Wet Brewers Grains Research Articles

Short communication: Comparison of predicted dietary phosphorus balance using bioavailabilities from the NRC (2001) and Virginia Tech model

The objective of the current work was to use digestion coefficients from the Feng et al. (2015) model (Virginia Tech model) to calculate P bioavailability of common feeds used in dairy production. Compared with the bioavailability calculated by the Virginia Tech model, using the NRC (2001) P absorption coefficient of 0.64 for forages would underestimate the bioavailabilities of alfalfa hay, alfalfa silage, corn silage, grass hay, and mixed mainly legume silage. For concentrates, using the NRC (2001) P absorption coefficient of 0.70 would overestimate the bioavailabilities of corn grain but underestimate bioavailability of high-moisture corn. Two dairy diets were formulated using nutrient values from the NRC (2001): a standard diet that includes minimal by-products, and a by-product diet that has reduced corn and soybean meal which was replaced with corn gluten feed, distillers grains, hominy feed, and wet brewers grains. For each diet, total bioavailable P was calculated using availability values from the NRC (2001) and the Virginia Tech model. Comparison of P balance (the difference between required and bioavailable P) for each diet was made using the 2 sets of bioavailabilities for a reference cow weighing 682kg, producing 38.6kg of milk/d (3.5% fat and 3.0% true protein, 100d in milk), and consuming 23kg of dry matter/d, yielding an absorbed P requirement of 59.4g/d. The standard diet supplied 56.69 and 53.52g of bioavailable P per day using bioavailabilities from the NRC (2001) and Virginia Tech models, respectively, resulting in a P balance of −2.71 and −5.88±0.26g/d. The by-product diet provided 75.75 and 78.47g/d of bioavailable P, yielding P balances of 16.35 and 19.07±0.37g per day, respectively, using the 2 sets of bioavailabilities. Using P bioavailabilities for individual ingredients that were based on the Virginia Tech model resulted in different bioavailable P levels thus resulted in differing dietary P balances in a field setting.

Dry matter loss and nutritional composition of wet brewers grains ensiled with or without covering and with or without soybean hulls and propionic acid

ABSTRACT The present study evaluated the variation on nutritional composition of wet brewers grains mixed with soybean hulls or propionic acid and stored from 7 to 63 d. On d 0, treatments were randomly assigned to buckets (24 buckets per treatment) and consisted of wet brewers grains with no addition (NOADD) and added with soy hulls at 15 or 30% of DM (15SH and 30SH) and propionic acid at 0.40% of wet weight (PROP). Effects of mixture × time were detected ( P ≤ 0.05) for total DM loss and mean pH. Total DM loss of 15SH and 30SH was greater ( P ≤ 0.01) or did not differ ( P ≥ 0.48) compared with NOADD, whereas PROP tended ( P ≤ 0.09) to lessen total DM loss. Effects of mixture × time were detected ( P ≤ 0.0004) for concentrations of TDN, CP, ADF, NDF, and crude fat of nonspoiled DM material. Regardless of treatment, concentrations of TDN, ADF, NDF, CP and crude fat of nonspoiled DM mixture increased with storage days. Effects of mixture × time were detected ( P ≤ 0.02) for concentrations of macro and trace minerals. Regardless of treatment, concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, Na, and K decreased, whereas concentrations of S, Cu, Fe, and Zn increased as storage time increased. Overall, adding soy hulls at 15 or 30% of DM resulted in the greatest total DM loss and variation on nutrient composition, whereas adding propionic acid at 0.40% of wet brewers grains wet weight resulted in least DM loss and effect on nutritional composition.

