Comparing SHREDLAGE® and Conventional Silage as a Roughage Component in Steam- Flaked Corn Diets for Finishing Cattle

Authors

Brianna Conroy, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Matt Jaynes, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Robbi Pritchard, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Karla H. Jenkins, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2020

Citation

The Board Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

Comments

2020 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Abstract

A study was conducted at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center feedlot evaluating SHREDLAGE® processed at 26.5 mm and 1 mm gap; by CLAAS, to conventional chopped corn silage at 13 mm with a standard CLAAS processor set to 1 mm, as a roughage source at two inclusions for cattle fed steam- flaked corn based finishing diets. Yearling steers (930 lb) were fed finishing diets containing 9 or 14% (dry matter basis) conventionally chopped corn silage or corn SHREDLAGE® in a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement. Cattle fed rations containing SHREDLAGE had greater final body weight, hot carcass weight, average daily gain, and less dry matter intake, which resulted in better conversions (P < 0.05) than cattle fed conventionally chopped corn silage. Feed efficiency was improved when 9% silage was fed compared to 14% silage. Feeding SHREDLAGE and reducing the amount of roughage fed resulted in improved hot carcass weight, daily gain, and efficiency compared with feeding traditional silage at 14% inclusion. These results suggest shredding silage, resulting in larger particles, can improve performance at lower inclusions compared to traditionally chopped silage.