Wet Distillers Research Articles

Effects of black soldier fly larvae on biotransformation and residues of spent mushroom substrate and wet distiller’s grains

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) could convert a variety of organic wastes, including spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and wet distiller’s grains (WDG). Nevertheless, little is known about the conversion of these wastes by BSFL. Thus, this study investigates the conversion of SMS and WDG in five different proportions by BSFL. This study demonstrates that BSFL can convert SMS, WDG, and their mixtures. It can also encourage the humification of the substrate, increasing the amount of element in the residues. It is evident that there were differences in the carbon and nitrogen element fractionation mode as well as the microbial community present in the residue. The microbial community of the substrate and the physiochemical parameters are intimately related to this. Although the mixture treated with BSFL helps to generate a residue with more humus, it might not be stable.

Artificial humic acid produced from wet distillers grains in a microwave-assisted hydrothermal process: Physicochemical characteristics and stimulation to plant growth

Wet distillers grains, as a waste biomass with a large annual output, pose a threat to the environment and food industry. Herein, artificial humic acid (AHA) was first produced from wet distillers grains in a dual-stage microwave-assisted hydrothermal process. The influence of temperature on AHA's characteristics was investigated and compared with natural humic acid (NHA) and standard humic acid (SHA). A high yield of AHA at 20.6% was obtained at 200 °C with a total reaction time of 1 h, which is 1.8–3.1 times that obtained in traditional single-stage hydrothermal process. Increasing the reaction temperature induced the formation of phenolic hydroxyl in AHA. AHA was rich in aromaticity and carboxylic acid structure, showing similar spectral characteristics to NHA. The distribution of molecular weight of AHA was mostly 5797 Da, which decreased by 15% compared to SHA. The optimal concentration of AHA to promote seedling growth was 0.2 g/L, and the root length was 2.0 times that of the control. The microwave hydrothermal process is a facile and efficient approach to preparing AHA from waste biomass with high moisture content.

Effects of the degree of steam flaking of corn and concentration of dietary wet distillers grains on energy metabolism of feedlot cattle*

Effects of the degree of steam flaking of corn and concentration of dietary wet distillers grains on energy metabolism of feedlot cattle*

165 Comparing corn earlage to a blend of corn silage and grain when fed at two different inclusions for finishing cattle

Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding earlage as the sole source of roughage and grain in a finishing diet when compared with corn silage plus grain at equal forage NDF inclusions in the diet. Crossbred yearling steers [n = 216; initial body weight (BW) = 471 ± 14.1kg] were fed one of 4 experimental diets in a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement with roughage type and forage inclusion being the 2 factors. Treatment diets were formulated for earlage to provide all the grain the diet (74%) which provided 14.8% forage and was compared with 29.6% corn silage and 44.4% corn as a 50:50 blend of dry rolled corn (DRC) and high moisture corn (HMC). The other two diets were formulated for corn silage to provide a standard roughage inclusion for finishing diets (i.e., corn silage at 15% to supply 7.5% forage in the diet). To match 7.5% roughage with earlage providing all the roughage, another diet included earlage at 37%, with an additional 37% corn included as the 50:50 blend of HMC and DRC. All diets included 20% wet distiller’s grains (WDGS) and 6% supplement. The two inclusions of forage were either 7.5 or 14.8% forage as either earlage or corn silage. Earlage was assumed to provide 20% forage and corn silage to provide 50% forage, on a DM basis. Cattle were stratified into 3 BW blocks, then assigned randomly assigned to pens within block, and treatment assigned randomly to pens. A total of 24 pens containing 9 steers in each were used with pen as the experimental unit. Feeding performance, carcass characteristics and liver abscess prevalence were evaluated using the MIXED procedure of SAS with BW block and treatment being fixed effects. No interactions between roughage type or forage inclusion were observed for performance or carcass traits (P > 0.13) except for marbling or liver abscesses (P < 0.09). When cattle were fed a diet with corn silage as the roughage source, greater dry matter intakes (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG) were observed (P ≤ 0.01), but feed efficiency was not significantly different (P = 0.35). However, when evaluating effects of NDF inclusion, cattle fed 7.5% forage in the diet were 6.8% more efficient than cattle fed 14.8% forage and tended to have greater gain (P = 0.10), but no significant differences were observed for intake (P = 0.11). These data suggest that cattle fed earlage will eat and gain less than cattle fed a blend of corn silage and grain when estimated forage is equivalent, and when earlage is fed as the sole source of grain, cattle will be less efficient than when conventional roughage inclusions are fed.

