Increasing hay inclusion in silage-based receiving diets and its effects on performance and energy utilization in newly weaned beef steers

Abstract The influence of grass hay (GH) inclusion in replacement of corn silage in receiving diets on growth performance and dietary net energy (NE) utilization was evaluated in newly weaned beef steers (n = 162 Charolais-Red Angus cross steers; initial body weight [BW] = 278 ± 13.4 kg). Treatments were (DM basis): 1) 0% GH, 2) 10% GH, or 3) 20% GH inclusion in replacement of corn silage in receiving diets fed to newly weaned beef steers for 56 d. The study was conducted from October to December of 2019. Data were analyzed as randomized complete block design with pen serving as the experimental unit for all analyses. Increasing dietary inclusion of hay had no influence (P ≥ 0.11) on final BW, ADG, gain:feed or observed/expected dietary NEM and NEG, observed/expected dry matter intake (DMI), or observed/expected ADG. GH inclusion increased (linear effect, P = 0.01) DMI. Observed DMI for all treatments was approximately 15% to 17% less than anticipated based upon steer growth performance and tabular NE values. Evaluation of observed/expected ADG was 31% to 37% greater than expected for the steers in the present study. Particles less than 4 mm increased (linear effect, P = 0.01) and greater than 4 mm decreased (linear effect, P = 0.01) as GH replaced corn silage in the receiving diet. As the proportion of particles greater than 4 mm increased, cumulative ADG was decreased. These data indicate that GH should be considered in corn silage-based receiving diets to improve DMI. In high-risk calves, improved DMI could result in a lesser incidence of morbidity, although no morbidity was observed in any steers from the present study.

Download Full-text

159 Evaluation of Bacillus Subtilis PB6 Probiotic (CLOSTAT® 500) on Feedlot Phase Growth Performance, Efficiency of Dietary Net Energy Utilization, and Fecal and Subiliac Lymph Node Salmonella Prevalence

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.198 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 119-120

Author(s):

Zachary K Smith ◽

Paul Rand R Broadway ◽

Keith Underwood ◽

Warren C Rusche ◽

Julie Walker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacillus Subtilis ◽

Lymph Node ◽

Lymph Nodes ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Net Energy ◽

Fecal Samples

Abstract Yearling beef steers (n = 238; initial BW=402 ± 31.2 kg) were used to evaluate a Bacillus subtilis probiotic on growth performance, dietary net energy (NE) utilization, carcass characteristics, and fecal and subiliac lymph node Salmonella prevalence during a 140-d finishing period. Steers were allotted to 24 pens (n = 9 to 10 steers/pen) and assigned to one of two treatments (12 pens/treatment): no probiotic (CON) or 0.50 g·steer-1·d-1 of a Bacillus subtilis PB6 probiotic (CLOSTAT® 500, Kemin Industries, Des Moines, IA; CLO). Steers were transitioned to a 90% concentrate diet (DM basis) over 14-d. Steers were fed once daily at 0700 h; bunks were managed according to a slick bunk management. Fecal samples were collected on d 1, 28, 56, 112, and 140 from each pen (n = 5 steers/pen) via rectal palpation and composited by pen for determination of Salmonella prevalence. Upon harvest, subiliac lymph nodes were obtained from 60 steers in CON and 57 steers in CLO. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design; pen was the experimental unit; α of 0.05 determined significance. No differences were detected (P ≥ 0.25) between treatments for live or carcass-adjusted average daily gain, dry matter intake, gain efficiency, dietary NE utilization, nor calculated dietary NE content based upon performance. No differences were detected between treatments for any carcass traits (P ≥ 0.15). Salmonella was not recovered in any fecal samples except on d 112, where steers from CLO had a numerically lower (P = 0.17; 8.3 vs. 25.0%) incidence of fecal Salmonella compared to CON and on d 140 fecal, where Salmonella incidence did not differ (P = 0.34; 0.0 vs. 8.3%) for CON and CLO, respectively. Salmonella was not recovered in any subiliac lymph nodes. These data indicate that CLO did not influence growth performance or Salmonella prevalence.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of an active live yeast (Levucell Saccharomyces cerevisiae, CNCM l-1077) on receiving and backgrounding period growth performance and efficiency of dietary net energy utilization in low health risk beef steers1