Effects of replacing ground corn with wet brewers grains on growth performance and concentrations of liver trace minerals and plasma fatty acids of preconditioning beef heifers fed medium-quality fescue hay

ABSTRACT Our goal was to evaluate growth performance and concentrations of liver trace minerals and plasma fatty acids of beef heifers supplemented with wet brewers grains (WBG) replacing ground corn (CN). On d 0, 27 Angus beef heifers (218 ± 3 kg; 225 ± 23 d of age) were randomly assigned into 1 of 9 drylot pens (3 heifers per pen). Treatments were randomly assigned to pens (3 pens per treatment) and consisted of heifers receiving a 42-d period of daily supple- mentation 'with 100% CN, 100% WBG, or a 50:50 mixture of CN and WBG (CNWBG). Supplements provided equal daily supplemental TDN (0.7% of BW). Average daily gain from d 0 to 42 was similar (P = 0.65) between CNWBG and WBG, and tended (P ≤ 0.08) to be least for CN. Hay and total DMI were less (P ≤ 0.05) for heifers fed WBG versus CN and CNWBG supplements in 3 of 6 wk. Thus, G:F was similar (P = 0.63) between CNWBG and WBG but least (P ≤ 0.004) for CN heifers. Intake of S, Cu, Se, and Zn increased (P ≤ 0.05) as WBG replaced corn. Yet, liver concentrations of trace minerals did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.16). Intake of supplemental fat and total fat increased (P ≤ 0.02) as WBG replaced corn. Plasma 18:1 trans-11 and 18:1 cis-9 concentrations were less for WBG versus CN and CNWNG heifers (P ≤ 0.04). Therefore, replacing ground corn with WBG enhanced growth performance but not concentrations of plasma fatty acids and liver trace mineral in beef heifers.

Replacing soybean meal for wet brewer's grains or urea on the performance of lactating dairy cows.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the partial replacement of soybean meal (SBM) for wet brewer's grains (WBG) or urea on the performance of lactating dairy cows. The second investigated whether WBG ensiled with corn kept animal performance in low- and high-producing dairy cows compared with WBG. In experiment I, 40 Holstein cows were used in 4 × 4 Latin square design. The treatments comprised WBG or urea as partial replacement for SBM, as follows: control (diet based on SBM and 1% of urea), 10% of WBG, 20% of WBG, and 2% of urea. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected by treatments. WBG increased milk yield linearly, but it decreased with urea. Milk fat content responded quadratically to WBG levels. Milk protein content decreased, while plasma urea nitrogen increased with high urea addition. In experiment II, 42 Holstein cows were divided into two groups according to production levels. Eighteen cows composed the group of low producing, while the high-producing group comprised 24 cows. The experimental design was a crossover with two periods of 14days. The experimental treatments consisted of feeding WBG or WBG ensiled with ground corn. Regardless of the production level, no difference in milk yield and milk composition between treatments was observed.

Nutrient content of brewers grains produced at a commercial brewery: Variation in protein/nitrogen, fiber, carbohydrate, fat, and minerals

<h2>ABSTRACT</h2> This study analyzed wet brewers grain samples taken from a large commercial brewery. Samples (n=48) taken over a 1-yr period averaged 33.1% CP (previous reports indicated CP% near or less than 30%). Low lysine concentrations and high RUP concentrations indicate a need for proper RUP and amino acid (AA) formulation. Samples were also divided and composited into low- and high-CP groups; every 3 samples, starting from the least to the greatest CP, were composited to produce 16 samples representative of the range in CP. These samples were analyzed for DM, CP, ammonia N, and AA concentration. The 8 lowest CP composites averaged 32.2% CP and the 8 highest averaged 34.0% CP. A difference was observed in AA concentrations (analyzed from borate-phosphate buffer residues, which contain insoluble true protein and are useful in determining RUP) between the 2 groups (P<0.05), but AA profiles were consistent between the 2 CP composite groups. Fiber (NDF) fractions were analyzed both with and without added sulfite. This yielded different results between methods, as samples without added sulfite yielded NDF values greater than current published values; hence, the use of sulfite is recommended for NDF analysis. Fat, starch, sugar, and mineral concentrations were within ranges already published.

