Evaluating Finishing Performance of Cattle Fed High- Moisture Corn and Steam- Flaked Corn Blends with Modified Distillers Grains

Authors

Braden C. Troyer, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Zac C. Carlson
Levi McPhillips, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Andrea K. Watson, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow
J. C. MacDonald, West Texas A&M UniversityFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2021

Citation

Published in 2021 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, University of Nebraska Extension Publication MP110

Comments

Copyright © 2020 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the impacts of feeding different inclusions of high- moisture corn or steam- flaked corn in diets with 20% modified distillers grains plus solubles. Additionally, this study was designed to quantify any associative effects when high- moisture and steam- flaked corn are blended together with modified distillers grains plus solubles. Cross-bred yearling steers (n=90; BW=777 ± 7.9 lb) were individually fed using a Calan Gate system for 168 days. Animals received one of five finishing diets containing 100% high moisture corn, one of three blends of high moisture steam- flaked, or 100% steam- flaked corn to determine the optimum inclusion of the corn types with distillers grains. There was no difference in dry matter intake, but final body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion all linearly increased as steam- flaked corn inclusion increased. In conclusion, no associative effects were observed and feeding steam- flaked corn with 20% modified distillers resulted in the greatest performance.