Effects of Dried Distillers’ Grains Cube Supplementation for Steers Grazing Introduced Pastures on Animal Performance and Forage Production

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 12-13
Author(s):  
Jordan Adams ◽  
Rodney Farris ◽  
Scott Clawson ◽  
Earl Ward ◽  
Paul Beck

Abstract We evaluated the effects of supplementing dried distillers’ grains cubes (DDGS) and re-implantation of steers (n = 149; BW = 238 ± 13.8 kg) grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)/bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) pastures (n = 9 pastures, 7.2 ± 2.90 ha) from 14 April to 17 September 2020 (n = 155 d) in a split-plot design on steer performance and forage production. Main plot supplemental treatments (n = 3 pastures/treatment) included 1) Fertilized Control (FC), no supplementation on fertilized pastures (112 kg N/ha); 2) Fertilized Supplement (FS), supplemental DDGS fed at 2.9 kg 3-d/wk on fertilized pastures; and 3) Supplement (S), supplemented DDGS at 0.75% BW/d on unfertilized pastures prorated for 5-d/wk feeding. Steers were previously implanted during receiving with 40 mg trenbolone acetate and 8 mg estradiol (REV-G; Revalor G, Merck Animal Health). On July 7, steers in each pasture were randomly assigned to one of three re-implant treatments: 1) no re-implant; 2) REV-G; or 3) 200 mg progesterone and 20 mg estradiol (Synovex S, Zoetis Animal Health). Steers in FS and S gained more (P < 0.01) than FC throughout the trial and final BW was greater (P < 0.01) for FS and S compared with FC. Unexpectedly, re-implanting had no effect on ADG (P = 0.57) or BW (P = 0.34), but statistical power may be lacking. Supplemental efficiency was greater in the late summer for FS (P = 0.05) compared to S. Fertilizing pastures in FS and FC did not affect biomass (P = 0.39), however, CP was increased (P = 0.01) and acid and neutral detergent fibers tended to decrease (P = 0.06) relative to S in the early summer (April, May, June, and July), but did not differ in late summer (August and September). Based upon our analysis, DDGS is a suitable supplement and can replace N fertilizer for steers grazing introduced pastures.

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 46-46
Author(s):  
Zane N Grigsby ◽  
Paul A Beck ◽  
Stacey A Gunter

Abstract This research was conducted to determine effects of supplementation and implanting on BW gain by steers grazing mixed grass prairie (n = 12 pastures, 19.9 ± 0.7 ha) in northwest Oklahoma. Three main plot treatments were: 1) Negative Control (NC), no supplementation, 2) Positive Control (PC), supplemented with DDGS cubes, 1.8 kg/steer on alternate days in late summer, 3) High Supplement (HS), 1/3 increase in stocking rate with 0.75% BW supplemental DDGS cubes all season. Steers (n = 125, BW = 223.1 ± 23.2 kg) were stocked at 2.2 ha/steer for PC and NC, 1.3 ha/steer for HS. Grazing was from May 17 – September 27 (132 d). All steers were implanted with 200 mg progesterone and 20 mg estradiol benzoate (SYN, Synonvex S, Zoetis Animal Health) on May 17. On July 18 three reimplant treatments were applied: 1) no reimplant; 2) SYN; or 3) 40 mg trenbolone acetate and 8 mg estradiol (Revalor G, Merck Animal Health). Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED in SAS as a split-plot experimental design. In early summer HS had 0.26 kg greater (P < 0.01) ADG than NC and PC. Late summer gains of PC were 0.33 kg/d more (P ≤ 0.01) than NC; and HS gained 0.49 and 0.16 kg/day more (P ≤ 0.04) than NC and PC, respectively. Gain per hectare for PC (46 kg/ha) were greater (P < 0.01) than NC (35 kg/ha) and more than doubled (P < 0.01) with HS (89 kg/ha). Reimplanting had no effect on ADG (P ≥ 0.28). Late season supplementation with PC resulted in supplemental efficiency of 2.7 kg supplement/kg added gain compared with NC. Increased stocking rates with season long supplementation in HS resulted in supplemental efficiency of 3.8 kg supplement/kg added gain per hectare. Based on these data, a 100% DDGS cube is an effective supplement option to increase BW gain during the late summer or increase carrying capacity and gain during the summer grazing period in northwestern Oklahoma.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 20-20
Author(s):  
Jordan Adams ◽  
Rodney Farris ◽  
Scott Clawson ◽  
Earl Ward ◽  
Paul Beck

