Comparative feeding value of distillers dried grains plus solubles as a partial replacement for steam-flaked corn in diets for calf-fed Holstein steers: Characteristics of digestion, growth performance, and dietary energetics

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of level of dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) supplementation (0, 10, 20, and 30%; DM basis), replacing steam-flaked (SF) corn in finishing diets, on characteristics of digestion (Exp. 1) and growth performance (Exp. 2) in calf-fed Holstein steers. In Exp.1, 4 cannulated Holstein steers (349 ± 12 kg) were used to evaluate treatment effects on characteristics of digestion. Ruminal NDF digestion tended to increase (quadratic effect, P = 0.09) and ruminal OM digestion decreased (linear effect, P = 0.01) with DDGS substitution. There were no treatment effects on duodenal flow of microbial N (MN). Substitution with DDGS increased (linear effect, P < 0.01) N flow to the small intestine. The undegradable intake protein (UIP) value of DDGS was 35%. Postruminal digestion of OM (linear effect, P = 0.04) and fatty acids (linear effect, P = 0.03) and total tract digestion of OM and GE decreased (linear effect, P < 0.03) with increasing level of DDGS substitution. Substitution with DDGS did not affect (P = 0.80) ruminal pH but increased (linear effect, P = 0.01) acetate:propionate molar ratio. In Exp.2, 144 Holsteins steer (112 ± 6 kg) were used in a 305-d trial to evaluate treatment effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics. During the initial 126 d, DDGS substitution increased ADG (linear effect, P = 0.03), G:F (quadratic effect, P = 0.03), and dietary NE (quadratic effect, P = 0.02), maximal for both at 20% DDGS inclusion rate. Based on estimated indispensable AA supply to the small intestine as a percentage of requirements during the initial 126-d period, histidine was first limiting followed by methionine. During the final 179-d period and overall (305-d feeding period), treatment effects on ADG and G:F were small (P ≥ 0.22). Compared with the other treatments, HCW was greater (3.4; P = 0.03) at the 20% level of DDGS substitution. The NE value for DDGS in SF corn-based diets for the calf-fed Holstein are consistent with current tabular standards. Extra-caloric value of DDGS as a metabolizable AA source is apparent during the initial growing phase. The UIP value of DDGS used in this study (35%) was considerably less than current tabular estimates (52%; NRC, 2000).

Effect of level and source of supplemental tannin on growth performance of steers during the late finishing phase

“…Indeed, in 49 of 52 trials summarized by NRC (1984) in which protein supplementation increased growth rates of cattle, energetic efficiency also increased. However, during the finishing phase, growth performance of calf-fed Holstein steers fed steamflaked corn-based finishing diets (similar to that fed in the present studies) is not limited by metabolizable protein supply (Zinn et al 2000;Carrasco et al 2013).…”

Effects of monensin and virginiamycin supplementation in finishing diets with distiller dried grains plus solubles on growth performance and digestive function of steers

“…The inclusion of DDGS in feedlot diets increases acetate and reduced propionate, consequently increasing acetate:propionate molar ratio and methane production (Carrasco et al 2013). In the present study, the supplementation with monensin or virginiamycin did not influence molar proportions of these VFA, although methane production tended to reduce with these feed additives.…”

“…study, they did not observe this effect with supplemental monensin. The partial substitution of DDGS for steam-flaked corn in feedlot diets reduces ruminal OM digestion and increases flow of feed N to the small intestine (Carrasco et al 2013). In the present study, both monensin and virginiamycin, likewise, reduced ruminal OM digestion and increased flow of feed N to the duodenum, but they also decreased ruminal microbial N efficiency and net flow of microbial N to the small intestine.…”

“…Monensin is a widely used ionophore that is supplemented into feedlot diets to enhance growth performance (Goodrich et al 1984). Incorporation of higher levels of distiller dried grains plus solubles (DDGS) in feedlot diets alter ruminal fermentation in cattle, decreasing of ruminal organic matter (OM) digestion and increasing the acetate to propionate ratio (Carrasco et al 2013). Felix et al (2012) did not report beneficial effects of monensin supplementation on ruminal pH and volatile fatty acids (VFA) molar proportions in diets with DDGS supplemented with monensin.…”

Effects of a combining feed grade urea and a slow-release product on performance, dietary energetics and carcass characteristics of steers fed finishing diets

“…However, as a result of the cost of grains, the replacement of grains by co-products (i.e., dried distillers grain with solubles) in feedlot diets is a common practice (Klopfenstein et al 2008). This change produces diets that contain a lower amount of starch and a greater amount of fibre (Carrasco et al 2013). Thus, the S:ADF ratio in finishing diets can be reduced (i.e., from 5.0 to 3.0).…”