Nutrient Digestibility and Fermentation of Brown Midrib Corn Fed to Growing Beef Steers

Authors

F. Henry Hilscher, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jana L. Gramkow Gramkow, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Hannah C. Wilson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Mitch M. Norman, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
John N. Anderson, Mycogen Seeds
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2018

Citation

2018 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. University of Nebraska Extension MP105. Lincoln, NE.

Comments

© 2017 The Board Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

A digestion study evaluated three corn silage hybrids for growing crossbred steers. The three hybrids were: a standard corn silage hybrid which served as the control, a brown midrib hybrid (bm3), and an experimental bm3 hybrid with a softer endosperm. Both bm3 hybrids had greater organic matter and fiber digestibility compared to the control corn silage. However, no differences were observed between the two bm3 hybrids. Rumen pH was reduced for BM3 and BM3-EXP compared to the control suggesting greater rumen fermentation. In vitro gas production was increased for the bm3 hybrids compared to the control further supporting greater rumen fermentation.