Abstract During the summer grazing season, steers grazing introduced forages are oftentimes provided supplemental protein and energy to improve animal performance. However, it is important to determine if the additional supplementation is economically beneficial. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the profitability of supplementing dried distillers’ grains cubes (DDGS) to improve animal performance or replace the use of N fertilizer (112 kg N/ha from urea) for steers (n = 149; BW = 238 ± 13.8 kg) grazing mixed tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)/bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) pastures (n = 9 pastures, 7.2 ± 2.90 ha) from April 14 to September 17 (n = 155 d) using an enterprise budget analysis. Main plot supplemental treatments (n = 3 pastures/treatment) included 1) Fertilized Control (FC), no supplementation on fertilized pastures; 2) Fertilized Supplement (FS), 2.9 kg/steer DDGS supplemented 3-d/wk on fertilized pastures; and 3) Supplement (S), supplemental DDGS at 0.75% BW/d prorated for 5-d/wk feeding on unfertilized pastures. The assumptions used in this analysis were based on actual costs of inputs for pasture management and the DDGS offered, as well as the 5-year average Oklahoma auction market prices for 227 kg steers in April and 386 kg steers in October. Total cost per hectare was greater for S (P < 0.01), was least (P < 0.01) for FC, and FS was intermediate (P < 0.01). Cost per kg gain for FS and S was greater (P < 0.01) than for FC. Gross return per hectare tended to be greatest for S (P = 0.06), but net return per hectare was less for FS and S (P < 0.01) than FC. Although FS and S allowed for improvement of animal performance, our results imply that FC was the most profitable due to the cost of supplementation and low supplemental efficiency of S and FS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 128-128
Author(s):  
Hannah Speer ◽  
Hannah Riley ◽  
Robert Cushman ◽  
Harvey Freetly ◽  
Mary Drewnoski

Abstract Spring-born heifers (n = 1,012) weaned at 148 ± 17 d were used in a 3-yr study to evaluate performance in winter development systems which utilized cover crop and corn residue grazing. Heifers were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: grazing corn residue with dried distillers grains (CD) or wheat midds (CW) supplementation, or grazing late summer planted oat-brassica cover crop followed by corn residue supplemented dried distillers grains (CC). Grazing of corn residue (CD and CW) and cover crop (CC) began in early November. Supplementation during the corn residue phase was adjusted to target ~55% of mature BW (338 kg) at breeding. After 63 d, CC were moved to corn residue; on d 77 CD and CW began receiving grower ration. In mid-February (d 98), heifers were comingled and managed in a single group. Breeding season began in June and lasted for 29 d. Prior to corn residue grazing, ADG of CC was greater (0.76 kg/d; P< 0.01) than CD or CW (0.58 kg/d and 0.49 kg/d, respectively). Gain during the last 35 d of the winter period for CC was 0.13 kg/d less than CW (P< 0.01) but not different from CD. Overall winter ADG was greater (P< 0.05) for CC (0.62 kg/d) than CD (0.53 kg/d) or CW (0.50 kg/d). Percent of mature BW prior to breeding was 52% for CC and 50% for CD and CW. May reproductive tract scores did not differ (P=0.26) between CC and CW but were greater (P< 0.05) in CC than CD. Pregnancy rates were affected by treatment (P< 0.01), with CC (76%) being greater than CD (68%) and CW (64%). Utilizing oat-brassica cover crops early in the winter followed by a lower rate of gain while grazing corn residue appear to be effective for developing beef heifers. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 539 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Beck ◽  
T. Hess ◽  
D. Hubbell ◽  
M. S. Gadberry ◽  
J. Jennings ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of including alfalfa (ALF, Medicago sativa L.) or a combination of white (Trifolium repens L.) and red (Trifolium pretense L.) clovers (CLVR) inter-seeded into bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) on herbage nutritive value compared with monocultures of bermudagrass fertilised with 0 (0N), 56 (56N), or 112 (112N) kg nitrogen (N)/ha over four grazing seasons. In autumn, at the end of the fourth year and in the spring before the fifth grazing season, alfalfa and clover plants were killed and the carryover N benefit of CLVR or ALF was compared with N fertilisation rates during the fifth year. Across years, N fertilisation rate increased herbage mass and carrying capacity linearly; whereas herbage production from CLVR and ALF swards was equivalent to 56N, were greater than 0N and less than 112N. Herbage mass in CLVR and ALF swards was greater than fertilised bermudagrass swards in the spring and did not differ from fertilised bermudagrass in the early summer. In late summer herbage accumulation of CLVR and ALF swards appeared to decrease, limiting the herbage mass in the legume pastures compared with 56N and 112N. Carrying capacity of CLVR and ALF swards was greater than fertilised bermudagrass in the spring and early summer, but did not differ from fertilised swards in the late summer. The N benefit of including legumes in bermudagrass swards can alleviate the reliance on synthetic N fertilisation with little overall effect on pasture carrying capacity.