164 Impact of varying dietary inclusion of modified distiller’s grains plus solubles weekly compared with constant inclusion on feedlot cattle performance and carcass characteristics

Abstract The use of distiller’s grains in feedlot diets was abundant due to supply and price, but the availability to feedlots and greater prices of distiller’s grains has led to reduced inclusion and more variation in supply, and thus, inclusion within the feeding period for cattle. The hypothesis was that varying inclusion of modified wet distiller’s grains plus solubles (MDGS) in the diet would negatively impact cattle performance due to changing dietary starch concentration and risk of acidosis. One solution to help with ruminal acidosis concerns with variable MDGS inclusion would be increasing roughage inclusion. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate if varying the inclusion of MDGS at normal and 2X normal roughage inclusion influences performance of finishing cattle. In this study, crossbred steers (n = 576) with an initial body weight (BW) = 379 kg (SD= 11 kg) were evaluated for performance and carcass traits over the 143 d on study. Two inclusions of grass hay (6% and 12%) and three treatments related to MDGS (no inclusion, constant inclusion at 25% MDGS, and varying inclusion between 15 and 35% MDGS) were tested in a 2 × 3 factorial. Variable inclusion was accomplished by randomly selecting inclusions of 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35% each week with inclusion averaging 25% over the entire feeding period. There was no interaction between grass hay inclusion and MDGS inclusion (P ≥ 0.67) for performance data except a tendency (P = 0.09) for a gain to feed (G:F) interaction. In treatments fed 12% hay, G:F increased for cattle fed either MDGS inclusion (25% constant or varying inclusion) compared with 0% MDGS. In cattle fed 6% hay, G:F was similar between 0, 25 constant or variable 25% MDGS treatments. There was not an interaction due to a different response of variable versus constant inclusion of MDGS when more hay was included, as hypothesized. The 25% constant MDGS and 25% variable MDGS treatments did not differ (P ≥ 0.22) in average daily gain (ADG), hot carcass weight, or G:F. There was a tendency for cattle fed varying inclusion of MDGS to eat less (P = 0.10), but this difference was small (0.1 kg/d). In general, cattle fed MDGS (constant or varying) had greater dry matter intake and ADG, with greater fatness and marbling compared with cattle fed without MDGS (P ≤ 0.01). As for the degree of liver abscess severity, there was no interaction between treatments. Our results show that although varying supply of MDGS in diets is not recommended or desired, if it occurs and inclusions vary from 15 to 35%, these weekly adjustments did not negatively affect gain or feed efficiency in this study.

Effects of starch dilution with corn stalks or wet distillers grains with solubles on growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers

Effects of starch dilution with corn stalks or wet distillers grains with solubles on growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers

Effects of steam-flaked corn and wet distillers grains with solubles on energy metabolism of finishing beef steers*

Effects of steam-flaked corn and wet distillers grains with solubles on energy metabolism of finishing beef steers*

Aflatoxin Decontamination in Maize Steep Liquor Obtained from Bioethanol Production Using Laccases from Species within the Basidiomycota Phylum.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important crop in Argentina. Aspergillus section Flavi can infect this crop at the pre-harvest stage, and the harvested grains can be contaminated with aflatoxins (AFs). During the production of bioethanol from maize, AF levels can increase up to three times in the final co-products, known as, dry and wet distiller's grain with solubles (DDGS and WDGS), intended for animal feed. Fungal enzymes like laccases can be a useful tool for reducing AF contamination in the co-products obtained from this process. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of laccase enzymes included in enzymatic extracts (EE) produced by different species in the Basidiomycota phylum to reduce AF (AFB1 and AFB2) accumulation under the conditions of in vitro assays. Four laccase activities (5, 10, 15, and 20 U/mL) exerted by nine isolates were evaluated in the absence and presence of vanillic acid (VA), serving as a laccase redox mediator for the degradation of total AFs. The enzymatic stability in maize steep liquor (MSL) was confirmed after a 60 h incubation period. The most effective EE in terms of reducing AF content in the buffer was selected for an additional assay carried out under the same conditions using maize steep liquor obtained after the saccharification stage during the bioethanol production process. The highest degradation percentages were observed at 20 U/mL of laccase enzymatic activity and 1 mM of VA, corresponding to 26% for AFB1 and 26.6% for AFB2. The present study provides valuable data for the development of an efficient tool based on fungal laccases for preventing AF accumulation in the co-products of bioethanol produced from maize used for animal feed.

