Wet Distillers Research Articles

Nutritional quality of wet distillers’ grains co–ensiled with whole–plant maize and its feeding value for lambs

The high moisture content of wet distillers’ grains with solubles (WDGS) has limited its feeding value despite the relatively high nutritive value. The co–ensiling with whole–plant maize, as a complementary feed, was evaluated for growing lambs by formulating diets whose contents were: whole plant maize silage (WPMS) + sunflower oilcake meal (SOM) (control, WPMS + SOM), whole plant maize silage + dried distillers’ grains (WPMS + DDGS), and whole–plant maize (WPM) co–ensiled with WDGS (WPM – WDGS). Rumen fermentation parameters and in situ degradability of the diets were evaluated using three cannulated Merino wethers in a cross over 3 × 3 Latin square design experiment that lasted 39 days. Concurrently, feed intake and growth performance of South Africa Mutton Merino lambs (29.7 ± 3.6 kg) were evaluated over 45 days. The WPMS + DDGS diet had a lower rate of dry matter degradation (p < 0.05) compared to the WPMS + SOM and WPM–WDGS diets. However, the rapidly fermentable fraction, as well as the progressively fermentable fraction of the diet dry matter, was not different (p > 0.05). No differences in rumen volatile fatty acid, ammonia nitrogen concentration nor rumen pH of the wethers as a result of diet differences were observed. Lambs consuming the WDGS–based diet had a lower average daily intake and average daily gain (p < 0.05) compared to lambs consuming the DDGS and WPMS–based diets. However, the feed conversion ratio was not affected by diet differences (p > 0.05). In conclusion, co–ensiling WDGS with whole–plant maize provides the opportunity for the long–term storage and utilization of WDGS in lamb feeding.

Status of Serum Mineral and Biochemical Parameters in Cross bred Cows fed Different Levels of Wet Distillers Grains with Solubles (WDGS)

Status of Serum Mineral and Biochemical Parameters in Cross bred Cows fed Different Levels of Wet Distillers Grains with Solubles (WDGS)

Effects of wet distillers bran plus solubles and corn oil in diets containing flint corn grain and citrus pulp for finishing Nellore bulls

Objectives were to evaluate the effects of de-oiled wet distillers bran plus solubles (WDBS) as a protein source [when included at 150 g/kg of diet dry matter (DM)] to replace soybean meal (SBM); or as a protein and energy source (when included at 300 and 450 g/kg of diet DM) to replace a mix of soybean meal, ground flint corn, and citrus pulp, and to evaluate the effects of corn oil inclusion (0vs 30 g/kg of diet DM) in diets containing 0 to 450 g/kg of WDBS (DM basis). Two hundred and thirty-two Nellore bulls (BW = 425 ± 25 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments consisting of diets supplemented or not with 30 g/kg of corn oil (DM basis) each one combined with 4 inclusions of WDBS (0, 150, 300, and 450 g/kg; DM basis). Bulls were blocked by initial shrunk BW and allocated into 40 pens (5 pens/treatment; 5 or 6 bulls/pen). Effects of corn oil × WDBS interaction were not detected (P ≥ 0.29) for feedlot growth performance, carcass traits, and dietary NE concentrations, except for dry matter intake (DMI; P = 0.03). Increasing inclusion of WDBS linearly decreased DMI (P = 0.004) of finishing bulls fed diets without corn oil supplementation, but quadratically decreased DMI (P = 0.002) in diets containing 30 g/kg of corn oil, resulting in the observed interaction (P = 0.03). Feeding WDBS did not affect average daily gain (ADG), hot carcass weight (HCW), and dressing percentage of finishing bulls regardless of corn oil supplementation (P ≥ 0.18). Feed efficiency (G:F) tended (linear; P = 0.09) to increase due to WDBS inclusion. The inclusion of 30 g/kg corn oil (DM basis) in the diet tended (P = 0.07) to decrease DMI by 3% and increase G:F by 7.5% compared with diets not supplemented with corn oil. Including 30 g/kg of corn oil (DM basis) in the diet increased (P = 0.05) observed net energy of maintenance (NEm) and net energy of gain (NEg). Corn oil supplementation had no effect (P ≥ 0.19) on final BW, ADG, HCW, and dressing percentage. In summary, WDBS is as a protein supplement alternative to SBM when fed at 150 g/kg of the diet DM. The supplementation with corn oil is an effective way to increase the energy density of finishing diets containing WDBS.

