Increasing dietary proportion of wheat grain in finishing diets containing distillers' grains: impact on nitrogen utilization, ruminal pH, and digestive function

Author(s):  
Cody N Ream ◽  
Gwinyai E Chibisa

Abstract Because of its high crude protein (CP) content, dietary inclusion of corn dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) in finishing cattle diets can increase the ruminal loss of ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), which ends up excreted as urine urea-N (UUN). Increasing dietary fermentable energy supply can enhance ruminal use of N; however, it could also lead to acidotic conditions that compromise digestive function and animal performance. We evaluated the effects of partially replacing dietary corn grain with 20 or 40% (dry matter [DM] basis) wheat grain in finishing diets containing 15% corn DDGS on N utilization, ruminal pH and digestive function. Nutrient intake and digestion, ruminal fermentation characteristics, microbial protein synthesis, route of N excretion, and blood metabolites were measured. Six ruminally-fistulated crossbred beef heifers (initial BW ± SD; 797 ± 58.8 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 28-d periods. Dietary treatments were either corn (73% of diet DM; CON), 53:20 corn:wheat blend (20W) or 33:40 corn:wheat blend (40W) as the major fermentable energy source. Dry matter intake tended to be lower for heifers fed the 40W than CON and 20W diets. Feeding diets containing wheat grain led to an increase (P = 0.04) in NDF intake. However, there was no diet effect (P ≥ 0.60) on apparent total tract DM and NDF digestibility. Feeding wheat grain led to a decrease (P ≤ 0.03) in mean and minimum pH, an increase (P = 0.04) in pH < 5.8 duration, and a tendency for an increase in the area and acidosis index for pH < 5.8 and 5.5. Nitrogen intake, which was lower (P = 0.04) for 40W than 20W heifers did not differ between CON and 20W heifers. There was no diet effect (P = 0.80) on ruminal NH3-N concentration and estimated microbial N flow. However, feeding diets containing wheat grain led to a decrease (P = 0.045) in UUN excretion (% total urine N). Fecal and total N excretion (% of N intake) increased (P < 0.01) following the addition of wheat grain to the diet. Apparent N retention was lower (P = 0.03) for 40W than CON and 20W heifers. In summary, although it led to a desirable decrease in UUN excretion, feeding wheat grain in corn DDGS-containing diets increased acidotic conditions in the rumen, which possibly led to the tendency for a decrease in DMI. The negative apparent N retention at the 40% wheat grain inclusion also suggests a decrease in nutrient supply, which could compromise feedlot performance.

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 220-220
Author(s):  
Cody Ream ◽  
Allison V Stevens ◽  
Gwinyai Chibisa