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txaa127 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Zachary K Smith ◽

Kip Karges ◽

Angel Aguilar

Keyword(s):

Health Risk ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Feed Ratio ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Net Energy ◽

Respiratory Pathogens ◽

Live Yeast

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of an active live yeast direct-fed microbial (DFM) product on receiving and backgrounding period growth performance and efficiency of dietary net energy (NE) utilization in low health risk beef steers. Maine-Anjou × Angus steers (n = 199; body weight [BW] = 252 ± 32.1 kg) were received from two sources at the Ruminant Nutrition Center in Brookings, SD, in November 2019 and used in a 77-d feedlot receiving and backgrounding experiment. Steers were provided access to long-stem hay and ad libitum water upon arrival. Steers were weighed, vaccinated for respiratory pathogens (source 2 only): infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine viral diarrhea types 1 and 2, parainfluenza-3 virus, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (Bovi-Shield Gold 5, Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ) vaccinated for clostridial species (Ultrabac 7/Somubac, Zoetis) and pour-on moxidectin (Cydectin, Bayer, Shawnee Mission, KS). Steers (n = 176 steers; initial unshrunk BW = 235 ± 27.6 kg) were allotted to pens (n = 20 pens; 10 pens per treatment; eight or nine steers per pen). Diets were based upon corn silage, dry-rolled corn, and dried distillers grains; dietary treatments were 1) no DFM (CON) and 2) DFM (Levucell SC, Advantage Titan, CNCM l-1077), fed at 10 g/steer/d providing 8 × 109 CFU of active live yeast to each steer daily (DFM). Initial BW was the average of day −1 and day 1 BW (n = 176 steers; initial BW = 253 ± 27.6 kg). On day 21, steers received a 200-mg progesterone and 20-mg estradiol benzoate implant. Data were analyzed from day 1 to 47 (receiving period), day 48 to 77, and from day 1 to 77 as a randomized complete block design; pen served as the experimental unit for all analyses. On day 47 of the experiment, DFM had greater BW (P = 0.01) by 0.9% and average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.01) by 4.2% and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) tended (P = 0.13) to be 2.8% greater. Day 77 BW did not differ (P = 0.60), cumulative (days 1–77): ADG (P = 0.47), dry matter intake (P = 0.66), and G:F (P = 0.56) were similar. Yeast inclusion had no appreciable influence on performance-based dietary NE utilization or the ratio of observed/expected dietary NE (P ≥ 0.59). In low health risk steers, DFM improved performance during the feedlot receiving period. However, no improvements for DFM were detected for cumulative performance from day 1 to 77. The confirmation of yeast counts indicated the CFU to be above the expected level at the start of the trial but was found below expected level at the end of the trial. This may explain differences during the initial 47 d compared to cumulative growth performance results.

Download Full-text

450 Late-Breaking: Effects of bedding on feedlot receiving phase growth performance in beef steers during the winter in eastern South Dakota

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz258.289 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 141-142

Author(s):

Dathan Smerchek ◽

Zachary K Smith

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Rate ◽

South Dakota ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Phase Growth ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Daily Gain

Abstract Two-hundred and forty English × Continental beef steers (initial BW=365 kg [SD 22.5]) were used in a randomized complete block design to evaluate the effects of bedding application during a 36 d feedlot receiving phase on growth performance and efficiency during winter. Steers were allotted to 30 pens (n = 8 steers/pen) at the Ruminant Nutrition Center in Brookings, SD and pens were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 1) No bedding applied (NO) or 2) 1.8 kg (as-is basis) of wheat straw bedding/steer/d (BED). Due to the logistics of acquiring, weighing, and timely feeding of steers, the first 9 pen replicates began on test 14 d prior (begin: January 15, 2019 and end: February 20, 2019) to the last 6 pen replicates (begin: January 29, 2019 and end: March 6, 2019). Pen was the experimental unit; an α of 0.05 determined significance. Daily ambient temperature (n = 50) averaged -14.7°C [SD 5.63] and wind-chill (n = 50) averaged -17.7°C [SD 6.40]. Initial BW (365 vs. 365 ± 0.5 kg) and dry matter intake (8.19 vs. 8.22 ± 0.047 kg) did not differ (P ≥ 0.57) between NO and BED. End BW was greater for BED (P = 0.01; 419 vs. 402 ± 1.09 kg) compared to NO. Steers from BED had increased average daily gain (P = 0.01) by 48.0% and gain:feed (P = 0.01) by 49.2% over NO. Using tabular ingredient energy values and observed steer performance shrunk 4%, relative adjustments to metabolic rate were calculated. Estimated metabolic rate was elevated (P = 0.01) for NO (0.146 vs. 0.104 ± 0.0032 Mcal/BW0.75, kg). Bedding improves feedlot receiving phase growth and efficiency in eastern South Dakota during the winter. Under the environmental conditions of this experiment, steers have a 40.4% increased metabolic rate when bedding is not used and steers in bedded pens had a 35.1% increase in metabolic rate compared to (0.077 Mcal/BW0.75, kg).