Effects of Storage Duration and Temperature on the Chemical Composition, Microorganism Density, and In vitro Rumen Fermentation of Wet Brewers Grains.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of storage duration and temperature on the characteristics of wet brewers grains (WBG) as feeds for ruminant animals. Four storage temperatures (5°C, 15°C, 25°C, and 35°C) and four durations (0, 1, 2, and 3 d) were arranged in a 4×4 factorial design. Surface spoilage, chemical composition and microorganism density were analyzed. An in vitro gas test was also conducted to determine the pH, ammonia-nitrogen and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations after 24 h incubation. Surface spoilage was apparent at higher temperatures such as 25°C and 35°C. Nutrients contents decreased concomitantly with prolonged storage times (p<0.01) and increasing temperatures (p<0.01). The amount of yeast and mold increased (p<0.05) with increasing storage times and temperatures. As storage temperature increased, gas production, in vitro disappearance of organic matter, pH, ammonia nitrogen and total VFA from the WBG in the rumen decreased (p<0.01). Our results indicate that lower storage temperature promotes longer beneficial use period. However, when storage temperature exceeds 35°C, WBG should be used within a day to prevent impairment of rumen fermentation in the subtropics such as Southeast China, where the temperature is typically above 35°C during summer.

버섯폐배지와 맥주박 첨가 섬유질발효사료 급여가 흑염소의 생산성, 사료섭취량 및 영양소 소화율에 미치는 영향

This study was conducted to investigate the feeding effects of total mixed fermentations (TMF) with spent mushroom (Flammuliua velutipes) and wet brewer's grain on estimating the productivity and nutrient utilization of Korean black goats. Four experimental groups were set up with each of the 5 animals for a 30-day feeding trial on growth performance. 12 black goats with regard to nutrient digestibility were allocated to 4 groups of 3 animals each by a latin-square design control group (offered concentrate and rice straw) and 3 treatment groups (TMF with 15% spent mushroom and 25% wet brewer’s grain (T1), 10, 30%(T2) and 5, 35% (T3)). The average daily gain (ADG) of the control and T1 treatment groups was higher than that of the T3 treatment group (p<0.05). Dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intake (kg/head) for T1 and T2 treatment groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (p<0.05). The digestibility of DM and OM for the control group(62.39~63.39%) and the T1 treatment group (65.02™Y 65.25%) were significantly higher than those of the T3 treatment group(56.39, 59.01%) (p<0.05). Further, nitrogen retention was significantly higher in the T1 treatment group (p<0.05). Thus, these results conveyed that productivity and nutrient utilization were similar between TMF with spent mushroom and wet brewer's grain and commercial feeds. However, this study also suggested that feed must contain 25~30% spent mushroom due to the fact that the productivity of Korean black goats was decreased by increasing the content of spent mushroom.(Key words :TMF, Brewer’s grain, Spent mushroom, Feed intake, Nutrient digestibility, Goat)

Digestibilidade da dieta, parâmetros ruminais e desempenho de ovinos Santa Inês alimentados com polpa cítrica peletizada e resíduo úmido de cervejaria

Dois experimentos foram realizados com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da substituição do milho por polpa cítrica peletizada e resíduo úmido de cervejaria sobre a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes da dieta, os parâmetros ruminais e o desempenho de ovinos. As dietas foram definidas pela substituição do milho (controle) pela polpa cítrica peletizada ou pela mistura de resíduo úmido de cervejaria e polpa cítrica. No experimento 1, para avaliação do consumo, da digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes e dos parâmetros ruminais, foram utilizados 12 machos da raça Santa Inês canulados no rúmen, distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos completos casualisados, com três dietas e quatro repetições. No experimento 2, para avaliação do desempenho, foram confinadas 48 fêmeas, que foram alimentadas com as mesmas dietas do experimento 1. A substituição do milho pela polpa cítrica peletizada não influenciou o consumo nem a digestibilidade dos nutrientes da dieta, diferente da inclusão de resíduo úmido de cervejaria, que reduziu o consumo e a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes, com exceção apenas da FDN, cuja digestibilidade aparente foi similar entre as dietas. A inclusão de resíduo úmido de cervejaria na dieta reduziu as concentrações ruminais de acetato e propionato e aumentou a relação acetato/propionato e o pH ruminal. Em geral, não há diferença entre a dieta contendo milho e aquela contendo polpa cítrica em substituição total ao milho. A utilização de resíduo úmido de cervejaria, no entanto, reduz o ganho médio diário, o peso corporal final e a eficiência alimentar.

