Effects of Protein Supplementation in Corn Silage Growing Diets Harvested at 37 or 43% DM on Cattle Growth

Authors

F. Henry Hilscher, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Robert G. Bondurant, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jana L. Harding Harding, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

2016 Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Comments

© The Board Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

Abstract

A growing study evaluated the effects of harvesting drier corn silage and response to rumen undegradable protein (RUP) supplementation. Corn silage was harvested at 37 or 43% DM from the same fields and protein supplement (high in RUP) was provided at 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 or 10.0% of diet DM. Ending BW and ADG were decreased, while F:G was increased, when steers were fed 43% DM silage compared to 37% DM silage (88% silage inclusion). Increasing supplemental RUP in the diet increased ending BW, DMI, and ADG linearly, and decreased F:G linearly. Drier silage had less energy for growing steers while supplemental RUP improved gain and efficiency in silage growing diets.