Short-term feed restriction induces inflammation and an antioxidant response via cystathionine-β-synthase and glutathione peroxidases in ruminal epithelium from Angus steers.

Decreased intake is induced by stressors such as parturition, transportation, dietary transitions, and disease. An important function of one-carbon metabolism (OCM) is to produce the antioxidant glutathione to help reduce oxidative stress. Although various components of OCM are expressed in the bovine rumen and small intestine, the relationship between reduced feed intake, OCM, and antioxidant mechanisms in gut tissues is unknown. This study aimed to assess alterations in immune and antioxidant pathways in ruminal epithelium due to acute feed restriction (FR). Seven group-housed ruminally cannulated Angus steers (663 ± 73kg body weight, 2yr old) had ad libitum access to a finishing diet (dry-rolled corn, corn silage, modified wet distiller's grains) during 15d of a pre-FR period (PRE). Subsequently, steers were moved to a metabolism barn with tie stalls and individually fed at 25% of estimated intake in PRE for 3d (FR period, FRP). This was followed by 15d of recovery (POST) during which steers had ad libitum access to the same diet as in PRE and FRP. Plasma and ruminal tissue biopsies were collected during each period. Plasma free fatty acid and IL1-β concentrations were higher (P ≤ 0.03) in FRP than PRE or POST. The mRNA abundance of the proinflammatory genes tumor necrosis factor, toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), and TLR4 in the ruminal epithelium peaked (P < 0.05) at FRP and remained higher at POST. These responses agreed with the higher (P < 0.05) abundance of phosphorylated (p)-MAPK (an inflammation activator) and p-EEF2 (translational repressor) in FRP than PRE and POST. Although ruminal glutathione peroxidase (GPX) enzyme activity did not increase at FRP compared with PRE and POST, protein abundance of GPX1 and GPX3 along with the antioxidant response regulator NFE2L2 were highest (P < 0.01), and the activity of cystathionine-beta synthase tended (P = 0.06) to be highest during FR. Although FR had minimal negative effects on tissue integrity-related genes (only filamin A was downregulated), it led to a systemic inflammatory response and triggered inflammation and antioxidant mechanisms within the ruminal epithelium. Thus, deploying anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms via molecules that feed into OCM (e.g., dietary methyl donors such as methionine, choline, betaine, and folate) could potentially counteract the stressors associated with FR.

Reducing the mass and decreasing the bioavailability of heavy mental from organic wastes treated by black soldier fly larvae

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), Hermetia illucens L., are widely used to reduce the mass of various wastes. However, the potential metal tolerance mechanisms during periods of waste bioconversion by BSFL remain largely unknown. To further reveal the mechanisms, BSFL were used to treat the agricultural organic wastes, including pig manure (PM), cow manure (COM), spent mushroom substrate (SMS), and wet distiller grains (WDG). After these individual and combined waste(s) were treated by BSFL, we investigated the waste reduction rates and evaluated the responses of BSFL gut microbes to heavy metals of agricultural organic wastes. Additionally, the colloidal particles of residual wastes were characterized by combing energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, Size potential, Zeta potential, and excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy. Results indicated that the waste reduction rates were up to 74% in COM+WDG and 69% in WDG, most of heavy metals (e.g., Zn and Co) from organic wastes were not accumulated in the bodies of mature larvae after treatment. Further, results obtained from the prediction of gene function on the basis of 16 S rRNA data revealed that the presence of multi-resistance genes in the gut of BSFL can help the larvae resist Zn and/or Co stress. In addition, the drug sensitivity test implied that BSFL5_L and BSFL6_L from BSFL gut bacterial strains have multi-resistance to Co and Zn. Additionally, EDX results revealed that the colloidal particles in five waste residues after BSFL treatment are mainly consisted of Fe, Ca and Si, which can capture heavy metals (e.g., Cu, Mn). Results from EEM spectroscopy and PARAFAC showed that tryptophan-like and humic-like accumulatively account for 56%− 68% of all components. Importantly, these two components could strongly bind the metal elements and form colloidal particles with high stability, and therefore reduce the heavy metal pollution of agricultural organic wastes. Our findings offered an environment-friendly method to treat agricultural organic wastes, which would be far-reaching influence to our environment.