Abstract This study examined the effects of altering ruminal fermentable carbohydrate (RFC) supply by feeding different amounts of corn and wheat in finishing cattle diets containing 15% corn dried distillers grains [DDGS; dry matter (DM) basis] on ruminal fermentation characteristics and nitrogen (N) utilization. Six ruminally-cannulated crossbred heifers were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 28 d periods. Dietary treatments were either corn (73% of diet DM; CON), 53:20 corn:wheat blend (20W) or 33:40 corn:wheat blend (40W) as the major fermentable carbohydrate source. Diets were isonitrogenous (12% CP; DM basis). Feed intake was measured daily. Indwelling pH logger were used to measure ruminal pH (d 22 to 28) and ruminal fluid was collected from d 26 to 28 to determine fermentation characteristics, as were feces and urine to measure N excretion. Data was analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS. Dry matter and N intake tended to be lower (P ≤ 0.07) for heifers fed the 40W compared to the CON and 20W diets. There was no diet effect (P = 0.15) on total VFA concentration; however, the duration and area for pH < 5.5 tended to be longer (P = 0.07) and greater (P = 0.096), respectively, for heifers fed the 20W and 40W compared to the CON diet. There was no diet effect (P ≥ 0.44) on ruminal ammonia concentration and total urine N excretion (g and % of N intake). However, urine urea N (UUN) excretion as a percentage of total urine N tended to be lower (P = 0.05) in heifers fed the 20W and 40W compared to the CON diet. In summary, although altering RFC supply by feeding increasing amounts of wheat resulted in a decrease in UUN excretion, it also caused a decrease in ruminal pH that possibly compromised DM intake.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas A Lancaster ◽  
Chris R Muegge ◽  
Jose R R Carvalho ◽  
Rodrigo C Lopes ◽  
Rafael S Narumiya ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effect of soybean hulls (SBH) and/or calcium oxide (CaO) on rumen pH, digestibility, and performance of steers fed diets containing dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). In experiment 1, Angus × Simmental steers (n = 112, body weight [BW] = 364 ± 7.8 kg) were allotted to 1 of 4 diets arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial and placed in 16 pens (7 steers/pen, 4 pens/treatment, and 28 steers/treatment). Factors were SBH (0% or 30% of diet dry matter [DM]) and CaO (0% or 1%) inclusion. Basal diets contained 20% corn stover, 30% DDGS, and 4% supplement. Diets with SBH contained 14.1% or 15.0% corn and diets without SBH contained 43.9% or 44.8% corn. In experiment two, four steers (BW = 510 ± 9.8 kg) were allotted to a 4 × 4 Latin square (21 d periods) to determine the effects of CaO and SBH on ruminal pH, volatile fatty acid (VFA), nutrient digestibility, and digestion kinetics. Statistical analyses were conducted using the MIXED procedure of SAS. In experiment 1, BW did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.46). Overall carcass-adjusted gain did not differ due to SBH or CaO inclusion (P ≥ 0.13); however, there was an interaction (P = 0.01) where CaO improved gain in steers fed no SBH, but not in steers fed SBH. Steers fed SBH consumed more DM than steers not fed SBH (P = 0.02) and an interaction tended to occur (P = 0.06) where CaO increased dry matter intake in steers fed no SBH, but not in steers fed SBH. Calcium oxide increased hot carcass weight and yield grade (interaction; P ≤ 0.04) and tended to increase fat thickness (interaction; P = 0.08) in steers fed no SBH, but not in steers fed SBH. Dressing percentage, longissimus muscle area, % kidney, pelvic, heart fat, and marbling score did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.14). Total VFA concentrations were greater with SBH inclusion and with CaO addition (P < 0.01). Digestibility of DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) was greater with CaO addition (P ≤ 0.04) and NDF and ADF digestibility were greater with SBH inclusion (P < 0.001). Inclusion of SBH did not affect (P ≥ 0.26) rate of digestion (kd) or passage (kp). Addition of CaO tended to increase mean retention time (P = 0.09). An interaction between SBH inclusion and CaO addition occurred for kd (P = 0.01), where CaO increased kd in steers fed SBH, but decreased kd when steers were fed no SBH. Total N excretion tended to be lower with SBH inclusion and CaO addition (P = 0.07). In conclusion, CaO enhances performance of cattle fed corn, DDGS, and corn stover diets, but not when corn is partially replaced by a fiber-based energy feed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 368-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary A. Rodenhuis ◽  
Faithe E. Keomanivong ◽  
Marc L. Bauer ◽  
Kendall C. Swanson

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of grain type (rolled corn vs. rolled barley) and oil concentration of dried corn distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS; moderate = 7.9% vs. low = 4.5% ether extract) on site of digestion. Seven ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein steers (716 ± 8.9 kg) were used in a 4 × 7 Youden square with experimental periods of 24 d. True ruminal organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility (% of intake) as well as intestinal (% of entering duodenum) and total tract starch digestibility was greater (P ≤ 0.03) in steers fed diets containing barley than in steers fed diets containing corn. Ruminal disappearance and ruminal, intestinal, and total tract OM, CP, and starch digestibility were not influenced (P ≥ 0.11) by feeding diets containing DDGS with differing oil concentration. Total tract lipid digestibility (%) was greater (P < 0.001) in steers fed diets containing moderate-oil DDGS than low-oil DDGS. These data indicate that including a low-oil DDGS, as compared with a moderate-oil DDGS, in finishing diets containing rolled corn or rolled barley does not influence intake or site of digestion of nonlipid components.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 775-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas M Winders ◽  
Melissa L Jolly-Breithaupt ◽  
Hannah C Wilson ◽  
James C MacDonald ◽  
Galen E Erickson ◽  
...  