PSII-5 Effect of progressive limit feeding in feedlot steers: A pilot study

Abstract The objective was to analyze the effect of progressive limit feeding on growth and performance during the finishing phase in feedlot steers. Thirty-nine steers (BW = 469 ± 31 kg) were divided into three blocks by weight. In each block, five steers were randomly assigned to a pen to be progressively limit fed (PLF), while the remaining eight steers were fed a common finishing diet ad libitum in a control (CON) pen. Progressive limit feeding refers to maintaining a previously growing animal at constant size by reducing the amount of feed offered by 3.29% daily for 14 consecutive days. Thus, on d 14, PLF steers were consuming 63% of original dry matter intake (DMI). All steers were fed ad libitum from d 15 until slaughter (d 106). Steers were fed a finishing diet, consisting primarily of dry-rolled corn, corn silage, and modified wet distillers grains. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. Final BW was not affected (P = 0.82) by treatment; PLF and CON steers were 665 and 669 kg, respectively. Treatment did not affect overall ADG (P = 0.73); however, treatment did affect (P = 0.01) d 15–83 ADG as PLF steers gained 2.28 kg/d compared with 1.90 kg/d for CON steers. Overall DMI of PLF steers was 9% less (P = 0.02) than for CON steers (9.9 and 10.9 kg/d, respectively). Treatment did not affect (P = 0.10) DMI from d 15–106. Overall gain:feed (0.183 and 0.173 for PLF and CON steers, respectively) was not affected (P = 0.46) by treatment. Carcass characteristics were not affected (P ≥ 0.24) by treatment. A similar overall growth performance and reduced DMI for PLF steers suggests that progressive limit feeding may be a cost-effective approach to finishing feedlot steers.

Nutrition upgrading of corn-ethanol co-product by fungal fermentation: Amino acids enrichment and anti-nutritional factors degradation

Corn wet distiller’s grain with solubles (WDGS) used as a feeding ingredient to monogastric animal diets is limited due to its imbalanced key amino acids, high fiber and potential existance of mycotoxins. Fermentation of WDGS by edible fungi has potential of upgrading the feedstock into nutritional and low-risk feeding ingredient for monogastric animals. In this study, four different fungi Aspergillus oryzae, Rhizopus oryzae, Mucor indicus and Trichoderma reesei were employed to ferment the mixture of WDGS and soybean hull at 75/25 ratio at 28°C for 6–9 days. Urea at different concentration was supplied as additional nitrogen source. Results showed that, M. indicus improved total amino acids yield by 13.3% with over 95% consumption of the supplied urea at 1% N. Meanwhile, T. reesei degraded structural polysaccharides by 41% and concentrated amino acids by 19%. In addition, phytate was degraded by 53, 56, 31 and 20% with A. oryzae, R. oryzae, M. indicus, and T. reesei, respectively. Total aflatoxin and deoxynivalenol was detoxified via T. reesei by 52.8% and 92.9%, respectively, while zaeralenone was detoxified via M. indicus by 89.2%. This study demonstrated a feasible way of producing nutritional-improved monogastric feeding ingredient from corn-ethanol plant.

Digestion characteristics and prediction of digestible energy and total digestible nutrients in beef cattle finishing diets containing traditional and by-product lipid sources