401 Dietary Starch Dilution Strategies to Improve Feedlot Cattle Performance and Rumen Health

Abstract This study evaluated starch dilution with different sources of fiber from terminal implant to harvest on feedlot cattle performance, rumen buffering characteristics, and carcass outcomes. Steers (n = 416) were allocated to 48 pens in a randomized complete block design and assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments. Treatments were steam-flaked corn-based diets: CON; 7.5% corn stalks fed for the entire feeding period or CON followed by CS; 14.8% corn stalks, WD; 9.5% wet distillers grains with solubles and 7.5% corn stalks, or NR; 19.0% wet distillers grains with solubles and 0.0% corn stalks fed from terminal implant to harvest. Steers were transitioned to CS, WD, and NR over 6 d using a two-ration system. Within each pen, 2 steers received an indwelling rumen pH bolus and a 3-axis accelerometer ear-tag to quantify rumination. Treatment differences were considered statistically significant when P &amp;lt; 0.10. Dry matter (DM) and metabolizable energy (ME) intake were greatest for cattle consuming CS, intermediate for WD and CON, and least for NR (P &amp;lt; 0.01). The average daily gain (ADG) did not differ among treatments (P = 0.18); however, feed efficiency (G:F) was least for NR, intermediate for WD, and greatest for CS and CON (P = 0.10). Steers consuming CS had more (P = 0.08) 12th rib fat than NR, WD, or CON, but no other differences (P ≥ 0.24) in carcass characteristics were observed. A treatment × day interaction (P &amp;lt; 0.01) was observed for daily rumination time and ruminal pH. Results suggest that increasing the concentration of corn stalks in the diet post-terminal implant increased DM and ME intake and rumination; replacing corn stalks with wet distillers grains with solubles improved G:F and reduced rumination with minimal impacts on ruminal pH.

53 Effect of Vitamin A Supplementation During Gestation on Vitamin A Status of Beef Cows and Their Calves Managed in the Drylot

Abstract Cows fed diets consisting primarily of stored forages and concentrates may be at risk for vitamin A deficiency because these feedstuffs are low in β-carotene. Furthermore, dietary vitamin A concentrations of the cow during late gestation will affect vitamin A concentrations in colostrum, which calves rely on at birth to supply vitamin A. The objective of this study was to evaluate how level of vitamin A supplementation from mid-gestation to early lactation affected cow and subsequently, liver retinol concentrations of their calf. Multiparous beef cows (n = 54) were stratified by body condition score and previous source and assigned to pen (n = 9); 3 pens were assigned to each of the following treatments: current NASEM recommendation (31,000 IU/d; 1X), 3 times (93,000 IU/d; 3X), or 5 times (155,000 IU/d; 5X) the current NASEM recommendation for supplemental vitamin A. Cows were limit-fed a diet consisting of wheat straw, corn silage, and wet distillers grains. Liver biopsies were collected on cows 3 weeks before treatment initiation, d 40 and d 81 of supplementation, and both cows and calves were sampled 32 days post-calving (165 ± 22 d SD of supplementation). No differences (P=0.86) in initial cow liver retinol (mean 186 µg/g DM) were observed between treatments. A significant treatment × day interaction (P &amp;lt; 0.01) was observed for cow liver retinol. On d 40, cows in 1X had liver retinol concentrations (178 µg/g DM) that were not different (P = 0.12) from 3X (213 µg/g DM) but less (P = 0.02) than 5X (241 µg/g DM), while 3X and 5X did not differ (P = 0.21). Liver retinol on d 81 was less (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in 1X (189 µg/g DM) compared with 3X (334 µg/g DM) and 5X (412 µg/g DM), which did not differ (P = 0.20). For cow liver retinol post-calving, 1X (187 µg/g DM) was less (P&amp;lt; 0.05) than 3X and 5X, and 3X (454 µg/g DM) was less (P&amp;lt; 0.05) than 5X (674 µg/g DM). Liver retinol concentrations of 1X cows remained below adequate reference ranges (300–700 µg/g of DM) throughout the study, whereas 3X and 5X were increased into the adequate range by d 81. Calf liver retinol concentration also differed among treatments (P = 0.01), as calves of cows in 1X had less (P &amp;lt; 0.05) liver concentrations than 3X and 5X calves which did not differ (P=0.12). Liver retinol concentrations considered adequate for calves at 32 days of age (100–350 µg/g of DM) were not observed in 1X calves (51 µg/g DM) but were observed in calves from 3X and 5X cows (119 and 165 µg/g DM, respectively). Supplementing cows with 93,000 IU/d of vitamin A for 165 days brought liver retinol concentrations of cows and their calves up within adequate reference ranges.