Abstract The objectives of these studies were to evaluate the effects of biochar (0%, 0.8%, or 3% of diet dry matter) on diet digestibility and methane and carbon dioxide production from cattle on growing and finishing diets. The growing diet consisted of 21% brome hay, 20% wheat straw, 30% corn silage, 22% wet distillers grains plus solubles, and 7% supplement. The finishing diet consisted of 53% dry-rolled corn, 15% corn silage, 25% wet distillers grains plus solubles, and 7% supplement. In both trials biochar replaced fine ground corn in the supplement. Six crossbred steers (initial body weight [BW] 529 kg; SD = 16 kg) were used in both the growing and finishing trial. The growing diets were evaluated over 6 periods followed by the finishing trial with 3 periods. Digestibility measures were taken over 4 d after at least 8 d of adaptation to diets followed by 2 d of gas emission measurements using headbox calorimeters. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected (P ≥ 0.43; 7.91 kg/d) by biochar inclusion in the growing study and increased quadratically (P = 0.07) in the finishing study with 0.8% biochar inclusion having the greatest DMI (12.9 kg/d). Organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility increased quadratically (P = 0.10) in the growing study whereas OM digestibility tended to linearly decrease (P = 0.13) and NDF digestibility was not affected (P ≥ 0.39) by biochar inclusion in the finishing diet. Digestible energy intake (Mcal/d) was not affected (P ≥ 0.25) by biochar inclusion in the growing or finishing study. Methane production (g/d) tended to decrease quadratically (P = 0.14) in the growing study and was decreased 10.7% for the 0.8% biochar treatment relative to the control. There were no statistical differences in methane production (g/d) in the finishing study (P ≥ 0.32) but cattle on the 0.8% biochar treatment produced numerically less (9.6%) methane than the control. Methane production as g/kg DMI of the 0.8% biochar treatment relative to the control was numerically reduced 9.5% and 18.4% in the growing and finishing studies, respectively (P ≥ 0.13). Carbon dioxide production (g/d and g/kg of intake) quadratically decreased (P ≤ 0.06) in the growing study but was not affected by treatment in the finishing study (P ≥ 0.34). Although biochar is not a U.S. Food and Drug Administration -approved feed for cattle, the initial research shows potential as a methane mitigation strategy in both growing and finishing diets.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 190
Author(s):  
Eleonora Seoni ◽  
Myriam Rothacher ◽  
Yves Arrigo ◽  
Silvia Ampuero Kragten ◽  
Giuseppe Bee ◽  
...  

Two experimental periods were employed to investigate the fate of ingested CT from BT and their effects on the intake, digestibility, and N balance in lambs fed diets differing in CP levels. In period 1, 24 lambs were fed a basal diet either treated with polyethylene glycol (PEG+) to deactivate CT or without polyethylene glycol (PEG−). In period 2, the same lambs were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design and fed either the basal diet (BP) or a high protein diet (HP), again treated with or without PEG. In both experimental periods, feeding lambs diets without PEG caused a reduction in the dry matter (DM) intake and an increase in the DM digestibility. Urinary and total N excretion decreased in lambs fed diets without PEG, but only in absolute terms and not in relation to the N intake. The total N intake, total N excretion, and body N retention were higher with a higher dietary CP level. Related to the CT intake, less soluble and protein-bound CT were excreted by lambs fed diets without PEG, and more protein-bound and fiber-bound CT were excreted by lambs fed BP diets. Regardless of the PEG treatment and CP level, not all CT that are ingested are also excreted. The effect of PEG treatment on the N excretion pathway was independent of the CP level.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 165-165
Author(s):  
Paige R Spowart ◽  
John T Richeson ◽  
David M Crawford ◽  
Kendall L Samuelson