HortScience ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1015-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.J. Johnson

Pendimethalin and oxadiazon are used commonly to control crabgrasses (Digitaria spp.) in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]. A field experiment was conducted for 2 years to determine if reduced pendimethalin and oxadiazon application rates would control large crabgrass [D. sanguinalis (L.) Sco.] effectively in tall fescue and common bermudagrass. Oxadiazon applied at 1.1 kg a.i./ha in each of two applications at a 60-day interval (less than recommended rate) effectively controlled large crabgrass (≥93%), regardless of turfgrass species. Pendimethalin applied at 1.1 kg a.i./ha in each of two applications controlled large crabgrass in common bermudagrass effectively (≥90%) but not large crabgrass in tall fescue (47%). The difference in pendimethalin performance between the two species was attributed to the ability of common bermudagrass to compete more successfully than tall fescue with large crabgrass during late summer. Chemical names used: 3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(1-methylethoxy)phenyl]-5-(1,1-dimethylethy1)-l,3,4-oxadiazol-2-(3 H)-one (oxadiazon); N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine (pendimethalin).


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 547 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Beck ◽  
T. Hess ◽  
D. Hubbell ◽  
M. S. Gadberry ◽  
J. Jennings ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of including alfalfa (ALF, Medicago sativa L.) or a combination of white (Trifolium repens L.) and red (Trifolium pretense L.) clovers (CLVR) inter-seeded into bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) on herbage nutritive value compared with monocultures of bermudagrass fertilised with 0 (0N), 56 (56N), or 112 (112N) kg nitrogen (N)/ha over four grazing seasons. At the end of the fourth year (during the winter), legume plants in ALF and CLVR were killed and the carryover N benefit on bermudagrass nutritive value was evaluated during the fifth year. Pre-grazing herbage of all pastures exceeded the dietary recommendations for growing steers to maintain 0.9 kg/day average daily liveweight gain for crude protein and total digestible nutrients, 118 and 617 g kg/DM, respectively. Post-grazing herbage in ALF was below 600 g/kg total digestible nutrients at all times during the grazing season, post-grazing total digestible nutrients of CLVR was below 600 g/kg during the late summer and autumn. Post-grazing herbage of monoculture bermudagrass pastures fell below 600 g/kg in the middle of summer regardless of N fertilisation. Carryover N benefits of legumes were similar to 112N in the early summer, but were not different than 0N and 56N during the late summer and autumn. Replacing applications of synthetic N in bermudagrass swards with inter-seeding of either clovers or alfalfa produce herbage with equivalent nutritive value to heavily N fertilised monocultures of bermudagrass during the early summer, and similar to moderately N fertilised in the late summer and autumn. The inclusion of legumes in bermudagrass swards can reduce the reliance on synthetic N fertilisation with little overall effect on herbage nutritive quality possibly decreasing environmental impacts of grazing production systems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 182-183
Author(s):  
Jordan Adams ◽  
Jeff Robe ◽  
Zane N Grigsby ◽  
Abigail R Rathert ◽  
Nick Uzee ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate supplementation rates of dried distillers’ grains cubes (DDGS) on voluntary intake (DMI), rate and extent of digestibility, and blood parameters of growing Charolais-cross heifers (BW = 286 ± 28.9 kg) fed ad libitum bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay. For the 29-d study, heifers were randomly assigned to one of four supplementation treatments: 1) Control, no supplement (n = 6); 2) Low, supplemented 0.90 kg/d (n = 6); 3) Intermediate, supplemented 1.81 kg/d (n = 5); or 4) High, supplemented 3.62 kg/d (n = 6). Heifers were offered supplement each morning in individual stalls. From d 15 to 25, heifers were dosed twice daily with titanium dioxide in gelatin capsules (10 g/d), and fecal samples were collected via rectum at time of dosing from d 22 to 25 to estimate fecal output. Post-dosing, fecal sampling continued over 96-h from d 25 to 29 to determine passage rate (Kp) via titanium dioxide analysis. Blood was collected from each animal on d 26 via jugular venipuncture before supplementation, and 4 and 8-h post-supplementation for analysis of blood urea N (BUN), lactate, and glucose. Samples of feces, hay, and supplement were incubated in rumen-cannulated Holstein steers (n = 4; BW = 281 ± 29.5 kg) for 576-h to estimate digestibility with indigestible neutral detergent fiber as an internal marker. Data were analyzed by ANOVA using the mixed procedure of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc. Cary NC), with treatment least-squares means separated using orthogonal polynomial contrasts. Increasing DDGS linearly (P < 0.01) decreased forage DMI linearly, but linearly increased Kp, total diet DMI, and total diet digestibility. Linear increases (P ≤ 0.02) in glucose, lactate, and BUN were likewise observed with increasing DDGS. Increasing DDGS supplementation to growing calves consuming bermudagrass hay may increase productivity while reducing forage intake.


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