Evaluation of Feedlot and Carcass Performance of Steers Fed Different Levels of E-Corn, a Potential New Feed Product from Ethanol Plants

Authors

Corineah M. Godsey, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Matt K. Luebbe, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Joshua R. Benton, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Carlos Ibanez, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Pablo Guiroy, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Matthew A. Greenquist, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jeff Kazin, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Comments

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

Abstract

A pre-process fractionation produces a feed product called E-corn, which is low in fat and contains heat-treated starch. E-corn replaced dry rolled corn at 0, 20, 40, or 60% (DM basis) in finishing diets containing either 30% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) or 30% wet corn gluten feed (WCGF). E-corn level x byproduct type interactions were not observed. Dry matter intake increased quadratically to E-corn inclusion level (P = 0.04), while F:G responded cubically with 20% and 60% E-corn inclusion having the lowest F:G (P = 0.02). However, when E-corn level increased from 0 to 60% of diet DM, linear decreases in marbling, fat depth, and calculated yield grade were observed (P < 0.01). Steers fed WDGS had lower DMI (P < 0.01) and F:G (P = 0.02) compared to steers fed WCGF. It appears that optimal inclusion of E-corn is 20% of diet DM.