Supplementing wet distillers grains mixed with low quality forage to grazing cow calf pairs

Authors

Brandon L. Nuttelman, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
William Griffin, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
T. J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Walter H. Schacht, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Leslie Aaron Stalker, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jacqueline Musgrave, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jerry D. Volesky, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2009

Citation

Proceedings, Western Section, American Society of Animal Science Vol. 60, 2009

Comments

Used by permission

Abstract

Two consecutive summer grazing studies were conducted to quantify the effect of supplementing cows with wet distillers grains (WDGS) mixed with low quality forage on 1) grazed forage intake and 2) cow and calf performance. During exp. 1, twenty-four three year old lactating cows rotationally grazed for 56 d and were assigned to one of three treatments: 1) the recommended stocking rate of 1.48 AUM/ha with no supplementation (CON1), 2) double the recommended stocking rate (2.96 AUM/ha) and supplemented 6.64 kg/hd daily of 45% grass hay and 55% WDGS (DM) to replace 50% of estimated total intake (SUP), and 3) grazing at 2.96 AUM/ha with no supplementation (2X). In exp. 2, forty two-year old lactating cows rotationally grazed the same paddocks as in exp. 1 for 56 d and were assigned to one of four treatments grazing at: 1) recommended stocking rate (1.48 AUM/ha) with no supplementation (CON2), or double the recommended stocking rate and receiving 5.8 kg/hd daily of wheat straw and WDGS mixed at: 2) 70:30 (LOW), 3) 60:40 (MED), or 4) 50:50 (HIGH). Supplemented groups were fed at 50% of estimated total intake. For both studies forage utilization was determined by clipping twenty, 1- m² quadrats pre- and post-grazing. For exp. 1, SUP cows had higher ADG (0.25 kg/d; P < 0.01) than CON1 and 2X (-0.45 and –0.52 kg/d, respectively). Calf daily gain was higher for SUP than for CON1 and 2X (1.07, 0.82, and 0.75 kg/d; P < 0.01). Forage utilization (% standing green) for CON1 was 51.1 and 68.0% less than SUPP and 2X, respectively (P < 0.01). For exp. 2, HIGH cows were the heaviest at the end of the study (P = 0.04). Forage utilization was less for CON2 than for HIGH or MED (34.4, 45.9, and 44.3%, respectively; P < 0.02), but was similar for CON and LOW (38.4%; P = 0.18). Grazing cows supplemented wheat straw and 45% or greater WDGS gained more weight. Grazing intake was reduced the most when wheat straw was 70% of the mix.