Evaluating Performance of Cattle Fed Steam-Flaked Corn Based Finishing Diets fed Increasing Inclusions of Wet or Modified Distillers Grains

Authors

Braden C. Troyer, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Levi J. McPhillips, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Mitchell M. Norman, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2022

Citation

2022 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

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

Abstract

A finishing trial using 560 calf-fed steers was conducted to evaluate the effect of distillers type and inclusion on finishing cattle performance and carcass characteristics in steam-flaked corn based diets. Treatments were applied in a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial arrangement, with the first factor being distillers type (modified distillers grains plus solubles or wet distillers grains plus solubles) and the second factor being distillers grains inclusion of 10%, 20%, or 30%, as well as a control diet containing no distillers. There was an interaction between inclusion and type of distillers for feed conversion. A linear improvement in feed conversion was observed as wet distillers inclusion increased but no change in feed conversion was observed with increasing modified distillers inclusion. Cattle fed distillers grains had greater intake, gain, and carcass weights. Cattle fed modified distillers had greater intake but poorer feed conversion compared to cattle fed wet distillers. Feeding wet distillers in steam-flaked corn-based finishing diets improved gain and feed conversion while feeding modified distillers increased gain but not feed efficiency.