Our objective was to determine effects of supplemental fat sources on digestion and energy predictions in feedlot diets containing several lipid sources. Five ruminally fistulated steers (520 ± 41 kg of BW) were fed in a 5-period Latin square design. Dietary treatments included control (CORN) or 4 finishing diets containing (1) 4.8% added corn oil (OIL), (2) 4.8% beef tallow (TAL), (3) 25.5% corn condensed distillers solubles (CCDS), or (4) 56% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS). Total-tract OM digestibility was multiplied by dietary OM content to determine digested OM (DIGOM; % of DM). Measured dietary DE (Mcal/kg) was converted to TDN using 4.4 Mcal of DE/kg of TDN. The unsaturated-to-saturated total fatty acid ratio of omasal samples of steers fed WDGS was greater than that for other treatments ( P = 0.01). Apparent total-tract diet NDF digestibility was least for steers fed OIL ( P < 0.04). The difference between TDN (% of DM) and DIGOM (% of DM) increased ( P < 0.01) as dietary GE increased across treatments. These results suggest DIGOM (% of DM) does not relate to TDN (% of DM) on a consistent basis when high-fat by-products are used and that measured DE (Mcal/kg) is needed to predict performance. In finishing diets containing WDGS, additional DE is not accounted for when evaluating only DIGOM. Measuring DE content of diets used in digestion trials is important when trying to estimate feeding values.

Stable fly activity is associated with dairy management practices and seasonal weather conditions.

Stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) are blood-sucking insects commonly associated with cattle production systems worldwide and are known to cause severe irritation to cattle due to painful bites. Cattle react to biting stable flies with an aggregating behavior known as bunching. Bunching behavior reduces grazing or feed consumption and thus reduces cattle productivity and welfare. Cattle’s fly-repelling behaviors include foot stomping, head tossing, tail switching and skin twitching. A longitudinal study was conducted in 2017 on 20 California dairies (average lactating herd size = 2,466 (SE±28.392)) during the stable fly season from April to July. The study objectives were to estimate the association between environmental factors and dairy characteristics including facility design, feed and manure management, total mixed ration (TMR) components fed to cattle, and operational pest management procedures and the outcome stable fly activity on California dairies. Stable fly activity was measured by counting stable flies on cow forelimbs (leg count) and on Alsynite traps (trap count) over the 13-week study period. Weekly leg counts were performed for cattle in lactating cow pens (31 pens from 10 study dairies) with counts made during the morning (AM) and again during the afternoon (PM). Trap counts were performed on all 20 study dairies. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models which revealed temporal variation in the average leg and trap counts with stable fly activity increasing from May to June and then decreasing to the lowest activity in July. Leg counts were higher during the afternoon compared to morning. Ambient temperatures ≤30⁰C and relative humidity (RH) measurements <50% were associated with higher leg and trap counts. Traps located at the periphery of study dairies had higher stable fly counts compared to traps located in the interior of the dairy. Cow pens with trees on the periphery had higher leg counts in comparison to pens away from trees. Specific TMR components were associated with both leg and trap counts. Dairies feeding by-products including almond hulls, wet distillers’ grain, fruits, and vegetables had higher trap counts compared to dairies that did not feed these ingredients. At the pen level, pens with rations that contained straw had lower average leg counts compared to pens fed with rations that did not contain straw. A similar association was observed for pens with rations that contained wheat silage when ambient temperatures were ≤30⁰C. In contrast, pens with water added to the TMR while the RH was ≥50% had higher average leg counts compared to pens without water added to the TMR. Dairies that applied insecticides for fly control to their entire facility had lower trap counts compared to dairies that did not apply insecticides. Stable fly activity measured on California dairies using leg and trap counts varied according to the month, environmental factors, pen surroundings, trap location, TMR components, and insecticide use.

Effects of replacing wet distillers grains with supplemental SoyPass in forage-based growing cattle diets.

