Replacing Fertilizer Nitrogen with Dried Distillers Grains Supplement to Yearling Steers Grazing Bromegrass Pastures: Daily Gain and Nitrogen Use Efficiency

Authors

• Matthew A. Greenquist, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Walter H. Schacht, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Kyle J. Vander Pol, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Matt K. Luebbe, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
• Kelly Brink, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Andrea K. Schwarz, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Leonard B. Baleseng, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

2009

Comments

Published in 2009 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report (Lincoln, NE: December, 2008). Copyright © 2008 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

In a three-year study, corn-dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) were evaluated as a substitute for forage and nitrogen (N) fertilizer in yearling steers grazing smooth bromegrass in eastern Nebraska. Stocking rate increased with N fertilization and DDGS, and average daily gain (ADG) increased with DDGS. Total gain per acre increased by 53% with N fertilization and 105% with DDGS supplementation. N use efficiency was 139% greater per acre with DDGS supplementation compared to fertilizing with N alone. Feedlot ADG was similar among treatments with steers maintaining their BW advantage through the finishing phase.