Comparison of Corn Silage and Earlage in Finishing Diets when fed as a Roughage on a Neutral Detergent Fiber Basis

Authors

Garrett N. Lemon, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Rebecca McDermott, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Alfredo DiCostanzo, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Pablo L. Loza, 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

The finishing trial was conducted to evaluate the ability of earlage to serve as a roughage source compared to corn silage when both sources were balanced on an NDF basis. Steers were fed in a randomized block design with a 2x2 treatment arrangement, with one factor being NDF source (corn silage or earlage) and the other factor being inclusion ("normal" amount of roughage provided by corn silage or earlage as the only grain source and roughage source). No significant interactions were observed between roughage source and inclusion level on steer performance. Steers fed corn silage and grain had greater intakes and gains than steers fed earlage. Steers fed less NDF had more efficient feed conversion, and greater gain with heavier hot carcass weights.