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Efficacy of Broiler Litter Silage for Beef Steers^{1 ,2,}

Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631

Abstract

Eighty steers, representing two biological types, were used in a randomized block design to study the efficacy of broiler litter silage as a feed source. Broiler litter was ensiled separately from other feed ingredients in an oxygen-limiting structure at 36% moisture. Initially, all rations contained (dry matter basis) 30% concentrate plus (1) 70% corn silage (CS); (2) 60% CS and 10% broiler litter silage (BLS); (3) 40% CS and 30% BLS; (4) 20% CS and 50% BLS; (5) 70% BLS. Due to a low level of feed consumption and weight loss, the diet of steers receiving 70% BLS was changed after 35 days on test. For the entire study, steers in treatment 5 consumed 44% BLS and 56% corn (dry matter basis). Average daily gains were highest for steers receiving 30% BLS. Steers receiving 44% BLS and 56% corn were most efficient in converting feed to gain. Plasma and ruminal fluid metabolites were within normal physiological ranges. BLS feeding did not have a deleterious effect on beef carcass characteristics or organoleptic evaluation. Crossbred steers were more efficient in converting feed to gain than straightbred steers. Carcass grade, yield, marbling, backfat, percent kidney fat, and organoleptic evaluations for tenderness, flavor intensity and connective tissue were higher for straightbred than for crossbred steers. Least-cost estimates of feed costs per kilogram of gain were reduced by as much as 23% for a 300 kg steer receiving an upper limit of 30% of dietary dry matter from BLS. At this weight level, the least-cost program selected 70% CS and 30% BLS.

¹ Technical Contribution No. 1477. Published with the approval of the Director, South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station.

² The authors express appreciation to Drs. W. E. Johnston and J. T. Gillingham for technical assistance.

³ Department of Animal Science.

⁴ Department of Agricultural Economics.

⁵ Department of Dairy Science.