Effects of feeding field peas in combination with distillers grains plus solubles in finishing and growing diets on cattle performance and carcass characteristics

Authors

A. C. Pesta, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
A. H. Titlow, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
J. A. Hansen, Panhandle Research and Extension Center, University of NebraskaFollow
A. L. Berger, Panhandle Research and Extension Center, University of NebraskaFollow
S. A. Furman, Panhandle Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska
Matt K. Luebbe, Panhandle Research and Extension Center, University of NebraskaFollow
G. E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
K. H. Jenkins, Panhandle Research and Extension Center, University of NebraskaFollow

Date of this Version

2012

Citation

The Professional Animal Scientist 28 ( 2012 ):534–540

Comments

Copyright © 2012 American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists. Used by permission.

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to evaluate field peas and wet or dry corn distillers grains with solubles (WDGS and DDGS, respectively) in finishing and growing diets. In Exp. 1, British crossbred steers (n = 352, initial BW 356 ± 27 kg) were used in a randomized block design with factors being 0 or 20% field peas and 0 or 30% WDGS in dry-rolled corn (DRC) based finishing diets (DM basis). There was an interaction (P < 0.01) for DMI and G:F. Feeding WDGS increased ADG (P < 0.01), whereas peas had no effect on ADG (P = 0.33). Including WDGS increased G:F in diets without peas (P < 0.01), but had no impact (P = 0.12) in diets containing peas. Peas increased G:F (P = 0.04) in diets without WDGS, but decreased G:F (P = 0.03) with WDGS. Feeding WDGS increased HCW (P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, Continental crossbred heifers (yr. 1; n = 108, initial BW 338 ± 14 kg) and British crossbred steers (yr. 2; n = 90, initial BW 321 ± 10 kg) were assigned randomly to 1 of 9 pastures. Treatments were supplementation with loose DDGS meal on the ground (GROUND), in a bunk (BUNK) or a 25% field peas, 75% DDGS cube on the ground (CUBE) at equal CP. Final BW and ADG were less (P < 0.01) for GROUND than for CUBE and BUNK, which were similar. These data indicate up to 50% DRC could be replaced by peas and WDGS, and peas are an acceptable binder for DDGS range cubes.