestion period, DMI was measured, and fecal samples were collected for measurement of nutrient digestibility using dietary acid insoluble ash as a marker. There were few WCGF × BD interactions for feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and digestibility. Similarly, contrasts between the treatment containing 15% WCGF/360 g/L SFC and 15% WCGF/360 g/L with 6% hay yielded few differences for performance and carcass data. Final BW responded quadratically (P ≤ 0.02) to WCGF inclusion and showed increased (P ≤ 0.007) BW for greater BD. As WCGF inclusion increased, G:F and calculated NE values (P ≤ 0.03) decreased quadratically. Steers consuming 360 g/L SFC had greater (P < 0.05) G:F than those fed 283 g/L SFC. Marbling score, HCW, 12th-rib fat thickness, and calculated yield grade increased quadratically (P ≤ 0.04) with increased inclusion of WCGF. Percentage of cattle grading premium Choice or greater responded quadratically (P = 0.04) to WCGF concentration. Increasing BD increased (P ≤ 0.01) HCW, dressing percent, marbling score, and 12th-rib fat thickness and decreased calculated yield grade and percentage of cattle grading Select; however, lower BD tended (P = 0.09) to increase LM area. Intake of DM, OM, CP, and NDF and fecal output during the digestibility period increased linearly (P ≤ 0.01) with increasing WCGF, and greater BD increased (P ≤ 0.04) intake of DM, OM, starch, and CP. Starch digestibility decreased quadratically (P = 0.008) as WCGF increased; however, digestibility of CP and NDF increased (P ≤ 0.02) linearly as WCGF increased. The 283 g/L BD increased (P ≤ 0.02) starch and CP digestibility compared with 360 g/L. These data suggest that increasing WCGF in feedlot diets with a greater BD of SFC can increase performance and carcass characteristic, but it might not be ideal for starch digestibility.

Oxidation of cooked ground beef links from cattle fed distiller's grains in different phases of production

Heifers were randomly assigned to a dietary treatment in a 2 X 2 design factorial that included 2 or 5 lb/head/ day (DM basis) supplementation of wet distillers grains during the winter backgrounding phase and finished on a corn based diet with 40% dietary inclusion (DM basis) of either Sweet Bran or modified wet distillers grains. During the summer months, all cattle were supplemented with modified wet distillers grains at a rate of 0.6% of BW. A total of 16 USDA Choice clods, four carcasses from each dietary treatment group, were collected. Each clod was independently ground 14 days post-harvest. Beef (with no fat content formulation) and non-meat ingredients, 0.75% sodium chloride and 0.25% sodium phosphate, were mixed for one minute and the mixture was stuffed into skinless links using a piston stuffer. Links were placed in individual foil trays for each clod and cooked in a smokehouse to an internal temperature of 160°F. The links were placed in zip-top bags with the presence of oxygen and placed in refrigerated dark storage. Lipid oxidation was evaluated on days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) analysis. Data were analyzed as a 2 X 2 factorial with repeated measures (day) using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, N.C.).

Effects of bulk density of steam-flaked corn in diets containing wet corn gluten feed on feedlot cattle performance, carcass characteristics, apparent total tract digestibility, and ruminal fermentation1

The effects of varying bulk density of steam-flaked corn (SFC) in diets containing wet corn gluten feed (WCGF; Sweet Bran; Cargill Corn Milling, Blair, NE) have not been defined. In Exp. 1, yearling steers (n = 108; initial BW = 367 ± 1.18 kg) were housed in 27 pens (4 steers/pen) and received 1 of 3 different SFC bulk density treatments in a randomized complete block design. Bulk density treatments were 283, 335, or 386 g/L SFC in diets containing 25% WCGF (% of DM). Steers were fed once daily to provide ad libitum access to feed for an average of 163 d. For a 5-d period before d 70 of the experiment, DMI was measured, and fecal samples were collected from each pen for measurement of nutrient digestibility using dietary acid insoluble ash as a marker. Varying bulk densities of SFC did not affect (P ≥ 0.233) overall DMI, ADG, or G:F on a live- or carcass-adjusted basis. Dressing percent and LM area increased linearly (P ≤ 0.05) as bulk density increased, but other carcass traits were not affected by treatments. Intake of DM, OM, and CP during the 5-d digestion phase did not differ among bulk densities; however, starch intake increased linearly (P = 0.004) as bulk density of SFC increased. Digestibility of DM, OM, and CP tended (P ≤ 0.065) to decrease and starch digestibility decreased (P = 0.002) linearly as bulk density of SFC increased. In Exp. 2, a 3 × 3 Latin square design was used for collection of ruminal fluid from 3 ruminally cannulated Jersey steers adapted to the same diets used in Exp. 1. Bulk density did not affect NH3 concentrations, VFA molar proportions, ruminal fluid osmolality, and IVDMD of the diets. Total gas production increased linearly (P = 0.003) as bulk density of SFC increased from 283 to 335 g/L, but it decreased (P = 0.002) at 386 g/L. Present data suggest that bulk density can be increased up to 386 g/L in finishing diets containing 25% (DM basis) WCGF without affecting cattle performance and with limited effects on ruminal fermentation; however, digestibility of starch seemed to be affected negatively by increased bulk density in these diets.