Resíduo úmido de cervejaria na alimentação de cabras

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da substituição do concentrado pelo resíduo úmido de cervejaria sobre o consumo e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes em cabras. Foram utilizadas cinco cabras mestiças Boer x Saanen e cinco cabras Saanen distribuídas em dois quadrados latinos 5 x 5. As dietas foram compostas de 40% de feno de capim-tifton e os 60% restantes foram compostos de 0, 25, 50, 75 ou 100% de resíduo úmido de cervejaria em substituição ao concentrado. Os consumos de matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), carboidratos totais (CT), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) e fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) ajustaram-se ao modelo quadrático, de modo que os maiores valores foram observados para as dietas sem resíduo úmido de cervejaria e com 25% desse resíduo. Os níveis de resíduo úmido de cervejaria tiveram efeito linear decrescente na digestibilidade aparente de matéria seca, matéria orgânica e carboidratos totais e efeito quadrática na digestibilidade da proteína bruta. O resíduo úmido de cervejaria pode ser utilizado em níveis de até 25% como substituto ao concentrado em dietas para cabras no final da lactação.

Effect of Fermentable Liquid Diets Based on Wet Brewers Grains on performance of Growing Pigs

Aguilera-Soto, J.I., Ramirez, R.G., Arechiga, C.F., Gutierrez-Bañuelos, H, Mendez-Llorente, F., Lopez-Carlos, M.A., Piña-Flores, J.A., Rodriguez-Frausto, H. and Rodriguez-Tenorio, D. 2009. Effect of fermentable liquid diets based on wet brewers grains on performance and carcass characteristics by growing pigs. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 271–274. To evaluate growth and carcass characteristics of pigs fed graded levels of fermentable liquid diets (FLD) based on wet brewers grains (WBG), 32 Landrace × York male pigs (32±4 d; 9.7±1.2 kg) were allotted to one of the four treatment diets containing 0, 15, 30 and 45% WBG (dry matter basis). Animals were weighed every 20 d and dry matter intake (DMI) by pen was recorded daily. At 95 kg pigs were slaughtered and carcass characteristics were measured. Average daily gain of pigs was significantly different among treatments being higher for 0% WBG (660 g day−1) followed by 15% (553), 30% (537) and 45% (507), similar trend was observed for DMI (1895 g day−1, 1881, 1823 and 1771, respectively). Moreover, carcass dressing was significantly different among treatments (71.5%, 70.1, 68.9 and 67.8, respectively). Even though, growth performance was negatively affected by FLD, feeding costs were reduced even when the fattening period was longer. It is suggested that animals may be fed on 30% WBG diets in post-weaning periods and 30 or 45% during growing and finishing periods.

Effect of Feed Additives on Digestibility and Milk Yield of Holstein Cows Fed Wet Brewer Grains

Aguilera-Soto J.I., Ramirez, R.G., Arechiga, C.F., Mendez-Llorente, F., Lopez-Carlos, M.A., Piña-Flores J.A., Medina-Flores C.A., Rodriguez-Frausto, H., Rodriguez-Tenorio, D. and Gutierrez-Bañuelos, H. 2009. Effect of feed additives on digestibility and performance of Holstein cows fed wet brewers grains. J. Appl. Anim. Res. 36: 227–230. To evaluate different feed additives in cows fed wet brewer's grain, 5 ruminal-cannulated Holstein cows (470±45 kg; 18±3 kg d−1 milk), were allotted to a 5x5 Latin-square design. A total-mixed diet containing 33% wet brewers grains (WBG) was provided including: 1) no additives (Control), 2) 1% sodium bicarbonate, 3) 1% sodium bentonite, 4) 33 mg kg−1 sodium monensin and 5) 200 mg kgfibrolityc enzymes. Cows fed bicarbonate or enzymes had significantly higher dry matter intake (DMI). However, apparent digestibility of different nutrients did not differ (P>0.05) among dietary treatments. Similarly except acetate propionate ratio (A:P) none of the ruminal parameters differed among groups. A:P followed the same pattern as DMI. Cows given monensin, enzymes and bicarbonate yielded more milk than control or those given bentonite. Except bentonite all additives increased milk yield.