One hundred twenty individually fed steers (initial BW 283 kg ± 32) were utilized in an 84-d growing trial to evaluate the effects of increased metabolizable lysine from non-enzymatically browned soybean meal (SoyPass) in grass hay-based diets containing wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS). The treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial with two levels of protein supplement as 20% (low; DL20) or 35% (high; DL35) of dietary DM using WDGS as the basal protein source, and three increments of SoyPass (SP) replacing 0%, 30%, or 60% of the WDGS DM in the protein supplement yielding six dietary treatments. Average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), gain:feed (G:F), and plasma urea N (PUN) data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS as a 2 × 3 factorial. Animal was the experimental unit and fixed effects included body weight block, dietary inclusion of distillers grains (DL20, DL35), dietary inclusion of SoyPass (SP) (3 levels), and DL × SP inclusion interactions. Linear and quadratic interactions between DL and SP inclusion were analyzed using covariate regression. No interactions were detected for ADG between SP and DL (P = 0.76). Additionally, SP had no effect on ADG (P = 0.49). However, ADG was increased for steers consuming the DL35 diet compared to DL20 (1.13 vs. 0.86 kg/d, respectively; P < 0.01). A DL × SP interaction was detected for DMI (P = 0.01). As SP replaced WDGS in the DL35 diet, DMI increased linearly from 8.10 to 8.93 kg/d (P = 0.02). In the DL20 diet, DMI was not different as SP replaced WDGS (P ≥ 0.11). Therefore, G:F tended to decrease linearly (P = 0.06) as SP replaced WDGS in the DL35 diet, while no difference (P ≥ 0.11) was detected in the DL20 diet, suggesting SP contained less energy than WDGS but did improve dietary lysine balance. Furthermore, plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) increased linearly as SP replaced WDGS in the DL20 diet (P < 0.01) but was not affected by SP substitution in the DL35 diet (P ≥ 0.19). When WDGS is fed at a low (20% DM) or high (35% DM) inclusion rate in a forage-based diet, replacing the distillers with a source of protected amino acids supplied through heat-treated soybean meal, did not improve performance. A more concentrated or energy-dense form of amino acids may be beneficial in forage-based growing cattle diets containing 20% distillers grains but is not needed in diets with 35% distillers grains.

Effects of FeCl3 Catalytic Hydrothermal Carbonization on Chemical Activation of Corn Wet Distillers' Fiber.

Corn wet distillers’ fiber (corn fiber) is a byproduct of the corn-ethanol production process, with high potential as a precursor for activated carbon due to its moderate nitrogen content and availability. However, there has been limited investigation into activated carbons from the corn fiber. In this work, we produce activated carbons from the corn fiber using three procedures, including direct KOH activation, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) followed by KOH activation, and FeCl3-catalyzed HTC followed by KOH activation. Catalytic HTC with FeCl3 was found to slightly increase the degree of carbonization relative to uncatalyzed HTC while also removing the nitrogen content at increasing concentrations and slightly increasing the porosity. The resulting activated carbon samples are then characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and nitrogen analysis. The two-step process resulted in activated carbon with substantially higher surface areas than the one-step process (1220 vs 789 m2/g), as well as much higher thermal stability and nitrogen content (up to 1.20%). The results show that the corn fiber has potential for activated carbon production, with the two-step HTC followed by the activation process producing more favorable material properties than direct activation.

Enhanced protein and amino acids of corn-ethanol co-product by Mucor indicus and Rhizopus oryzae.

Upcycle of co-products from corn-ethanol plant into protein-rich animal feed with balanced key amino acids via solid-state fermentation is a promising approach to economically support both biofuel and animal feed industries. However, there are multiple types of solid-state fermentation microorganisms and growth conditions that have not been tested. In this study, Mucor indicus and Rhizopus oryzae were used to ferment corn-based wet distiller's grains with solubles (WDGS). The effects of fermentation conditions (temperature, agitation, and moisture) and supplementations (extraneous carbon and nitrogen sources) were evaluated on protein production and amino acids profiles before and after fermentation. The study established best fermentation conditions (23°C, static incubation for 4days at 70% initial moisture content) to improve protein content for both R. oryzae and M. indicus. Moreover, urea supplied to R. oryzae and M. indicus improved protein concentration by 35 and 38%, and total amino acids content by 28 and 18%, respectively. The amount of 693.1 and 451.8mg of additional total amino acids including 262.8 and 227.7mg of key amino acids (lysine, methionine, tryptophan, and arginine) was synthesized by R. oryzae and M. indicus, respectively, per supply of 536mg urea in 25g of WDGS. This study demonstrated the feasibility of urea as a low-cost nitrogen source for amino acid biosynthesis in fungal fermentation of WDGS, which could contribute to the increasing demand for high-value monogastric animal feed.