Effects of receiving diets based on wet corn gluten feed on performance and morbidity of newly received beef heifers and in vitro fermentation

<h2>ABSTRACT</h2> Two proprietary complete starter diets (RAMP and Test Starter) based on Sweet Bran wet corn gluten feed were compared with a 65%-concentrate receiving diet (control) in terms of performance and health of newly received heifers and in vitro fermentation of diet substrates. In Exp. 1, 2 truckloads of beef heifers (n = 238; average initial BW=184 kg) were fed the experimental diets during a 35-d receiving period. Initial BW did not differ (P > 0.35) among dietary treatments, but BW on d 35 was greater (P = 0.002) for control heifers than for the average of heifers fed the 2 complete starter diets. Average daily gain (P ≤ 0.001), intake of milled feed DM (P ≤ 0.001), and G:F (P ≤ 0.001) were greater for the control diet than for the average of the 2 complete starter diets at all the measurement periods. The proportion of heifers treated one or more times for bovine respiratory disease (P ≥ 0.433) did not differ among the 3 dietary treatments. In Exp. 2, the 3 receiving diets were used to evaluate in vitro total gas production, IVDMD, and VFA proportions. Total gas produced was greater (P = 0.013) for the control than for the average of RAMP and Test Starter substrates. In contrast to gas-production results, IVDMD was greater (P ≤ 0.013) for the 2 Sweet Bran–based substrates than for the control at most incubation times. Total VFA and the acetate:propionate ratio did not differ (P > 0.052) between control and average of the RAMP and Test Starter substrates, but proportion of butyrate was increased (P = 0.002) with the 2 complete starter substrates compared with the control. Results indicate that heifers fed the 2 complete starter diets used in this experiment did not perform as well as control heifers, but dietary treatments did not affect bovine respiratory disease morbidity during the receiving period. Contrasting results for IVDMD and gas production presumably reflect differences in major ingredients of the substrates and perhaps the proportion of soluble components in Sweet Bran.

Effects of varying rates of tallgrass prairie hay and wet corn gluten feed on productivity of lactating dairy cows

Productivity of lactating dairy cows fed diets with wet corn gluten feed (WCGF, Sweet Bran, Cargill Inc., Blair, NE) as the primary energy substrate and prairie hay as the primary source of physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) was assessed relative to a control diet. Forty-eight Holstein cows, 100 to 250 d in milk, were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 pens and pens were randomly assigned to treatment sequence in a replicated 3×3 Latin square. Treatments were a control diet with 18% alfalfa, 18% corn silage, 33% WCGF, and 15% forage NDF (CON); a diet with 20% tallgrass prairie hay, 46% WCGF, and 13% forage NDF (TPH20); and a diet with 14% tallgrass prairie hay, 56% WCGF, and 9% forage NDF (TPH14). Midway through period 2, TPH14 was discontinued due to the high prevalence of diarrhea among cows on that treatment. Data from period 2 for TPH14 pens were discarded, and the pens that had been assigned to TPH14 for period 3 were randomly assigned to the other 2 treatments. Pen-level data were analyzed using linear mixed models, including the random effects of period and pen and the fixed effect of treatment. For animal-level data, additional random effects were introduced to account for subsampling. No evidence for treatment effects was apparent on dry matter intake. Least squares mean milk yields were 36.2, 34.6, and 35.2kg/d for CON, TPH20, and TPH14, respectively, and were not significantly different. Milk fat concentration was higher for CON and TPH20 than for TPH14, with means of 3.48, 3.41, and 2.82%, respectively. Fat yield was significantly greater for CON compared with TPH20 and TPH14. Milk urea nitrogen was greatest for TPH20 and TPH14 and least for CON, consistent with differences in dietary protein content. Efficiencies, expressed as energy-corrected milk divided by dry matter intake, were 1.47, 1.42, and 1.24 for CON, TPH20, and TPH14, respectively, and were not significantly different. These data indicate that TPH14 did not provide adequate peNDF to support normal rumen function in mid lactation dairy cows; instead, TPH20 may be a feasible diet for use on dairies where high-NDF grass hay and WCGF are available.