Effect of Feed Additives in Growing Lambs Fed Diets Containing Wet Brewers Grains

The study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effects of feed additives on ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and performance of lambs fed diets containing 60% wet brewers grains (WBG). In Experiment 1, two simultaneous trials were conducted. Fifty intact (20.2±0.8 kg BW) lambs were used in a feedlot trial and 10 (rumen cannulated; 32±1 kg BW) in a digestion trial. The pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia-N in lambs were also estimated. Lambs were randomly assigned to one of five diets: i) without additives (Con), ii) with 1% bicarbonate (Bic), iii) with 1% bentonite (Ben), iv) with 33 mg/kg monensin (Mon) and v) with 200 mg/kg fibrolityc enzymes (Enz). In Experiment 2, 120 Rambouillet×Pelibuey intact male lambs (19.5±1.5 kg BW) were used in a feedlot trial and randomly assigned to four diets: i) without additives (control), ii) with 1% Bic, iii) with 33 mg/kg Mon and iv) with 1% Bic and 33 mg/kg Mon. In Experiment 1, lambs fed diets containing Bic or Mon had significantly higher final weight, DMI, ADG than other lambs. However, apparent DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF digestibilities and ruminal individual VFA content were similar (p>0.05) among treatments. Conversely, treatment×collection period interaction was significant for ruminal pH and NH3. In Experiment 2, lambs fed diets containing a Bic and Mon combination had significantly higher final weight, DMI and ADG. It is concluded lambs fed

Zilpaterol Hydrochloride on Performance and Sperm Quality of Lambs Fed Wet Brewers Grains

Aguilera-Soto, J.I., Ramirez, R.G., Arechiga, C.F., Mendez-Llorente, F., Lopez-Carlos, M.A., Silva-Ramos, J.M., Rincón-Delgado, R.M. and Duran-Roldan, F.M. 2008. Zilpaterol hydrochloride on performance and sperm quality of lambs fed wet brewers grain. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 34: 17–21. Forty Rambouillet × elibuey male lambs were grouped as light-weight (LW; n =20; 28±1.2 kg BW) and heavy-weight (HW; n = 20; 40.5±1.6 kg BW) to be fed a finishing diet containing 60% wet brewers grain with or without 6 mg kg1 DM ofβ-adrenergic agonist zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH). On d 60 of the feeding trial, ZH was removed and semen collection was measured by electroejaculation. Further, on d 63 animals were slaughtered for carcass and meat quality evaluation. On d 15 of the feeding trial, lambs fed ZH gained significantly (about 25%) more weight. However, at the end of feeding trial (60 d period), ADG, DMI and feed efficiency were unaffected by ZH consumption. Sperm motility was significantly reduced by ZH only in HW lambs; but, sperm concentration was not affected. Conversely, storage loss at 96 h, cooking loss and drip loss were significantly higher and water holding capacity was significantly lower in animals fed ZH. It appears that ZH addition to diet of lambs had not caused positive performance effects during long period of feeding, however, it affected the reproductive performance of rams.

Effect of aerobic exposure after silo opening on feed intake and digestibility of total mixed ration silage containing wet brewers grains or soybean curd residue

Effect of aerobic exposure after silo opening on feed intake and digestibility of total mixed ration silage containing wet brewers grains or soybean curd residue

The effect of replacing brewers' grains with barley tea grounds in total mixed ration silage on feed intake, digestibility and ruminal fermentation in wethers

ABSTRACTFour wethers were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square to study the feed intake, apparent digestibility, nitrogen balance and ruminal fermentation characteristics when fed total mixed ration (TMR) silages which included wet barley tea grounds (WBTG). The TMR silages were prepared using compound feed including wet brewers' grains (WBG), corn, oat hay, alfalfa hay, dried beet pulp, salt and vitamin‐mineral supplement in a ratio of 30.7:15:8:24:10:12:0.15:0.15, respectively, on a dry matter (DM) basis. The WBTG and soybean meal mixture (7:3 on DM basis) were substituted for WBG at ratio of 0% (Control), 5% (LTG), 10% (MTG), and 15% (HTG) on DM of TMR. WBTG addition to the TMR silages increased lactic acid concentration, decreased pH, acetic acid and ammonia‐N (P &lt; 0.001). Feed intakes and digestibilities for LTG and MTG (except ether extract (EE) digestibility) treatments were not different from the control (P &gt; 0.05). However, EE and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake, crude protein, EE and NDF digestibility was lower, but the DM and gross energy digestibility was higher for the HTG treatment compared to control (P &lt; 0.01). With progressive increases in WBTG concentrations, nitrogen intake, fecal nitrogen and retention nitrogen did not differ, but the urinary nitrogen for MTG and HTG treatments were lower than that of the control (P = 0.001). The ruminal total volatile fatty acid concentration and the molar ratios of propionate and butyrate were higher, but the acetate, ratio of acetate to propionate and ammonia‐N content were lower for the HTG treatment compared with the control (P &lt; 0.05). Therefore, the possible proportion of replacing WBG with WBTG for TMR silage can be 10% or less of the diet DM.