234 Effects of Housing Cow-calf Pairs on Drylots vs Pasture on Calf Performance and Behavior During the Receiving Phase

Abstract The objectives were to analyze the effects of housing cow-calf pairs in drylots or pasture on calf performance and behavior through the receiving phase. Simmental × Angus (2 yr; 108/yr; 81 ± 15.3 d postpartum) spring-calving cows were stratified by age, BW, BCS, and calf sex and allotted to six groups/yr. Groups were randomly allotted to 1 of 2 treatments: drylot (DL) or pasture (PAST). After weaning, calves were shipped 262 km to a feedlot for a 42 d receiving period. All calves were fed a diet consisting of corn silage, wet distillers grains, corn, and grass hay during the receiving phase. Behavior was evaluated on d 1 and d 2 after arrival. Calf BW was measured on d 0, 21, and 42. Average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), and feed efficiency were also determined. The data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. On day 1, there was a treatment by time interaction for lying (P = 0.04). At h 2, 4, and 11 more PAST calves were lying. There was a tendency (P = 0.08) for PAST calves to spend more time eating. More DL calves vocalized (P = 0.03). On day 2, there were treatment by time interactions (P ≤ 0.02) for lying and walking. More PAST calves were lying at h 1, 2, 8, 9, and 12. More DL calves were walking at h 2, 11, and 12. Pasture calves had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) ADG and G:F than DL calves. However, the DL calves had greater (P ≤ 0.02) BW at d 0, 21, and 42. In conclusion, calf behavior at receiving was influenced by preweaning housing. Additionally, pasture calves had improved receiving phase ADG and feed efficiency but were still lighter than drylot calves after 42 d receiving phase.

75 Management of the Young Calf When Dams Are Limit-fed in Confinement

Abstract Limit-feeding cows in confinement can lower feed costs; however, calves have limited time to access feed. This study was designed to evaluate management options to economically improve calf performance. Calves (n = 54) were stratified by age (105 ± 16 DOA) and assigned randomly to one of nine groups, then each group assigned randomly to one of three treatments: 1) kept with dam with access to cow diet only (PAIRS) 2) early-weaned (EW) or 3) kept with dam with access to creep (CREEP). The cow diet was 54% wet distillers grains (WDGS), 37% straw, and 8% corn. This diet was fed to meet dry cow requirements (7.7 kg DM/d) for EW, lactation requirements (10.9 kg DM/d) in CREEP, and lactation requirements plus allow for some calf intake (14.8 kg DM/d) in PAIRS. The calf diet consisted of 51% alfalfa hay, 25% WDGS, and 22% corn. Calves in the EW had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) intake (5.0 kg DM/d) than CREEP (4.1 kg DM/d) from 105 to 203 DOA. Calf ADG differed (P &amp;lt; 0.01) among treatments from 105 to 203 DOA, with CREEP (1.29 kg/d) being greater (P = 0.02) than EW (1.01 kg/d) and both being greater (P ≤ 0.02) than PAIRS (0.74 kg/d). At ~203 DOA, PAIRS and CREEP were weaned and all calves were fed a growing diet. Calf intakes during the growing phase (223 to 314 DOA) did not differ (P = 0.39). However, calf ADG tended (P &amp;lt; 0.06) to differ. The ADG of PAIRS (1.13 kg/d) and EW (1.10 kg/d) did not differ (P = 0.67) but were greater (P ≤ 0.05) than CREEP (0.92 kg/d). However, when calf value and total feed costs were considered, creep resulted in the most return over feed costs at weaning as well as at the end of growing.