PSV-14 Effects of Forage or Coproduct-Based Transition Diets on the Rumen Microbiome and Ruminal Fermentation ex Vivo in Feedlot Steers

Abstract The objective was to determine the effect of replacing forage with coproducts in transition diets on rumen microbiome composition and ruminal fermentation ex vivo after steers consumed a common finishing diet. A random subset of 30 steers were selected from a larger, separate pen study. Steers were blocked by initial BW and allotted into 9 pens. Pens were then assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments for the 35 d adaptation period: a forage-based diet (FO; alfalfa and grass hay), a coproduct-based diet (CO; soybean hulls and modified wet distillers grains with solubles), and a coproduct-based diet pair-fed (CO-P) to isoenergetic levels of FO. Dry-rolled corn inclusion increased with either decreasing forage or coproduct inclusion. Both FO and CO were fed with slick bunk management. At d 35 and 63, rumen fluid was collected by esophageal tubing to determine differences in fermentation of the finishing diet as the substrate in an ex vivo model. Rumen fluid was also utilized for microbiome analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform with 2 × 300 bp paired-end sequencing. Sequencing reads were analyzed within QIIME2. Statistical analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4. Fermentation data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure, while bacterial relative abundance data were analyzed in the GLIMMIX procedure. Correlations were analyzed using the CORR procedure. A treatment × sampling day interaction (P = 0.02) was observed for in vitro dry matter disappearance; on d 35, it was greater in steers fed CO compared with CO-P (58 vs. 53%, respectively), but no differences were observed on d 63. Within the rumen microbiome, there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for alpha diversity to have a treatment × day interaction. Specifically, CO steers had the greatest decrease in alpha diversity from d 35 to 63, but there was no change in alpha diversity in FO steers and CO-P steers over time. Final pH in from the ex vivo model was positively correlated (r = 0.32) with Bacteroidetes relative abundance but negatively correlated (r = -0.25) with Proteobacteria (P ≤ 0.05). In vitro dry matter disappearance was positively correlated (r = 0.38) with relative abundance of Firmicutes, but negatively correlated (r = -0.43) with Proteobacteria (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Dietary treatment did not affect (P ≥ 0.21) richness within the rumen microbiome. Rumen microbiome composition and ex vivo fermentation results suggest all treatments were adapted for the finishing diet at the conclusion of the 35-d adaptation period.

PSII-4 Effects of Rye or Triticale with or without Crimson Clover on Forage Yield and Quality, and Gestating Beef Female Performance