Association of Lactobacillus buchneri with aerobic stability of total mixed ration containing wet brewers grains preserved as a silage

Laboratory-scale plastic silos were prepared to examine bacterial factors associated with the aerobic stability of total mixed rations (TMR) preserved as a silage after mixing. In experiment 1, TMR silages containing wet brewers grains (BG), hay (lucerne or sudangrass), maize grain, wheat bran, beet pulp and liquid molasses, were ensiled for 14 and 56 days, and bacterial communities were examined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The silages resisted aerobic deterioration for as long as 2 weeks, except that heating occurred after 5.5 days in 14-day silage prepared with sudangrass hay. The DGGE analyses indicated that, although not found in the materials, Lactobacillus buchneri and L. brevis were detectable in long-stored TMR silage. L. delbrueckii and L. fermentum were found in the materials, and appeared to survive during fermentation and after exposure to air. There were few changes in the DGGE profiles before and after heating in deteriorated silage containing sudangrass hay. In experiment 2, TMR silage with ingredients similar to those in experiment 1 was prepared, and culturable lactic acid bacteria were isolated from the plates of de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe agar. L. delbrueckii and L. fermentum were obtained from the materials but not from TMR silage. L. buchneri and L. brevis were not found in the materials, but more than one-third of the isolates were L. buchneri and L. brevis in 14- and 56-day silages, respectively. In experiment 3, whole crop maize was inoculated with L. buchneri, L. brevis, L. delbrueckii and L. fermentum isolates, and fermentation and aerobic stability were determined. No changes occurred from L. brevis, L. delbrueckii and L. fermentum inoculation, while aerobic spoilage was suppressed by L. buchneri with increases in pH and acetic acid content. Results indicate that, whilst not found in BG or the TMR mixture, L. buchneri can become detectable during fermentation, and this bacterium helps establish aerobic stability of BG-containing TMR silage.

Ensiling of Soybean Curd Residue and Wet Brewers Grains With or Without Other Feeds as a Total Mixed Ration

Wet brewers grains and soybean curd residue were stored in laboratory-scale silos without (BG and SC silages, respectively) or with other ingredients as total mixed rations (BGT and SCT silages, respectively). Silages were opened after 14 and 56 d, and microbial counts, fermentation products, and aerobic stability were determined. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was carried out to examine bacterial communities, and several bacteria that appeared to be involved in fermentation were identified. Lactic acid content was greater in SCT than in BGT silage, but lower in SC than in BG silage. Ethanol content was greater in BG than in SC regardless of silage type. Aerobic deterioration occurred promptly in ensiling materials (nonensiled by-products and total mixed ration mixtures) and in silages stored alone; however, SCT and BGT silages resisted deterioration and no heating was found for more than 5.5 d regardless of storage period. Silages were stable even with high yeast populations at silo opening, whereas prolonged ensiling decreased yeast counts in the 2 total mixed ration silages. The denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles appeared similar between SCT and BGT silages but not between SC and BG silages. Weissella spp. and Lactobacillus brevis were common in aerobically stable SCT and BGT silages, and Lactobacillus buchneri was detected only in BGT silage. Both L. brevis and L. buchneri were found in silage but not in ensiling materials. Several other lactic acid bacteria were also identified in SCT and BGT silages, but did not appear to be related to fermentation and aerobic stability.