Hydrothermal carbonization valorization as an alternative application for corn bio-ethanol by-products

Corn Wet Distillers' Fibre (Corn Fibre) and Corn Condensed Distillers' Solubles (CDS) are by-products of the corn-ethanol production process with limited investigation of their valorization potential available in the literature. In this work, we perform hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) on Corn Fibre and CDS at reaction temperatures ranging from 180 °C to 300 °C. The solid products were characterized by ultimate and proximate analysis, HHV, TGA, FT-IR, Py-GC-MS, and SEM. The liquid process water composition was characterized by GC-MS analysis, and the total organic carbon (TOC) was determined. The produced hydrochar had a higher heating value of up to 33.91 MJ/kg, and nitrogen content as high as 3.91% Nitrogen at 77.35% Carbon. The hydrochar had a much higher ratio of hydrogen to oxygen content than most hydrochars from biomass investigated in the literature. The process water for CDS had a high quantity of hydrocarbons and high liquid carbon yield, whereas the process water from Corn Fibre contains large quantities of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). These findings indicate that HTC of Corn Fibre and CDS may be a promising alternative pathway for producing valuable chemicals or high-quality hydrochar for fuel or higher value applications which can utilize nitrogen content, such as activated carbons.

Evaluation of whole corn substitution in diets based on steam-flaked corn containing different concentrations of wet distillers grains with solubles for beef cattle

Our objective was to determine effects of substituting steam-flaked corn (SFC) with whole shelled corn (WSC) in finishing diets containing wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) on cattle performance, carcass characteristics, digestion, and rumen microbial ecology. The study used 642 Angus-cross heifers (411.7 ± 18.0 kg of initial BW) assigned to 36 pens. Treatments (2 × 3 factorial) were 6 SFC-based finishing diets with 0 or 20% WSC and 0, 15, or 30% WDGS (DM basis). Ruminal fluid was collected to evaluate ruminal characteristics, and feces and manure were collected to determine nutrient digestion and losses. Heifers fed 20% WSC diets had greater ( P < 0.01) DMI, but ADG and G:F were not affected ( P ≥ 0.11) by WSC concentration. The percentage of carcasses grading USDA Choice tended to be lower ( P = 0.07) for cattle fed diets with 20 versus 0% WSC. Increasing dietary WDGS decreased G:F ( P < 0.01) and tended to decrease ADG ( P = 0.10), increased DMI ( P = 0.08), and decreased hot carcass weight ( P = 0.09). Dietary WSC affected ruminal pH ( P < 0.01) and VFA molar concentrations ( P = 0.05). Ruminal acetate:propionate decreased (quadratic, P < 0.03) with increasing WDGS. Bacterial diversity was not affected by WSC ( P = 0.63) but increased with increasing WDGS ( P = 0.01). Substituting SFC with 20% WSC in cattle finishing diets did not affect animal performance but decreased carcass quality. In contrast, increasing dietary WDGS decreased animal performance but did not affect carcass characteristics.

Effects of ractopamine hydrochloride on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen excretion of finishing beef cattle.

The objective was to quantify the effects of the beta-adrenergic agonist (β-AA) ractopamine hydrochloride (Actogain, Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ) on nitrogen excretion and nutrient digestibility in feedlot cattle. In experiment 1, 12 Simmental × Angus steers were blocked by bodyweight (531 ± 16 kg) and used in a randomized complete block design. Dietary treatments included: 1) a control without β-AA (CON) or 2) 400 mg/steer/d ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) for 35 d before slaughter. Diets contained (DM basis) 55% dry-rolled corn, 20% corn silage, 15% modified wet distillers grains with soluble, and 10% supplement. For each block, total collection of feed, orts, feces, and urine were conducted for two 5 d sampling periods during week 2 and 4 of RAC supplementation. No interaction (P > 0.21) between treatment and collection period was observed for any parameter evaluated. Dietary treatment had no effect (P = 0.51) on DMI, but RAC had decreased fecal DM output (P = 0.04) compared with CON. Thus, RAC had greater apparent total tract DM digestibility (77.2 vs. 73.5%; P < 0.01), N digestibility (72.4 vs. 69.4%; P = 0.01), and NDF digestibility (65.6 vs. 60.2%; P < 0.01) than CON. Although treatment did not affect nitrogen intake (P = 0.52), RAC tended to reduce total nitrogen excretion (113.3 vs. 126.7 g/d; P = 0.10) compared with CON due to a tendency for decreased fecal nitrogen output (53.9 vs. 61.3 g/d; P = 0.10). However, dietary treatment had no effect (P = 0.53) on urinary nitrogen output or percentage of urinary nitrogen excreted as urea (P = 0.28). Experiment 2 was an in vitro experiment conducted to validate the effects of RAC on nutrient digestibility using Simmental × Angus heifers (451 ± 50 kg). Rumen fluid was collected individually by stomach tube from CON- (n = 9) and RAC-fed (n = 10) heifers to inoculate bottles containing a CON or RAC-containing substrate in a split–plot design. No interaction between rumen fluid source and in vitro substrate was observed. Greater IVDMD (P = 0.01) was observed in rumen fluid from RAC-fed heifers compared with rumen fluid from CON-fed heifers. The inclusion of RAC in the in vitro substrate increased IVDMD (P < 0.01). Overall, feeding RAC increased microbial digestion of the dry-rolled corn-based finishing diet to increase total tract dry mater digestion by 5% and reduce nitrogen excretion by 10.6% in the 35 d period prior to slaughter.

