Effect of substitution of distillers grains and glycerin for steam–flaked corn in finishing cattle diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of substituting modified corn distillers grains with solubles (DGS) or crude soy glycerin (CG) for steam–flaked corn (SFC) in finishing diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial with DGS (0% or 40%) and CG (0% or 10%) replacing dietary SFC in a basal diet. Growth performance and carcass traits were measured on 48 individually fed crossbred yearling cattle (21 steers and 27 heifers; 380 ± 37 kg). Cattle were randomly allotted to 48 Calan gate bunks. After the first 28 days, nine animals were removed from the study for health reasons or observed confirmation of consumption of feed from unassigned Calan gate bunk (n = 39). After the feeding period, cattle were harvested in two groups on day-124 and day-173. No DGS × CG interactions were observed (P > 0.10) for any dependent growth performance or carcass characteristic variable tested. Cattle-fed DGS as 40% of diet dry matter (DM) had greater (P< 0.01) dry matter intake (DMI), while CG inclusion at 10% of diet DM did not affect DMI (P = 0.16). Carcass–adjusted average daily gain (ADG) was not affected by DGS (P = 0.73) or CG (P = 0.28). Decreased (P = 0.03) carcass–adjusted gain-to-feed (G:F) was observed as the main effect of DGS. Greater DMI resulting from feeding DGS as 40% of diet DM appears to have driven the tendency for reduced G:F. Hot carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, 12th rib fat depth, yield grade, and marbling score were not (P> 0.10) influenced by DGS or CG. However, kidney, pelvic, fat (KPH) was increased (P = 0.01) when cattle were fed DGS as 40% of diet DM. Based on the findings presented, it is concluded that CG can substitute up to 10% of SFC in the diet without negatively affecting cattle growth performance or carcass characteristics, regardless of DGS inclusion as 40% of the diet DM.

Effects of different feeds on growth performance and meat quality of hybrid lambs

“…The study by Castro-Perez et al (2014) showed that replacing corn and soybean meal with 45% distiller's grains in the basic diet of lambs tended to increase their daily average weight gain. Larson et al (2023) found that feeding tillers grains to fatten cattle improved dry matter intake. A meta-analysis containing 81 publications found that feeding distributors' grains could significantly increase the final weight of cattles (de Nazaré Santos Torres et al, 2022).…”

Probiotic-Fermented Distillers Grain Alters the Rumen Microbiome, Metabolome, and Enzyme Activity, Enhancing the Immune Status of Finishing Cattle

“…However, the effects of DG on the ADG of livestock are complicated. Reis et al [23] found that feeding with 21% low-fat dry DG increased the ADG of bulls, but Larson et al [24] noted that feeding with 40% DG made no significant difference in the ADG of cattle. Sarturi et al [25] also found that feeding with 40% dry DG even slightly reduced ADG in cattle.…”

NCCC308: Nutrition and Management of Feedlot Cattle to Optimize Performance, Carcass Value, and Environmental Compatibility – Feature Collection - Nutrition and Management of Finishing Cattle

“…Enhance the utilization of carbon from energy feeds to compete in an energy economy and improve national food security ( Acharya et al, 2023 ; Coulson et al, 2023 ; Francis et al, 2023 ; Hamilton et al, 2023 ; Larson et al, 2023a and b ; Tarnonsky et al, 2023a and b ; Troyer et al, 2023 ; Wilson et al, 2023 ; Winders et al, 2023 ).…”