Influence of replacing brewers' grains with green tea grounds on feed intake, digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics of wethers

ABSTRACTAn experiment was conducted to examine feed intake, apparent digestibility, nitrogen balance, ruminal fermentation and blood components of wethers fed diets containing increasing levels of wet green tea grounds (WGTG). The experimental design was a 4 × 4 Latin square with four wethers in four 15‐day periods. Wethers were allowed access to diets ad libitum, and allotted to one of four treatments in which WGTG replaced 0% (no WGTG added, CTG), 5% (low level, LBG), 10% (medium level, MTG), and 15% (high level, HTG) of total mixed ration (TMR) dry matter (DM) as wet brewers grains (WBG). All TMR silages were ensiled for 120 days and, irrespective of the WGTG addition, they were well preserved with a high lactic acid content, low pH and ammonia‐N contents. There were no differences among treatments in feed intake, with the exception of ether extract intake (P = 0.032). Digestibilities for LTG and MTG treatments were not different from CTG. However, the organic matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber and energy digestibilities for HTG treatment were lower than the CTG (P &lt; 0.05). As the level of WGTG increased, nitrogen intake did not differ, but fecal nitrogen increased (P = 0.002), while urinary nitrogen decreased (P &lt; 0.001). No differences among treatments were found in pH level and volatile fatty acids concentrations. However, the ruminal ammonia‐N of the HTG silage was lower than for the CTG silage at all times (P &lt; 0.05). Increasing concentrations of WGTG in the TMR silage decreased (P = 0.019) plasma urea nitrogen content. Therefore, the possible mixing proportion of WGTG for TMR silages can be 10% of the diet DM.

Determining the Corn Replacement Value of Wet Brewers Grain for Feedlot Heifers

Two hundred heifers (287.8 + 34.5 kg) were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments containing either 0, 15, 30, or 45% wet brewers grains (WBG) on a DM basis. The control diet consisted of 15% corn silage, 75% whole high-moisture corn, and 10% soybean meal-based supplement on a DM basis. Two full weights were averaged at the initiation of the trial and carcass-adjusted BW was used to determine the final BW. Heifers were pen-fed (5 pens per treatment, 10 head per pen) for 160 d. Adjusted final BW, and G:F were not significantly different among dietary treatments. Dry matter intake, ADG, and final BW were quadratic (P < 0.02), where 15 and 30% WBG heifers consumed more feed, grew faster, and had heavier final BW than 0 and 45% WBG heifers. Additionally, heifers receiving any level of WBG tended (P = 0.08) to have greater gains than control heifers. At harvest, carcass marbling tended (P = 0.08) to be less for heifers fed WBG than control heifers. Carcass LM area tended (P = 0.08) to decrease linearly as the level ofWBG increased in the diet. The percentage of KPH fat increased linearly (P < 0.03) as WBG increased in the diet. These data indicate that feeding 15 to 45% WBG in feedlot diets supports performance and carcass characteristics similar to cattle fed a typical high-moisture corn finishing diet.

Seasonal Prevalence and Transmission of Salivary Gland Hypertrophy Virus of House Flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

A survey (2005–2006) of house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) populations on four Florida dairy farms demonstrated the presence of flies with acute symptoms of infection with salivary gland hypertrophy (SGH) virus on all farms. Disease incidence varied among farms (farm averages, 0.5–10.1%) throughout the year, and it showed a strong positive correlation with fly density. Infections were most common among flies that were collected in a feed barn on one of the farms, especially among flies feeding on wet brewers grains (maximum 34% SGH). No infections were observed among adult flies reared from larvae collected on the farms, nor among adults reared from larvae that had fed on macerated salivary glands from infected flies. Infected female flies produced either no or small numbers of progeny, none of which displayed SGH when they emerged as adults. Healthy flies became infected after they fed on solid food (a mixture of powdered milk, egg, and sugar) that had been contaminated by infected flies (42%) or after they were held in cages that had previously housed infected flies (38.6%). Healthy flies also became infected after they fed on samples of brewers grains (6.8%) or calf feed (2%) that were collected from areas of high fly visitation on the farms. Infection rates of field-collected flies increased from 6 to 40% when they fed exclusively on air-dried cloth strips soaked in a suspension of powdered egg and whole milk. Rates of virus deposition by infected flies on food were estimated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction at ≈100 million virus copies per fly per hour. Electron microscopy revealed the presence on enveloped virus particles in the lumen of salivary glands and on the external mouthparts of infected flies.