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the effects of rye or triticale with or without crimson clover on forage yield and quality, and gestating beef female performance. In experiment 1, four cover crop treatments (trt) were randomly assigned to plot (0.49 ha/plot; 6 plots/trt) in a 2×2 factorial design. Treatments included cereal rye or triticale with or without crimson clover. Plots were seeded mid-September (rye or triticale: 101 kg/ha; crimson clover inclusion: 84 kg/ha cereal and 9 kg/ha legume). Treatments were mechanically harvested for haylage at the end of May. Plot yield was determined by total forage mass collection. Prior to ensiling, samples (12/plot) were composited within plot to evaluate forage quality. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. Forage yield was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) with inclusion of crimson clover than without (3,208 vs. 2,654 kg/ha, respectively). Forage yield was not different (P = 0.17) between cereal type. Crimson clover inclusion reduced dry matter (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Between cereal types, rye had greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) DM than triticale. Crimson clover inclusion increased CP (P &amp;lt; 0.01; 9.6% vs 8.6%, respectively). Neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) in rye compared with triticale. In experiment 2, spring-calving cows and heifers (n = 105; BW = 633 ± 100 kg; gestation = 198 ± 17 days) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatment diets in a 42-day feeding trial to determine feed value of cover crops. Four diets were based on cover crops (60% inclusion) from experiment one with an additional control diet (CON; 85% alfalfa hay and 15% modified wet distillers grains). All treatments were limit fed (11.3 BW∙animal-1∙d-1/). Body weights (BW) and body condition scores (BCS) were assessed at trial initiation and conclusion. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. Female final BW and BW change were greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) in cover crop treatments compared with CON. Body weight change did not differ (P ≥ 0.21) between cereal type or with inclusion of crimson clover. Initial BCS was not different (P ≥ 0.47); however, final BCS was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) in cover crop treatments compared with CON. Crimson clover inclusion increased (P = 0.02) BCS change. In summary, inclusion of crimson clover increased forage yield, CP, and female BCS. Although rye cover crops had decreased quality prior to ensiling, there were no differences in cow performance compared with triticale. Substituting cover crops for alfalfa hay resulted in increased cow BW and BCS, suggesting the cover crops evaluated have greater feed value than alfalfa hay.

97 Effects of Creep Feed Duration in a Drylot System on Cow Performance and Reproduction as Well as Calf Performance Through Receiving

Abstract The objectives were to determine effects of creep feed duration in drylot-housed, cow-calf system on cow performance and reproduction as well as calf performance through receiving phase. Spring-calving, Simmental × Angus cows (5 ± 2 yr; n = 72) were stratified by calf age (83 ± 14 d), sex, and body weight (BW; 130 ± 17 kg) and allotted to 12 pens with six cow-calf pairs per pen. Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: calves fed commercial, pelleted creep feed (14% CP) for 105 d (105dCF) or final 21 d (21dCF) prior to weaning. Cow-calf pairs were housed on concrete drylots with open-front buildings for the pre-weaning period. Cows were limit fed at maintenance a total mixed ration. Ultrasound measurements for carcass composition of calves were collected on d 104. Calves were abruptly weaned on d 105 and transported 263 km to a feedlot for the receiving phase. Pen assignments remained for the 6-week receiving period. Calves had ab libitum access to a receiving ration that consisted of corn silage, modified wet distillers grains, grass hay, dry corn, and supplement. Reproduction data were analyzed using GLIMMIX and all other response variables were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.11) in cow BW, BCS, milk production, milk composition, or reproductive data. The 105dCF calves had greater (P ≤ 0.01) ADG from d 0 to 105 and BW than 21dCF (286 vs. 258 kg, respectively). The 105dCF calves had greater (P ≤ 0.01) longissimus muscle area, rib fat, and rump fat compared with 21dCF; however, intramuscular fat was not different (P = 0.20) between treatments. During the receiving phase, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.23) in dry matter intake. In the first 4 weeks of receiving there were no differences (P ≥ 0.73) in ADG; however, in the final 2 weeks 21dCF calves had greater (P = 0.02) ADG. The 21dCF calves had greater (P = 0.01) ADG during the overall receiving period. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.86) in gain to feed (G:F) for the first four weeks of receiving. The 21dCF calves had greater (P = 0.03) G:F for the final two weeks and tended to have greater (P = 0.08) G:F during overall receiving. However, the 21dCF calves (324 kg) were still lighter (P ≤ 0.01) BW than 105dCF (340 kg) at end of receiving. In conclusion, creep feed duration did not impact cow performance or reproduction. The 105dCF calves had increased ADG and BW for the pre-weaning period. Although the 21dCF calves had increased gain and feed efficiency at the end of receiving, the 105dCF calves remained the heavier for the duration of the experiment.