Download Full-text

294 Effects of bedding application on growth performance and carcass traits in finishing beef steers during the winter and spring in eastern South Dakota

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa054.250 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 143-143

Author(s):

Dathan Smerchek ◽

Zachary K Smith

Keyword(s):

South Dakota ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Block Design ◽

Concrete Surface ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Phase Growth ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design

Abstract Two-hundred and forty Continental × English beef steers (allotment BW = 365 kg [SD 22.5]) were used in a randomized complete block design feedlot study to evaluate the effects of bedding application during the finishing phase. Steers were allotted to 30 concrete surface pens (n = 8 steers/pen) at the Ruminant Nutrition Center (RNC) in Brookings, SD. A common diet was fed that contained 2.09 Mcal/kg of NEm and 1.39 Mcal/kg of NEg and provided 30 g/ton of monensin sodium to diet DM. Pens were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 1) No bedding applied (NO) or 2) 1.8 kg (as-is basis) of wheat straw bedding/steer/d (BED). The first 9 pen replicates began on test 14 d prior to the last 6 pen replicates. Pen was the experimental unit; an α of 0.05 determined significance. This study was part of a factorial experiment that included steroidal implant. No interactions were detected (P ≥ 0.09). Daily ambient temperature (n = 183) averaged 4.33°C [SD 3.21] during the study. Dry matter intake was increased (P = 0.01) by 5.8% in BED compared to NO. Carcass-adjusted ADG (P = 0.01) and G:F (P = 0.01) were increased in BED by 21.0% and 14.4%, respectively. Carcass-adjusted final BW and HCW tended to differ (P ≤ 0.07) between NO and BED. Cattle from NO required an additional 35 days to achieve similar final live BW. Rib eye area (P = 0.69) did not differ between NO and BED. Dressing percentage (P = 0.01; 63.29 vs. 62.30 ± 0.410%), backfat (P = 0.01; 1.19 vs. 1.09 ± 0.410 cm), marbling (P = 0.01; 475 vs. 437 ± 6.6), and yield grade (P = 0.03; 2.95 vs. 2.81 ± 0.045) were increased in NO. Estimated metabolic rate was elevated (P = 0.02; 0.0995 vs. 0.0948 ± 0.013 Mcal/BW0.75, kg), for NO vs. BED. Bedding improved feedlot finishing phase growth performance and gain efficiency during finishing in eastern South Dakota.

Download Full-text

162 Effects of bedding application on feedlot receiving phase growth performance and estimated maintenance requirement in newly weaned beef steers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa278.235 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. 128-129

Author(s):