Effects of feeding increasing levels of wet corn gluten feed on production and ruminal fermentation in lactating dairy cows

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary inclusion rates of wet corn gluten feed (WCGF; Sweet Bran; Cargill Inc., Blair, NE) on milk production and rumen parameters. Four primiparous and 4 multiparous ruminally cannulated Holstein cows averaging 90±13 d in milk (mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 sequences in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment with 28-d periods. Treatments were diets containing 0, 11, 23, and 34% WCGF on a dry matter basis; alfalfa hay, corn silage, corn grain, soybean meal, expeller soybean meal, and mineral supplements were varied to maintain similar nutrient concentrations across diets. Performance and measures of ruminal fermentation were monitored. Linear and quadratic effects of increasing WCGF inclusion rate were assessed using mixed-model analysis. Increasing dietary WCGF linearly increased dry matter intake (26.7, 25.9, 29.3, and 29.7 kg/d for 0, 11, 23, and 34% WCGF, respectively) and milk production (36.8, 37.0, 40.1, and 38.9 kg/d). Concentrations of milk components did not differ among treatments; however, protein and lactose yields increased linearly and fat yield tended to increase linearly when more WCGF was fed. This led to greater production of energy-corrected milk (38.2, 38.8, 41.7, and 40.4 kg/d) and solids-corrected milk (35.2, 35.7, 38.5, and 37.2 kg/d), but efficiency of production linearly decreased. Increased WCGF in the diet tended to linearly decrease ruminal pH (6.18, 6.12, 6.14, and 5.91), possibly because mean particle size was below typical recommendations for all diets, and diets with greater proportions of WCGF had a smaller mean particle size. Ruminal acetate concentration decreased linearly and propionate increased linearly as WCGF inclusion rate increased. Treatments had a quadratic effect on ammonia concentration, with greater concentrations for the 0 and 34% WCGF diets. In situ digestibility of soybean hulls showed a significant diet-by-time interaction, and increasing dietary levels of WCGF linearly decreased in situ neutral detergent fiber disappearance at 24h. Change in body condition score increased linearly with increasing WCGF inclusion rate. Results indicate that adding WCGF to dairy rations can increase energy-corrected milk yield, and this increase appears to be driven, at least in part, by an increase in dry matter intake.

Effects of alfalfa hay inclusion rate on productivity of lactating dairy cattle fed wet corn gluten feed-based diets

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying the alfalfa inclusion rate in diets containing 31% (dry matter basis) wet corn gluten feed (Sweet Bran, Cargill Inc.). Eighty primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows averaging 178 ± 90 d in milk (mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 sequences in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28-d periods. Treatments were diets containing 0, 7, 14, or 21% alfalfa on a dry matter basis, with corn silage, corn grain, soybean meal, expeller soybean meal, and mineral supplements varying across diets to maintain uniform nutrient densities. Diets were formulated for similar crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and nonfiber carbohydrate concentrations. Feed intake, milk production, body weight, and body condition score were monitored, and linear and quadratic effects of increasing the alfalfa inclusion rate were assessed using mixed model analysis. As the alfalfa inclusion rate increased, dry matter intake tended to increase linearly (26.7, 27.3, 27.4, and 27.5 kg/d for 0, 7, 14, and 21% alfalfa, respectively), and solids-corrected milk (29.9, 30.2, 30.8, and 30.5 kg/d) and energy-corrected milk production (32.9, 33.3, 33.8, and 33.6 kg/d) tended to increase linearly. Body weight gain decreased linearly (22.9, 18.0, 11.2, and 9.5 kg/28 d) with increasing alfalfa inclusion rate. Although increasing the inclusion rate of alfalfa increased the proportion of large particles in the diets, treatments had no effect on milk fat yield or concentration. Feeding more alfalfa (up to 21% of dry matter) tended to increase milk yield while decreasing body weight gain, suggesting that metabolizable energy utilization shifted from body weight gain to milk production in these treatments. However, adding alfalfa to the diet had only minor effects on productivity.

Effects of concentration and composition of wet corn gluten feed in steam-flaked corn-based finishing diets.

