Utilization of dried distillers grains for developing beef heifers

¹ Dept. of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583; University of Nebraska West Central Research & Extension Center, North Platte, NE 69101
² Dept. of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: rfunston2{at}unl.edu.

	Abstract

A 2-yr study was conducted at 2 locations to determine if supplementing beef heifers with dried distillers grains (DDG) as an energy source affected growth or reproduction. Spring-born crossbred heifers (n = 316) were blocked by age or sire and age and assigned randomly to DDG or control (dried corn gluten feed, whole corn germ, urea) supplement. Heifers received prairie hay in amounts sufficient for ad libitum intake and 0.59% BW DDG or 0.78% BW control (DM basis). Supplements were formulated to be isocaloric but protein degradability differed. Supplemental undegradable intake protein (UIP) intake from DDG averaged 267 g/animal daily and reached 318 g/animal daily, control supplemental UIP intake averaged 90 g/animal daily and peaked at 107 g/animal daily. Initial pubertal status was determined by 2 blood samples collected 10 d apart, monthly BW were collected from Nov. through Jan., then bi-weekly BW and blood samples were collected from Feb. until May yearly. Heifers were synchronized with two injections of PGF₂ 14 d apart; estrus was detected and heifers were artificially inseminated for 5 d and placed with bulls 10 d later. Conception and pregnancy rates were determined via transrectal ultrasonography. Initial age, BW, and BCS did not differ (P > 0.92) for control and DDG heifers. Final BW, ADG, and final BCS were not affected (P > 0.31) by supplementation. Estimated age and BW at puberty did not differ (P > 0.23) between treatments, and proportions of heifers pubertal did not differ at initiation of the experiment (P > 0.82), beginning of 14-d sampling intervals, or before synchronization. Estrus synchronization rate (75.9%), time of estrus, and overall pregnancy rate (89.5%) were not affected (P > 0.14) by treatment. However, a greater proportion (P = 0.008) of DDG than control heifers conceived to AI (75.0% vs. 52.9%), resulting in greater (P = 0.07) AI pregnancy rates for DDG heifers (57.0% vs. 40.1%). Pregnancy diagnosis BW or BCS did not differ (P > 0.52) for DDG and control heifers. Supplementing beef heifers with DDG during development did not affect age at puberty, but improved AI conception and pregnancy rates compared to an isocaloric control supplement.

Key Words: beef cattle, dried distillers grains, heifer development, puberty, reproduction, undegradable intake protein

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