Dathan Smerchek ◽

Zachary K Smith

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Concrete Surface ◽

Study Data ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Red Angus

Abstract The effect of bedding application on growth performance and estimated maintenance energy requirements during the feedlot receiving phase was evaluated in newly weaned beef steers (n = 162 Charolais-Red Angus cross steers; initial un-shrunk body weight [BW] = 278 ± 13.4 kg). Steers were housed in 18 concrete surface pens (n = 9 steers/pen) measuring 7.62 × 7.62 m at the Ruminant Nutrition Center in Brookings, SD. A corn silage based receiving diet was fed that contained approximately 1.74 Mcal/kg of NEm, approximately 1.12 Mcal/kg of NEg, and monensin sodium at 27.6 g/T. Pens were assigned to one of two treatments: 1) no bedding (NO), or 2) 1.0 kg (as-is basis) of wheat straw bedding/steer/d (BED). The study was conducted from October to December of 2019. Daily ambient temperature (n = 56) averaged -3.0°C [SD 5.5] and windchill averaged -5.1°C [SD 6.1] during the course of the study. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) as a randomized complete block design with pen serving as the experimental unit. An α of 0.05 determined significance and tendencies were declared from 0.06 to 0.10. At study initiation, initial un-shrunk body weight did not differ (P = 0.69) between treatments. Bedding application did not influence (P ≥ 0.66) final body weight (shrunk 4%) or average daily gain. Dry matter intake tended to increase (P = 0.06) by 3.8% in NO compared to BED. Gain to feed was increased (P = 0.01) by 5.6% in BED compared to NO. Maintenance coefficient (MQ) was elevated (P = 0.03) 18.9% for NO compared to BED. These data indicate that bedding application improved feed efficiency and reduced estimated MQ in beef steers during the feedlot receiving phase.

Download Full-text

256 Evaluation of Replacement of Dietary Corn with Corn Bran Plus Condensed Distillers Solubles on Growth Performance and Carcass Trait Responses in Finishing Beef Steers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.208 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 125-125

Author(s):

Zachary K Smith ◽

Mallorie Wilken

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Block Design ◽

Carcass Trait ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Net Energy ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Corn Bran ◽

Control Distribution ◽

Gluten Feed ◽

Condensed Distillers Solubles

Abstract This experiment evaluated replacing dietary corn (50:50 blend of dry-rolled and high-moisture) with corn bran plus condensed distillers solubles (CBCDS) on finishing phase growth performance, efficiency of dietary net energy (NE) utilization, comparative NE value, and carcass trait responses in finishing beef steers. This study used 30 pens of 8 steers/pen assigned to one of three treatments in a randomized complete block design (initial BW=401±43.2 kg); pen served as the experimental unit. Treatments included: 1) finishing diet that contained no corn co-product (Control); 2) finishing diet that contained a dry-corn milling bio-refinery product (20% DM basis inclusion) that replaced corn in the diet: CBCDS; 3) finishing diet that contained a wet-corn milling co-product (20% DM basis inclusion) that replaced corn in the diet: wet corn gluten feed (WCGF). For all analyses, an α of 0.05 determined significance and an α of 0.06 to 0.10 was a tendency. No differences were detected (P ≥ 0.58) among treatments for carcass-adjusted final BW (HCW/0.6433), ADG, or G:F. Observed NE for maintenance and gain was not impacted (P ≥ 0.28) by treatment. No appreciable influence for treatment was detected for the ratio of observed to expected dietary NE for maintenance or gain (P ≥ 0.40). Replacement NEm and NEg values (Mcal/45.4 kg) were determined to be 93.5 and 62.3 for CBCDS and 91.5 and 60.5 for WCGF. There was no influence (P ≥ 0.16) of treatment on DP, HCW, REA, RF, USDA Marbling, KPH, EBF, or final BW at 28% EBF. Treatment tended to influence (P = 0.10) YG, where steers fed WCGF had lesser YG than Control; however, CBCDS diet was intermediate, not differing from WCGF or Control. Distribution of USDA Quality and Yield Grade did not differ (P ≥ 0.29) among treatments. Substitution of corn for CBCDS at 20% of dietary DM can occur without detriment to growth performance or carcass traits.

Download Full-text

21 Effect of Corn Silage Inclusion Rate on Live Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Net Energy Utilization and Beef Production Per Hectare in Feedlot Finishing Steers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab054.045 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 25-26

Author(s):

Elizabeth M Buckhaus ◽

Zachary K Smith

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Corn Silage ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Net Energy ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Beef Production ◽

