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Wheat Versus Corn in All-Concentrate Cattle Rations

U. S. Department of Agriculture

Abstract

Feedlot, ruminal and carcass data were obtained from 40 steers fed all-concentrate rations containing 90% soft, red, winter wheat, or 90% corn or 60:30 combinations of each grain. Steers fed the 60 and 90% corn rations gained significantly faster (1.4 kg. daily) than steers fed the 60 and 90% wheat rations (1.1 kg. daily). Performance was similar for all groups during the first 70 days, but the steers consumed less of the high-wheat rations the last 28 days of the trial. Steers fed the 60 and 90% wheat rations had significantly greater ruminal concentrations of VFA and ammonia but significantly lower ruminal pH values. Carcass characteristics were not significantly affected by treatment. Condemned abscessed livers were more prevalent from steers in wheat-fed lots.

Detailed ruminal and feeding behavior data were obtained from identical twin steers fed the 90% corn and 90% wheat rations. Results from biweekly ruminal samples indicated that significant differences for molar percents and concentrations of VFA were associated with weeks and interactions between weeks and rations. There were no apparent behavioral differences between rations in the distribution or total amount of time spent each day eating. About 1.5 hr. each day was spent eating under ad libitumconditions.

¹ Animal Husbandry Research Division, ARS, Beltsville, Maryland.

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