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of Sweet Bran™ (SB) and/or wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) in the diet alone or in combination on performance, carcass characteristics, ruminal pH, and rumination of finishing beef cattle. Steers (n = 455) were randomly allocated to 48 pens and assigned to 1 of 4 steam-flaked corn-based dietary treatments containing: no byproducts (CON), 20% WDGS (WDGS), 20% SB (SB), or 20% SB and 10% WDGS (COMBO). Within each pen, 2 steers were randomly selected to receive a ruminal pH bolus and ear tag to quantify pH and rumination. Diet samples were collected weekly to determine particle size and physically effective fiber. Final BW, DMI, and ADG were greater (P &lt; 0.01) for WDGS, SB, and COMBO than CON. Hot carcass weight was greatest (P = 0.04) for WDGS and SB, intermediate for COMBO, and least for CON. Yield grade tended (P = 0.09) to be greater for WDGS, SB, and COMBO than CON. A numerical increase in abscessed livers was observed for CON. The percentage of particles &gt; 4 mm was greatest (P &lt; 0.01) for CON, intermediate for SB, and least for WDGS and COMBO. However, NDF (P &lt; 0.01) and peNDF (P &lt; 0.01) were greatest for COMBO, intermediate for WDGS and SB, and least for CON. A treatment × time interaction was observed as CON cattle spent less time ruminating at 0800 and 1000 h (P &lt; 0.01) in a 24h period. Ruminal pH was least (P &lt; 0.01) for CON from 0800 to 1800 h. Addition of WDGS and/or SB improved performance and reduced feed cost of gain when incorporated into steam-flaked corn-based finishing diets. Relationships between peNDF, rumination behavior, and ruminal pH suggest that SB and/or WDGS enhance buffering capacity when steam-flaked corn is replaced in the diet.


Author(s):  
M Lewis ◽  
B G Lowman

Malt distillers grains (MDG) and brewers grains (BG) are the fibrous residues remaining after the extraction of sugars from malted barley during the process of malt whisky and beer production, respectively. MDG and BG are popular supplements in beef finishing diets with up to 15kg/head/day being fed on Scottish farms (Lilwall, Smith and Wood, 1983). However, in some areas, close to distilleries and breweries, and particularly during the summer months, MDG and BG can be bought cheaply and ensiled, and could be fed to appetite as the sole or major part of the diet. This investigation explores this possibility.Some unusual limitations of MDG and BG as a complete diet are that they are virtually devoid of soluble minerals such as Na and K and are low in some trace elements and vitamins. They also contain high levels of unsaturated fats which depress fibre digestion and voluntary dry matter intake (Miller et al., 1970). This effect can be partly overcome by supplementation with calcium carbonate (El Hag et al., 1972) probably by the formation of insoluble calcium soaps of fatty acids in the rumen. Based on these considerations a mineral/vitamin mix was designed specifically to supplement these materials.


1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 231 ◽  
Author(s):  
MG Mason ◽  
IC Rowland

Response of wheat to 7 rates of nitrogen (N) fertiliser was compared in clover-wheat (CW), lupin-wheat (LW) and continuous wheat (WW) rotations, in 4 alternate years on a grey gravelly sand over ironstone gravel at Badgingarra, during the period 1980-87. Nitrogen fertilisers significantly increased wheat grain yields in all assessment years (1981, 1983, 1985 and 1987). There were significant (P<0.05) interactions between rotation and N fertiliser in all years except 1983, with response to N fertiliser on wheat least in the LW rotation. The apparent average increases in N available in wheat dry matter, without added N, were 10.9 kg/ha from clover and 13 kg/ha from lupins. The contributions from clover and lupins in grain N were 10 and 12.3 kg/ha respectively. Organic carbon and total N levels in the soil were similar in the LW and WW rotations but were less than in the CW rotation. The levels of organic carbon in the LW and WW rotations decreased with time. Despite the difference in soil organic carbon and total N, grain yields were similar for the CW and LW rotations in the absence of N fertiliser but were higher than in the WW rotation. It was concluded that a LW rotation (in this environment) would be as effective, at least over a 6-year period, as a CW rotation in maintaining wheat yields due to the contribution of N from readily decomposible residues from the lupin crop. However, highest yields overall where obtained when N fertiliser was added to the CW rotation.


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