Animal Science, Department of
Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports
Date of this Version
2011
Abstract
Two 39-day metabolism trials were conducted using a combination of modified distillers grains and wet corn gluten feed (Synergy, ADM) to adapt beef cattle to finishing diets (SYNERGY). During adaptation, DMI expressed as % of BW tended to be greater for steers on traditional grain adaptation with forage (CON) compared to SYNERGY during the first period (steps 1), but was not different in subsequent adaptation diets (steps 2, 3, and 4). Average ruminal pH was lower for SYNERGY on steps 1 and 2 compared to CON in Experiment 1 with no difference observed in Experiment 2. No difference in ruminal pH was observedbetween treatments for steps 3 and 4. Both adaptation methods resulted in safe ruminal pH and H2S concentrations (<36μmol/L gas). Significant difference was observed for DM digestibility (DMD) between treatments during step 1 with higher values for the SYNERGY treatment.
Comments
Published in 2011 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Published by the Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Copyright © 2011 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.