Relationship between Dietary Total Digestible Nutrients and Digestible Organic Matter in Beef Cattle Finishing and Growing Diets With or Without Distillers Grains

Authors

Hannah C. Hamilton, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jana L. Gramkow, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Jim C. MacDonald Donald, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Andrea K. Watson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2017

Citation

2017 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. University of Nebraska Extension MP104. Lincoln, NE.

Comments

© 2016 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

The relationship between organic matter digestibility and total digestible nutrients is unestablished for diets containing distillers grains. Three cattle digestion studies were used to evaluate the relationship between total digestible nutrients and digestible organic matter. Results suggest digestible organic matter is consistent relative to total digestible nutrients content for traditional, corn based diets. In finishing and growing diets containing distillers grains additional digestible energy supplied by distillers grains is not accounted for when evaluating only digestible organic matter. Measuring digestible energy content of diets used in digestion trials is essential.