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ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Livestock Nutrient Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #238527
Title: Effects of ruminally degradable N in diets containing wet corn distiller's grains and steam-flaked corn on feedlot cattle performance and carcass characteristics

Author
item PONCE, CHRISTIAN - West Texas A & M University
item BROWN, MIKE - West Texas A & M University
item Cole, Noel
item MAXWELL, CHARLES - West Texas A & M University
item SILVA, JULIO - West Texas A & M University

Submitted to: Proceeding of Plains Nutrition Council Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/25/2009
Publication Date: 4/9/2009
Citation: Ponce, C.H., Brown, M.S., Cole, N.A., Maxwell, C.L., Silva, J.C. 2009. Effects of ruminally degradable N in diets containing wet corn distiller's grains and steam-flaked corn on feedlot cattle performance and carcass characteristics [abstract]. 2009 Plains Nutrition Council Spring Conference, April 9-10, 2009, San Antonio, Texas. Texas AgriLife Research & Extension Pub. No. AREC 09-18, p. 101.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Assessment of degradable nitrogen (N) needs in diets containing wet corn distiller's grains with solubles (WCDGS) is needed to aid the cattle feeding industry in managing feed costs and potential environmental issues. Yearling steers (n = 525; initial weight = 822 +/- 28 lb) were housed in 56 pens (9 to 10 steers/pen) and received treatments in a 2 x 3 + 1 factorial. Factors included WCDGS (15 or 30% of dry matter (DM)) and non-protein N (NPN; 0, 1.5, or 3.0% of DM) from urea. The control diet without WCDGS contained 3.0% NPN (1.06% urea) and cottonseed meal. Steers were fed twice daily for 129 d and WCDGS was obtained three times/week from a local plant. Final shrunk BW was less (P < 0.02) for 30% WCDGS than for the control or 15% WCDGS. Overall dry matter intake (DMI) was not different (P > 0.31) between the control diet and 15 or 30% WCDGS, but overall DMI increased linearly (P = 0.04) as NPN increased. Overall, ADG and gain efficiency were affected by both WCDGS and NPN (interaction, P < 0.12). Overall ADG for steers fed 15% WCDGS was greater for 1.5 and 3.0% NPN than for 0% NPN (P < 0.07, quadratic); however, ADG was not influenced by NPN for 30% WCDGS. Overall ADG was not different between the control and 15% WCDGS, but ADG was lower (P < 0.02) for 30% than for 15% WCDGS. Overall gain efficiency among steers fed 15% WCDGS was greatest for 1.5% NPN and least for those fed 0% (P < 0.07, quadratic), whereas gain efficiency decreased linearly (P < 0.09) as NPN increased in 30% WCDGS diets. No interactions between WCDGS and NPN were evident for carcass traits. Dressing percent was greater (P < 0.01) for the control diet than for 15% or 30% WCDGS (65.1, 64.2, and 63.9% for control, 15% WCDGS, and 30% WCDGS, respectively). Hot carcass weight was not different between the control and 15% WCDGS (P = 0.44), whereas carcass weight was less for 30% WCDGS than for 15% WCDGS (P < 0.01). Other carcass measurements were not different among treatments. Data suggest that optimum performance occurs between 1.5 and 3.0% NPN when diets contain 15% WCDGS, and with 1.5% NPN or less when diets contain 30% WCDGS.