Impact of Varying Inclusion of Modified Distillers Grains Plus Solubles Compared to Constant Inclusion on Feedlot Cattle Performance and Carcass Characteristics

Authors

Debora G. Sousa, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Rebecca McDermott, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Mitch M. Norman, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
J. C. MacDonald, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Rick A. Stock, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2024

Citation

2024 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

UNL Beef, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of varying inclusion of modified distillers grains plus solubles on a weekly basis with two inclusions of grass hay on the performance of finishing steers. no interaction was observed between modified distillers grains plus solubles inclusion (0%, 25% constant, or 25% varying from 15-35%) and hay inclusion (6% or 12%). When evaluating the effect of hay inclusion on performance, cattle fed 6% grass hay had less dry matter intake than those fed 12% grass hay, and there was a tendency for gains to be greater for cattle fed 6% grass hay. Adding 25% modified distillers grains plus solubles to the diet improved gain and feed conversion. Interestingly, varying modified distillers grains plus solubles inclusion from 15 to 35% (averaged 25% over the whole feeding period) did not impact average daily gain or feed conversions if the variations were weekly and the average inclusions was 25% during the feeding period. As a result, adding extra roughage was unnecessary.