Effect of Increasing Dietary Corn Silage on Performance, Digestibility and Nitrogen Mass Balance in the Feedlot

Authors

Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Todd Milton, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ryan Mass, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

January 2000

Comments

Published in Nebraska Beef Cattle Report 2000, published by Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Abstract

Three dietary corn silage levels (15, 30, and 45% of diet DM) were evaluated in corn finishing diets fed to calves through the winter/spring and yearlings during the summer to determine effects on performance and nitrogen mass balance in feedlot. Yearling gains decreased quadratically with increasing corn silage; however, N and OM removed in manure was greatest for the 30% silage treatment. Calf gains decreased linearly as silage increased; however, N and OM removed in manure was greatest for the 45% silage treatment. Increasing dietary corn silage resulted in decreased gains but did influence manure N with no effect on N volatilization.