Optimizing use of distillers grains in finishing diets containing steam-flaked corn

doi:10.2527/jas.2008-1358

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RUMINANT NUTRITION

Optimizing use of distillers grains in finishing diets containing steam-flaked corn¹

B. E. Depenbusch^*, E. R. Loe^*, J. J. Sindt^*, N. A. Cole, J. J. Higgins and J. S. Drouillard^*^,2

^* Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506; and USDA-ARS Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, TX 79012; and Department of Statistics, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506

² Corresponding author: jdrouill{at}ksu.edu

Two hundred ninety-nine crossbred yearling steers (363 ±15 kg initial BW) were fed for an average of 114 d in a finishingstudy comparing 7 diets in which steam-flaked corn was usedas the principal energy source. Forty-nine pens were used inthis study with 7 BW blocks, 7 pens per treatment, and 5 to7 steers per pen. A control diet with no distillers grains withsolubles (DGS) was compared with 6 diets containing 15% DGS(DM basis). The diets contained wet sorghum DGS with 0 or 6%alfalfa hay, dried sorghum DGS with 0 or 6% alfalfa hay, wetcorn DGS with 6% alfalfa hay, or dried corn DGS with 6% alfalfahay. Apparent total tract digestibilities were calculated bytotal collection of fecal material from the concrete-surfacedpens over a 72-h period. Dry matter intake, ADG, G:F, and carcasscharacteristics were similar (P $≥$ 0.18) for steers fed finishingdiets with or without 15% DGS. However, apparent total tractdigestibilities of DM and OM were 2.8% less (P $≤$ 0.03) for finishingdiets containing 15% DGS (DM basis). Dry matter intake, ADG,G:F, apparent total tract digestibility, and carcass characteristicswere not different (P $≥$ 0.09) for steers fed finishing dietscontaining sorghum or corn DGS. Dry matter intake, ADG, G:F,apparent total tract digestibility, and carcass characteristicsalso were not different (P $≥$ 0.10) for steers fed finishing dietscontaining wet or dried DGS. Steers fed sorghum DGS with 6%hay consumed more DM (P < 0.01) and gained more BW (P <0.01) than steers fed diets without hay, but G:F were not different(P > 0.78). Sorghum DGS diets containing alfalfa hay were4% less (P = 0.01) digestible than sorghum DGS diets containingno hay. Carcasses of steers fed sorghum DGS diets without haywere lighter, leaner, and had decreased USDA yield grades (P= 0.01) compared with steers fed sorghum DGS diets containinghay. Feeding moderate levels (i.e., 15%, DM basis) of DGS resultedin growth performance and carcass characteristics similar tothose of cattle fed no DGS. In addition, sorghum- and corn-basedDGS had similar feeding values, and wet ( ${approx}$ 31% DM) and dried ( ${approx}$ 91%DM) DGS also had similar feeding values. Complete removal ofalfalfa hay in diets containing DGS improved diet digestibilitybut reduced growth performance and carcass finish.