Finishing Cattle ◽

Finishing Steers ◽

Inclusion Rate ◽

Dietary Treatments

Abstract Maine-Anjou × Angus beef steers (n = 156; initial BW 366 ± 37.2 kg) were used in a finishing experiment at the Ruminant Nutrition Center in Brookings, SD. Steers were weighed on 2 consecutive days and assigned into 5 weight blocks (replicate pens). Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial, 2 types of implants and 2 dietary treatments. Dietary treatments consisted (DM basis) of 1) 15% (CS15) or 2) 30% corn silage (CS30). Other ingredients consisted of DRC, HMC, liquid supplement and a dry supplement. The NEm, NEg and CP of CS15 was 94.8 Mcal/45.4 kg, 64.0 Mcal/45.4 kg and 12.7% and 91.2 Mcal/45.4 kg, 61.1 Mcal/45.4 kg, and 12.5% respectively (DM basis) for CS30. Bunks were managed using a slick bunk approach and all diets contained (DM basis) 33 mg/kg monensin sodium. Corn silage yield was assumed to be 45.7 Mg/ha and corn grain yield was calculated to be 10.2 Mg/ha. Beef production per hectare was calculated as (carcass adjusted final BW – initial BW)/hectare. No interaction between diet and implant (P ≥ 0.16) was detected for any variables. Final BW, ADG, and G:F were increased (P ≤ 0.02) by 2.2%, 6.5% and 7.2% respectively for CS15. Observed NE and the ratio of observed-to-expected NE for maintenance and gain was not influenced (P ≥ 0.15) by treatment. Dressing percent (64.52 vs. 63.47 ± 0.250; P = 0.01) and HCW (379 vs. 371 ± 13.1 kg; P = 0.02) were greater in CS15. Beef production per hectare was not impacted (P = 0.76) by feeding greater levels of corn silage. Feeding CS15 resulted in greater carcass-adjusted growth performance and HCW. No differences in beef produced per hectare of crop land means producers can feed greater inclusions of corn silage to finishing cattle without impacting carcass quality or beef production.

Download Full-text

Bedding Application to Feedlot Steers: Influence on Growth Performance, Estimated Maintenance Coefficient, Carcass Characteristics, and Circulating Metabolites in Beef Steers

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10101766 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1766

Author(s):

Dathan Thomas Smerchek ◽

Zachary Kidd Smith

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Serum Insulin ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Feedlot Steers ◽

Maintenance Coefficient ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Red Angus ◽

Daily Gain

Two randomized complete block design experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of bedding use in confined beef steers. Experiment 1 used Simmental × Angus steers (n = 240; initial body weight (BW) = 365 ± 22.5 kg). Experiment 2 used newly weaned Charolais × Red Angus steers (n = 162; initial BW = 278 ± 13.4 kg). Steers were allotted to one of two treatments: (1) no bedding (NO), or (2) 1.8 kg (Experiment 1) or 1.0 kg (Experiment 2) of wheat straw (as-is basis) bedding/steer·d−1 (BED). In Experiment 1, applying bedding improved (p ≤ 0.01) dry matter intake (DMI), kg of gain to kg of feed (G:F), and average daily gain (ADG). Bedding reduced (p = 0.01) the estimated maintenance coefficient (MQ). Dressing percentage, rib fat, marbling, and yield grade were increased (p ≤ 0.03) in NO. Bedding resulted in an increase (p = 0.01) in serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). In Experiment 2, a tendency (p = 0.06) for increased DMI for NO was noted. Bedding improved G:F (p = 0.01). MQ was elevated (p = 0.03) for NO and NO had an increase (p = 0.02) in serum concentration of urea-N (SUN). An increase (p = 0.01) in serum non-esterified fatty acid was noted for NO. These data indicate that bedding application should be considered to improve growth performance and feed efficiency by reducing maintenance energy requirements in beef steers during the feedlot receiving and finishing phase.

Download Full-text

PSX-B-5 Effect of replacement of dry-rolled corn with un-processed rye on growth performance, efficiency of dietary net energy utilization, and carcass traits of finishing heifers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.813 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 458-459

Author(s):

Keith M Buckhaus ◽

Warren C Rusche ◽

Zachary K Smith

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Block Design ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Estradiol Benzoate ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Net Energy ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Trenbolone Acetate ◽

