Effects of feeding dry or modified wet distillers grains with solubles with or without supplemental calcium oxide on ruminal metabolism and microbial enzymatic activity of beef cattle1

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the interaction of feeding dry (DDGS) or modified wet (MDGS) distillers grains with solubles (DGS) with or without supplemental CaO on in situ DM and NDF disappearance; ruminal pH, VFA, and methane concentration; and cellulase and xylanase activity. Fistulated steers (n = 8; average initial BW = 540 ± 250 kg) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial, and steers were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: 1) 50% DDGS with 0% CaO, 2) 48.8% DDGS supplemented with 1.2% CaO, 3) 50% MDGS with 0% CaO, or 4) 48.8% MDGS supplemented with 1.2% CaO (DM basis). The remainder of the diet was husklage, dry-rolled corn, and vitamin and mineral supplement. There were no interactions (P ≥ 0.12) of DGS type and CaO addition on any parameters measured. Steers fed DDGS had a 17% increase (P < 0.01) in DMI compared to steers fed MDGS; however, CaO supplementation reduced (P = 0.03) DMI by 12%, regardless of DGS type. As expected, addition of CaO increased the pH of the diet by 1.82 pH units. This caused a time by CaO interaction (P = 0.05) for ruminal pH. Regardless of DGS type, steers supplemented with CaO tended to have increased (P = 0.09) ruminal pH at 1.5 h and had increased (P = 0.03) ruminal pH at 3 h postfeeding; however, ruminal pH did not differ (P ≥ 0.24) for the remainder of the day. There was no difference (P = 0.46) in ruminal cellulase activity when comparing type of DGS fed. However, there was a time by CaO interaction (P < 0.01); cattle fed 1.2% CaO diets had 28% greater ruminal cellulase activity only at 0 h postfeeding when compared to cattle fed 0% CaO. Furthermore, feeding supplemental CaO increased (P = 0.04) acetate to propionate ratio (A:P) regardless of type of DGS fed. Increased initial ruminal pH and cellulase activity from supplemental CaO did not increase (P = 0.48) in situ NDF disappearance. No differences (P ≥ 0.48) in ruminal methane concentration were found when comparing DGS type or supplemental CaO. In conclusion, the type of DGS fed had little effect on ruminal metabolism. Even though CaO increased ruminal pH and cellulase activity at some times postfeeding, it was not enough to affect in situ fiber disappearance.

Kimchi cabbage (Brassica rapa L.) by-products treated with calcium oxide and alkaline hydrogen peroxide as feed ingredient for Holstein steers

“…Similarly, Boukila et al [ 27 ] reported that feeding lambs with high dietary Ca(OH) 2 appears to delay a drop in ruminal pH. In addition, Schroeder et al [ 28 ] stated that diets containing supplementary CaO had a greater pH than those that did not apply any additive. This is due to the fact that CaO and AHP are alkaline agents [ 27 ].…”

“…Nuñez et al [ 18 ] stated that alkalizers can neutralize acidity as well as increase the pH. The greater pH of feed entering the gut may have buffered initial ruminal pH in cow supplied with supplementary CaO [ 28 ]. The amount of gas generated in all treatment groups increased with prolonged incubation time, and was greater ( p < 0.05) in the CON, TC, and TCC groups with 220.33 mL, 217.00 mL, and 212.33 mL, respectively, during 24 h incubation, than in TCCA.…”

“…In contrast, propionate was greater ( p < 0.05) in CON and TC at 6 h incubation with 15.22 mM and 14.45 mM, respectively, than TCC (13.18 mM) and TCCA (13.04 mM). Schroeder et al [ 28 ] reported that ruminal propionate concentration was decreased while acetate concentration was increased when CaO was added to the diet due to the improvement in forage fiber disappearance. On the other hand, butyrate was greater ( p < 0.05) in TCC at 12 and 24 h of incubation with 17.26 mM and 23.54 mM, respectively, than the other treatments.…”

Effect of calcium oxide and soybean hull addition to feedlot diets containing dried distillers grains and corn stover on steer performance, carcass characteristics, and digestibility

“…It is possible that changes in pH and VFA production in cattle fed alkali may change feeding pattern. Schroeder et al (2014b) reported an increase in ruminal pH at 3 h postfeeding with 1.2% CaO addition to a 48.8% dried DGS ration and observed that meal sizes decreased from 0 to 3 h postfeeding, with no increase in meal frequency ( Schroeder et al, 2014a ).…”

Effect of enzyme and probiotic supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, and meat quality of Simmental steers

“…In the cattle industry, cellulase has been confirmed to be an effective feed additive that can improve the digestibility of crude fiber (Schroeder et al, 2014;Zhu et al, 2018). Early studies indicated that dietary cellulase supplementation was beneficial for nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation (He et al, 2015), and meat yield (Maeda et al, 2019).…”