Evaluation of Brown Midrib Corn Silage for Growing and Backgrounding Beef Steers

Authors

F. Henry Hilscher, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Curtis J. Bittner, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
John N. Anderson Anderson, Mycogen Seeds
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2018

Citation

2018 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. University of Nebraska Extension MP105. Lincoln, NE.

Comments

© 2017 The Board Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

A growing study evaluated three corn silage hybrids for growing crossbred steers. The three hybrids were: a standard corn silage hybrid which served as the control, a brown midrib hybrid, and an experimental brown mid rib hybrid with a softer endosperm. Intake, ADG, and ending BW were greater for steers fed either brown mid rib silage compared to control, but not different between the brown mid rib or experimental brown mid rib silage. While brown mid rib hybrids had greater DMI and ADG, there was no difference in F:G between all three treatments. Feeding brown mid rib hybrids as corn silage at 80% of the diet DM likely improved ruminal digestion, which allowed for greater DMI and ADG but without improving F:G.