PSII-5 Impacts of Birth Body Weight Classification on Performance, Feed Efficiency, and Structural Characteristics in Beef Steers

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the relationship of birth body weight (BBW) classification on performance, feed efficiency, and structural characteristics in fall-born beef steers. Steers were classified based on BBW as either light (LtBBW; &amp;lt; -0.5 SD from mean), average (AvgBBW; ± 0.5 SD from mean), or heavy (HvyBBW; &amp;gt; +0.5 SD from mean). Steers (n = 167), either Angus or Hereford sired by commercial dams, were utilized in the analysis. Steers were early weaned at 81 ± 7 days of age. Following weaning, steers were managed in drylot pens until shipping on day 1 (140 ± 6 days of age). Upon feedlot arrival, steers were randomly assigned to pens and fed a growing diet for 87 days until transitioning to a finishing diet (DM basis; 45% high moisture corn, 25% corn silage, 20% modified wet distillers grains with solubles, 10% corn-based supplement). On day 98, steers began a 56-day evaluation utilizing GrowSafe system to determine dry matter intake (DMI). Steers were weighed monthly except during the intake evaluation period, where weights were collected biweekly. Foot, leg, and claw scores were collected for structural characteristics on days 58 and 237. Hip height was collected on day 237. As designed, birth body weight differed (P &amp;lt; 0.01) between classifications (30, 34, and 39 kg for LtBBW, AvgBBW, and HvyBBW, respectively). The BBW classification influenced (P &amp;lt; 0.01) body weight on days 1, 29, 59, 77, 98, 112, 126, 140, 154, 182, and 237; HvyBBW were heavier than LtBBW and AvgBBW, which were not different from each other. During the intake evaluation period, DMI was greater (P = 0.01) for HvyBBW compared with LtBBW and AveBBW, which did not differ from each other. Similarly, ADG differed (P = 0.03) by classification; HvyBBW was greater than LtBBW, with AvgBBW being intermediate but not different from either. Consequently, gain to feed did not differ (P = 0.44) by BBW classification. Following the intake evaluation, ADG tended (P = 0.09) to differ from day 154 to 237. Overall ADG from day 1 to day 237 differed (P = 0.01) by BBW classification; LtBBW were least and HvyBBW were greatest, with AvgBBW being intermediate but not different than either. Foot, leg, and claw scores were not different (P ≥ 0.15) by BBW classification on days 58 and 237. Hip height differed (P = 0.05) by BBW classification on day 237; HvyBBW were taller than LtBBW and AvgBBW, which did not differ from each other. In summary, heavy birth body weight steers had greater growth performance and DMI than light steers but did not differ in feed efficiency or structural characteristics.

263 Effects of Programmed Compensatory Gain on Feedlot Steer Performance

Abstract The objective was to determine the effects of programmed compensatory gain on feedlot steer growth performance. After a period of growth restriction, a return to ad libitum intake will result in compensatory gain as cattle convert feed more efficiently due to reduced maintenance costs. Simmental × Angus steers (n = 159; BW = 278 ± 49 kg) were blocked by BW, stratified by sire, and allotted to 10 pens. Each pen contained a 3.0 m-long bunk to allow 19 cm of linear bunk space per steer. Pens were randomly assigned to one of two treatments on d 0: control (CON) or programmed compensatory gain (PCG). To achieve programmed compensatory gain, previously growing animals were maintained at a constant BW by reducing the amount of feed offered by 3.29% daily for 10 consecutive d. Thus, on d 54, PCG steers were consuming 72% of original dry matter intake (DMI) and subsequently returned to ad libitum intake to facilitate a period of compensatory gain. Feed intake for CON pens was managed using slick bunk management for the entire experiment. Steers were fed a common diet consisting of 20% corn silage, 20% modified wet distillers grains, 25% high moisture corn, 25% dry rolled corn, and 10% supplement inclusion on a dry matter basis. Steers were feed twice daily at 0800 h and 1200 h. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 using a beta distribution. The model included fixed effects of treatment and block. From d 39 to 63, average daily gain (ADG) was greater (P = 0.03) for PCG steers compared with CON steers. No treatment effect (P = 0.36) for dry matter intake was observed from d 39 to 63 as PCG and CON steers were consuming 9.49 and 9.67 kg, respectively. Thus, PCG steers had a greater (P = 0.01) gain:feed (G:F) than CON steers from d 39 to 63. Body weight was not different (P = 0.38) on d 148. Also, ADG from d 0 to 148 was not different (P = 0.54) as PCG and CON steers gained 1.92 and 1.91 kg, respectively. From d 0 to 148, overall dry matter intake was not affected (P = 0.91) by treatment. However, programmed compensatory gain steers had a greater G:F (P = 0.01) compared with CON steers for the overall feeding period (0.216 vs 0.210, respectively). In conclusion, programmed compensatory gain improved G:F of feedlot steers over a 148 d-finishing phase without affecting final body weight. Effects of programmed compensatory gain should be further evaluated in a commercial setting with large feedlot pens.

