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Title: Effects of distillers grains on feedlot performance of crossbred steers

Author
item Ferrell, Calvin
item Shackelford, Steven
item Varel, Vincent

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science Supplement
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/14/2008
Publication Date: 7/23/2008
Citation: Ferrell, C.L., Shackelford, S.D., Varel, V.H. 2008. Effects of distillers grains on feedlot performance of crossbred steers [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 86 (E-Supplement 2):583.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Objectives were to determine effects of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) on growth rate, feed intake and feed efficiency of finishing steers when fed at 0, 20, 40, or 60% of diet DM. Crossbred, fall-born steers (304) were weaned, moved to the feedlot, and fed a corn silage based diet. Steers were implanted with Synovex-S (April) and with Revalor-S at study initiation (July). Steers were moved to individual feeding facilities, and trained over 4 wk to headgates (Calan-Broadbent®) in pens of 4 or 10 steers. Steers were blocked by sire breed, dam breed, and pretrial BW and assigned to diets. Alfalfa was included in all diets at 10.6% of DM. Control diet contained 82.7% rolled corn, 5.7% soybean meal, and 1.1% supplement. The 20, 40, and 60 WDGS diets contained 68.2, 48.2, and 28.2% corn and 20, 40, and 60% WDGS on DM basis. The WDGS diets contained 1.2% of a second supplement. Monensin (480 mg•hd•d) and thiamin (200 mg•hd•d) were fed in all diets. The CP, P, S, and fat % increased with increased WDGS inclusion in diets. Initial BW (IBW; 402 kg), 28 d, 56 d, 84 d, and final BW (FBW) were recorded. Feed was recorded daily, and orts weekly. Linear and quadratics effects of proportion WDGS were evaluated. The IBW was included as a covariate. Means were compared by t test if P