Increasing levels of de-oiled wet distillers grains in feedlot diets on nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation and microbiology

The supply of wet distillers grains (WDG) has been growing in Brazil, with the increase in corn ethanol production. However, little is known about de-oiled corn WDG on nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation and microbiology of beef cattle. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the increasing levels of de-oiled WDG replacing soybean meal and corn on dry matter (DM) intake, total tract digestibility, ruminal short chain fatty acids and microbiology. Eight ruminally cannulated Nellore bulls (BW = 453 ± 32 kg) were allocated on individual pens and distributed in 4 treatments with 0, 150, 300 and 450 g de-oiled WDG/kg DM in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design. The experimental period lasted 112 days, divided into 4 periods of 28 days (14 days of adaptation plus 14 days of sampling). The DM, organic matter and ether extract intake increased quadratically (P < 0.05), and were greater in animals fed 300 g/kg WDG. Intake and digestibility of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber increased, however, intake and digestibility of non-fiber carbohydrates decreased linearly (P< 0.05) with increasing levels of de-oiled WDG.Gross energy (GE) and digestible energy (DE) intake were quadratically affected by the treatments, whereby animals fed 300 g/kg WDG in the diet showed greater (P < 0.05) GE and DE intake. Moreover, propionate and butyrate concentration increased linearly (P< 0.05) in animals fed de-oiled WDG, which could be associated to greater (P< 0.10) relative abundance of Selonomonas ruminantium, resulting in higher ruminal pH in these animals. Therefore, the inclusion of de-oiled WDG might be used as replacement of soybean meal and ground corn in high concentrate diets of Nellore cattle without compromising ruminal fermentation and nutrient digestibility.

Effect of Feeding Wet Distillers Grains with Solubles (WDGS) on Milk Yield and Composition in Crossbred Cows

Effect of Feeding Wet Distillers Grains with Solubles (WDGS) on Milk Yield and Composition in Crossbred Cows

Effects of physical preparation of diets and inclusion rate of modified wet distillers grains with solubles on production and rumen measurements of lactating dairy cows

Our objective was to determine if methods for preparing total mixed ration [TMR; horizontal paddle mixer with knives (PK) vs. vertical auger (VA) mixer] would alter the physical form of the TMR and affect utilization of diets with increasing amounts of modified wet distillers grains with solubles (MWDGS). Holstein cows (n = 24 with 12 ruminally cannulated; 144 d in milk ± 31 d at start) were used in a split-plot design with mixer type as the whole plot and MWDGS concentrations as subplots in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square arrangement with 35-d periods. Inclusion rates of MWDGS were 10, 20, and 30% of dietary dry matter, primarily replacing corn, soybean meal, soyhulls, and whole cottonseed. Feed dry matter intake (DMI) was less for PK (23.8 kg/d) than for VA (25.7 kg/d), but was unaffected by MWDGS concentration. Milk production did not differ by concentration of MWDGS or by interaction of MWDGS × mixer. Milk fat percentage declined with increasing MWDGS but the interaction between mixer and MWDGS showed that decreases were larger with VA mixing. Cows fed the diet containing 30% MWDGS mixed with PK averaged 3.45% (1.24 kg/d) milk fat, whereas cows fed the same diet mixed with VA averaged 2.81% (1.10 kg/d) fat. Concentrations of trans-10,cis-12 C18:2 in milk fat likely explain the differences observed in milk fat yield; the concentration of trans-10,cis-12 C18:2 increased as MWDGS was increased and the MWDGS × mixer interaction showed that VA had greater concentrations. Greater mean particle size and increased variation in particle size with VA may partially explain differences in milk fat via increased sorting that allowed for an altered rumen environment and favored alternative biohydrogenation pathways. Feed conversion efficiency (FCE; energy-corrected milk/DMI) decreased linearly as MWDGS increased, but FCE tended to be maintained when higher MWDGS diets were mixed using PK rather than VA. Ruminal pH and ammonia concentration decreased linearly as MWDGS increased. The PK mixer resulted in greater FCE when higher amounts of MWDGS were fed, primarily because milk fat content and yield were not as depressed and DMI was lower at similar milk yields.