Effect of Using Ensilaged Corn Wet Distillers’ Grains Plus Solubles (WDGS) as a Partial Replacement for Concentrated Feed for Wet Lot Fed Fatteners during Fattening on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Pork Quality

The purpose of this study was to determine the nutritional suitability of WDGS in pigs’ feeding and production. Pigs were liquid fed and divided into 3 groups. Pigs in the control group were fed diets based on cereal grains, while the experimental groups were also given 10% or 15% WDGS, which partially replaced their cereal grains. During this study, the average daily gains (ADG), feed intake, chemical composition of meat, fatty acid profile of meat, and quality parameters of the carcass and meat were examined. The highest statistical weight gains were detected for the group WDGS 10% during the first stage of the fattening period. No statistical differences were detected for the final body weight, carcass traits, chemical composition of the meat or the composition of fatty acids such as SFAs, PUFAs, and MUFAs, with the exception of eicosenoic acid (C20:1n9). Pigs fed on 10% WDGS exhibited lower peroxidation of lipids (TBARS) than the control group or WDGS 15%. Similarly, water holding capacity (WHC) was the lowest for the group WDGS 10%. Of the meat coloration, redness (a*), yellowness (b*), and chroma (C*) were affected by the WDGS’ inclusion, where the highest values were observed for the group WDGS 10%. In conclusion, WDGS can be utilized in the liquid feeding of pigs for up to 15% of their DM.

Utilizing Black Soldier Fly Larvae to Improve Bioconversion and Reduce Pollution: A Sustainable Method for Efficient Treatment of Mixed Wastes of Wet Distiller Grains and Livestock Manure.

Widespread environmental contamination caused by huge amounts of wastes generated by human activities has become a critical global concern that requires urgent action. The black soldier fly (BSFL) has gradually been used to treat different wastes due to high efficiency and low cost. However, little information is available regarding the treatment of mixed wastes by BSFLs. The impact of BSFLs on conversion of cow manure (COM) and pig manure (PM) via the incorporation of wet distiller grains (WDG) was assessed. Results demonstrate that the waste reduction rate was increased by 20% by incorporating 45% WDG to COM and PM. The bioconversion rate of BSFLs in COM and PM also increased from 1.20 ± 0.02% and 0.92 ± 0.02% to 10.54 ± 0.06% and 10.05 ± 0.11%, respectively. Total nitrogen content and δ15N/14N ratios of WDG + COM and WDG + PM were found to be significantly lower than those of COM and PM alone (p < 0.01). The organic matter changes during manure degradation were further analyzed by combing ultraviolet-visible spectrum (UV-vis) with excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy techniques and fluorescence area integration (FRI) method. The UV-vis spectra results indicate that the addition of WDG to manures resulted in the decreased aromaticity and molecular weight of the waste. EEM spectra demonstrated that the accumulative Pi,n values of regions III and V in COM, COM + WDG, PM, and PM + WDG were 58%, 49%, 52% and 63%, respectively. These results not only provide new insights into the potential of mixed wastes for BSFL treatment but also contribute to the basis for the formulation of effective management measurements that reduce and/or reuse these wastes.

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF WET DISTILLERS GRAINS WITH SOLUBLES (WDGS) IN THE DIET OF DAIRY COWS

Corn wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) included up to 25% in the diet of 16 Simmental dairy cows, 27 to 72 months old, during three weeks, negatively affected rumen function monitored by non-invasive parameters, such as fecal consistency, and also influenced milk quality by reducing milk fat content. Dry distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) are currently the most attractive by-product of the bioethanol industry due to the possibility of application in the diet of various animal species, whereas WDGS is often more locally available and financially affordable; however, there is little data in the literature indicating potential negative consequences of its use. Therefore, this report aims to point out, based on a practical example, the possible problems of its application in the diet of dairy cows as the most metabolically sensitive category, as well as to demonstrate steps to prevent and/or mitigate eventual errors.