Influence of dry-rolled corn processing and increasing dried corn distillers grains plus solubles inclusion for finishing cattle on growth performance and feeding behavior.
Sixty-four yearling steers (345 ± 4.2 kg BW) were used to study the effects of degree of dry-rolled corn processing and corn dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) inclusion on feeding and ruminating behavior, G:F, and carcass characteristics. Steers were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 experimental treatments (n = 16 per treatment): 1) coarse-rolled (2.68 mm) corn and 20% DDGS, 2) coarse-rolled corn and 40% DDGS, 3) fine-rolled (1.46 mm) corn and 20% DDGS, and 4) fine-rolled corn and 40% DDGS. Final BW and ADG were not affected by corn processing or DDGS. Dry matter intake (kg/d and % of BW) decreased (P < 0.001) and G:F increased (P < 0.001) with increasing inclusion of DDGS. Meal number increased (P ≤ 0.05) and meal size decreased (P < 0.001) with finer dry-roll corn processing and with increasing inclusion of DDGS. Drinking time decreased (P = 0.03) with finer dry-rolled corn processing and tended to increase (P = 0.06) with increased inclusion of DDGS. Rumination time while standing decreased (P = 0.03) with increased inclusion of DDGS. Increasing inclusion of DDGS from 20 to 40% decreased intake, increased G:F, and altered feeding behavior of finishing steers consuming a 90% concentrate diet without affecting carcass quality. Increasing the degree of dry-roll corn processing did not impact growth performance and did not interact with increasing inclusion of DDGS in finishing diets.
Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58108-6050 kendall.swanson@ndsu.edu.
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Swanson
Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58108-6050.
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Islas
Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58108-6050.
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Carlson
Merck Animal Health, São Paulo, 04794-000 Brazil.
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Goulart
Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58108-6050.
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Gilbery
Department of Animal Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo 58108-6050.
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Bauer
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry*
corn processing; dried distillers grains; feeding behavior; finishing cattle; growth performance