Finishing Diets

Abstract Continental × British beef heifers were used in a randomized complete block design experiment to evaluate the effects of replacing dry-rolled corn with unprocessed rye on growth performance, efficiency of dietary net energy (NE) utilization, and carcass trait responses in finishing heifers. Heifers (n = 56; 433 ± 34.0 kg) were transported 241 km from a regional sale barn to the Ruminant Nutrition Center in Brookings, SD. Heifers were blocked by weight grouping and then allotted to pens (n = 7 heifers/pen and 4 pens/treatment). Treatments included a finishing diet that contained 60% grain (DM basis) as dry-rolled corn (DRC) or unprocessed rye grain (RYE). On d 14, heifers were consuming the final diet and were implanted with 200 mg of trenbolone acetate and 28 mg of estradiol benzoate (Synovex-Plus, Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ). RYE heifers had decreased (P ≤ 0.01) final body weight, average daily gain, and gain efficiency; but tended (P = 0.08) to have a greater dry matter intake compared to DRC. RYE had decreased (P ≤ 0.01) observed dietary NE and decreased (P ≤ 0.01) observed-to-expected dietary NE ratio for maintenance and gain compared to DRC. Dressing percentage, 12th rib fat thickness, ribeye area, and the distribution of USDA yield and quality grades were not altered (P ≥ 0.12) by diet. Hot carcass weight, yield grade, estimated empty body fat (EBF), and body weight at 28% EBF decreased (P ≤ 0.02) and retail yield increased (P= 0.01) in RYE compared to DRC. These data indicate that unprocessed rye is a palatable feed ingredient for inclusion in finishing diets for beef cattle and that rye inclusion only minimally influences carcass quality. The feeding value of unprocessed rye is considerably less (21.4%) than that of dry-rolled corn using current standards and approximately 91% of the NE value of processed rye.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of hybrid rye on growth performance, carcass traits, and efficiency of net energy utilization in finishing steers

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txaa173 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Warren C Rusche ◽

Julie Ann Walker ◽

Peter Sexton ◽

Rebecca S Brattain ◽

Zachary K Smith

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Traits ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Carcass Weight ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Net Energy ◽

Complete Replacement ◽

Finishing Steers ◽

Hybrid Rye

Abstract Crossbred beef steers with a high percentage of Angus ancestry [n = 240, initial shrunk body weight (BW), 404 ± 18.5 kg] were used in a 117-d feedlot experiment to evaluate the effect of hybrid rye (Rye; KWS Cereals USA, LLC, Champaign, IL) as a replacement for dry-rolled corn (DRC) on growth performance, carcass traits, and comparative net energy (NE) value in diets fed to finishing steers. Rye from a single hybrid (KWS Bono) with an ergot alkaloid concentration of 392 ppb was processed with a roller mill to a processing index (PI) of 78.8 ± 2.29. Four treatments were used in a completely randomized design (n = 6 pens/treatment; 10 steers/pen), where DRC (PI = 86.9 ± 4.19) was replaced by varying proportions of Rye [DRC:Rye, dry matter (DM) basis (60:0), (40:20), (20:40), and (0:60)]. Liver abscess scores and carcass characteristics were collected at the abattoir. Carcass-adjusted performance was calculated from hot carcass weight (HCW)/0.625. Performance-adjusted NE was calculated using carcass-adjusted average daily gain (ADG), DM intake (DMI), and mean equivalent shrunk BW with the comparative NE values for rye calculated using the replacement technique. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) with pen as the experimental unit. Treatment effects were tested using linear and quadratic contrasts, as well as between diets with and without Rye. Replacing DRC with Rye linearly decreased (P ≤ 0.01) carcass-adjusted final BW, ADG, DMI, and gain:feed (G:F). Feeding rye linearly decreased HCW and longissimus muscle area (P ≤ 0.04). Distributions of liver scores and USDA grades for quality and yield were unaffected by treatment (P ≥ 0.09). Estimated replacement NE for maintenance (NEm) and gain (NEg) values for rye, when included at 60% of diet DM, were 1.90 and 1.25 Mcal/kg, respectively. Rye can be a suitable feed ingredient in finishing diets for feedlot steers. Estimated replacement values of Rye when fed at 60% of diet DM closely agreed with current tabular standards but, when included at 20% of diet DM, estimated NEm and NEg values of Rye were increased 9.5% and 12.8%, respectively. Net energy value of Rye for gain is approximately 84% compared to DRC; thus, the complete replacement of DRC with Rye depressed DMI, ADG, G:F, and carcass weight.

Download Full-text