Two finishing experiments were conducted to determine the effects of concentration (Exp. 1) and composition of wet corn gluten feed (Exp. 2) in steam-flaked corn-based diets on feedlot steer performance. In Exp. 1, 192 English x Continental crossbred steer calves (299 +/- 0.6 kg) were used in a completely randomized design with six dietary treatments (four pens per treatment). Treatments were six concentrations of wet corn gluten feed (Sweet Bran, Cargill Inc., Blair, NE; 0, 10, 20, 25, 30, and 35%) replacing steam-flaked corn (DM basis). All diets contained 10% corn silage, 5% supplement, and 3.5% tallow (DM basis). Gain efficiency and ADG were similar (P > 0.25) among treatments. Dry matter intake was lower (P < 0.10) with 0% wet corn gluten feed than with concentrations of 20, 25, and 35% WCGF. Dry matter intake did not differ among treatments containing wet corn gluten feed. In Exp. 2, 160 English x Continental crossbred steer calves (315 +/- 0.6 kg) were used in a completely randomized design with five dietary treatments (four pens/treatment). Treatments were assigned based on four ratios of steep to corn bran/germ meal mix in wet corn gluten feed plus a negative control (CON). Wet corn gluten feed was fed at 25% of the dietary DM and was made by mixing steep and corn bran/germ meal into the diet. The four concentrations of steep in wet corn gluten feed that comprised the ratios were 37.5, 41.7, 45.8, and 50% (DM basis), with the remaining proportion being the bran/germ meal mix. Bran/germ meal mix was comprised of 60% dry corn bran, 24% germ meal, and 16% fine-cracked corn (DM basis). All diets contained 10% corn silage, 5% supplement, and 3.5% tallow (DM basis). Daily gain did not differ (P = 0.18) among treatments. Gain efficiency did not differ between CON and 50% steep; however, G:F was decreased (P < 0.05) for concentrations of 37.5, 41.7, and 45.8% steep compared with CON. A linear improvement (P < 0.05) was observed for G:F as concentration of steep increased as a proportion of wet corn gluten feed. These data suggest that wet corn gluten feed can be used at concentrations up to 35% of the dietary DM without adversely affecting performance, and that steep has more energy than bran/germ meal in steam-flaked corn-based diets.

Addition of urea to finishing cattle diets containing steam-flaked corn and wet corn gluten feed (2001)

Three hundred thirty-nine crossbred beef heifers were used in a 74-day finishing study to evaluate effects of adding 0.5% urea to finishing diets containing steam-flaked corn and 34% (dry basis) Sweet Bran® wet corn gluten feed (WCGF). Diets were fed once daily ad libitum. Urea addition tended (P<0.06) to increase finishing average daily gain, to improve (P<0.12) feed efficiency, and to increase (P<0.06) fat thickness. Heifers fed urea had a lower percentage (P<0.03) of carcasses grading USDA Choice. This study suggests that finishing diets containing a combination of steam-flaked corn and WCGF may benefit from addition of urea as a source of supplemental ruminally available nitrogen.

Performance of beef heifers limit-fed growing diets containing alfalfa hay and wet corn gluten feed (2001)

Three hundred thirty-nine crossbred beef heifers were used in a 99-day growing study to identify optimum combinations of alfalfa hay and wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) in limit-fed growing diets. Diets contained 10, 20, or 30% ground alfalfa hay, and 0, 40, or 68% Sweet Bran WCGF (dry basis) in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. An interaction occurred (P 0.10) to diets containing 20 or 30% alfalfa hay and no WCGF. Feed efficiencies for the 30% alfalfa hay and 40% WCGF diet were better (P<0.05) than the diet containing 30% alfalfa hay and no WCGF. Dry matter intake as measured two hours after feeding increased linearly (P<0.01) with increasing levels of alfalfa hay, and decreased linearly (P<0.01) with increasing levels of WCGF. This study suggests that including WCGF at 40% of the diet (dry basis) can effectively replace steam-flaked corn in limit-fed diets containing 20 or 30% alfalfa hay.

Alfalfa hay levels in limit-fed, high-energy, growing diets for beef steers (2000)

One hundred sixty-four crossbred beef steers were used in a 102-day growing study to determine optimum levels of alfalfa hay in limit-fed, high-energy, growing diets. Diets contained steam-flaked corn and 40% Sweet Bran® brand wet corn gluten feed (dry matter basis) with 0, 10, or 20% ground alfalfa hay. A fourth diet containing steam-flaked corn (no Sweet Bran) and 20% ground alfalfa hay was used as a control. Average daily gains and feed efficiencies in the growing phase were greater (P<.05) for cattle fed no alfalfa than for cattle fed the control, 10% alfalfa, or 20% alfalfa diets. Steers fed the control and 20% alfalfa diets had increased rates of dry matter intake (P<.05) compared to those fed no alfalfa. At the end of the growing phase, all cattle were placed on a common finishing diet and fed for 101 days. Dry matter intakes during the finishing phase for cattle previously fed no alfalfa were numerically less than intakes for cattle fed other diets and significantly less than intakes for cattle previously fed the control diet. Feed efficiencies were greater for cattle previously fed 20% alfalfa diets than those fed the control diet (P<.05). Average daily gains did not differ (P>.40) among diets during the finishing phase.