Effects of the degree of steam flaking and dietary concentration of wet distillers grains on growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle

The objective was to determine the effects of degree of steam flaking of corn (SFC) on performance of finishing cattle fed diets containing wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS). Crossbred steers (n = 214: initial BW = 357 ± 26.0 kg) and heifers (n = 121: initial BW = 323 ± 30.9 kg) were randomly assigned to 54 pens and 6 diets containing 0, 15, or 30% WDGS and corn steam flaked to either 321 or 270 g/L bulk density (25 or 21 lb/bu, respectively) in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. There were no interactions between WDGS concentration and SFC bulk density for growth performance ( P > 0.48), and growth performance was not influenced by the degree of steam flaking of corn ( P > 0.29). Dry matter intake ( P < 0.15) and ADG ( P < 0.06) tended to respond quadratically to dietary WDGS. Gain efficiency tended ( P = 0.15) to decrease linearly as dietary WDGS concentration increased. Carcass characteristics were not affected by SFC density but hot carcass weight ( P < 0.12), DP ( P < 0.01), and YG ( P < 0.14) were affected by WDGS concentration. Decreasing bulk density of SFC tended ( P < 0.11) to increase the frequency of liver abscesses. Results suggest optimal performance is achieved in SFC-based finishing diets when WDGS is fed at 15% of DM and that increasing the degree of steam flaking of corn to less than 321 g/L does not improve cattle performance in diets containing WDGS.

229 Evaluation of Wheat Blended with Corn in Finishing Diets Containing Wet Distillers Grains

Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of grain type and wet distillers grains inclusion on finishing cattle performance and carcass characteristics. Yearling steers (n = 320; initial BW = 325 ± 23 kg) were utilized in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, with the first factor as grain type at either 100% dry-rolled corn or a 50:50 blend of dry-rolled wheat and dry-rolled corn, and the second factor as wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) inclusion at 12 or 30% of diet DM. There were no interactions between grain type and WDGS inclusion levels (P ≥ 0.21), contrary to our hypothesis that 50:50 wheat blend would improve performance with increased WDGS. There were no differences in DMI, ADG, or G:F (P ≥ 0.29) between 100% DRC or 50:50 blend of DRC and wheat. There was no difference in HCW between grain types (P = 0.84), but LM area was greater (P = 0.02) for steers fed a 50:50 blend of DRC and wheat. There were no differences in 12th rib fat or USDA marbling score between grain types (P ≥ 0.15), but increased LM area in steers fed the blended diet led to improved calculated yield grade (P = 0.04). Increasing WDGS in the diet increased carcass-adjusted final BW (P = 0.03) and improved carcass-adjusted ADG and G:F by 3.8% (P ≤ 0.05). Feeding 30% WDGS increased HCW by 10.9 kg (P = 0.03) and increased 12th rib fat (P = 0.02) compared to feeding 12% WDGS. There were no differences in LM area, USDA marbling score, or calculated YG between WDGS inclusions. These data suggest that increasing WDGS in the diet improves performance regardless of grain type and depending on price, wheat can replace up to 50% of the grain portion of the diet without affecting performance.