Carcass Gain, Efficiency, and Profitability of Steers at Extended Days on Feed

Steers were individually fed for 22 and 44 days longer than the industry average marketing point of 0.5” backfat to determine carcass- based gain, efficiency, and deposition changes throughout the feeding period (142, 163, and 184 days on feed). Premiums and discounts for yield grade, quality grade, and overweight carcasses were applied to determine profitability. Feeding steers for 22 and 44 days longer increased carcass weight, quality grade, and yield grade 4 and 5s. Steers fed 44 days longer had increased total revenue and profit per head despite a decrease in live gain and efficiency

Effects of Corn Processing Method and Crude Protein Level with the Inclusion of Wet Corn Gluten Feed on Finishing Steer Performance

Three hundred twenty crossbred steer calves were used to evaluate corn processing method and crude protein level in finishing diets that included wet corn gluten feed. There was no response due to crude protein level (14 vs 15%) observed in this trial. As corn processing method became more intensive (fine-grinding, high-moisture ensiling, and steam-flaking corn) compared to dry-rolling, daily intake was reduced. Daily gain was similar across corn processing methods. Feed efficiency and cost of gain improved as corn processing method intensity increased

Wet Corn Gluten Feed Levels for Steam-flaked Corn Based Finishing Diets

A finishing trial was conducted to evaluate level of wet corn gluten feed in steam-flaked corn based finishing diets. Feed efficiency and daily gain were similar among all levels (10, 20, 25, 30, and 35%, DM basis) of inclusion of Sweet Bran® wet corn gluten feed evaluated in this trial. These data indicate wet corn gluten feed is similar in energy content to steam-flaked corn based on animal performance

Comparing March and May Calving Systems in the Nebraska Sandhills

Three production years for March and May calving, Red Angus- based cows and their off spring from the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory (GSL), Whitman, NE, were evaluated. Steer progeny were evaluated through harvest and carcass data collected. Calf birth body weight (BW) and breeding BW were greater for May calves vs. March; however, adjusted weaning BW was greater for March calves. Pregnancy rates, weaning rates, calving interval, calving difficulty, and calf vigor were similar between calving systems. Udder score was greater for March cows. Compared with March calf- fed steers, May calf- fed steers had greater hot carcass weight (HCW), longissimus muscle area (LMA), marbling, and backfat. May yearlings had greater HCW, LMA, marbling, and backfat compared with March calf- feds. In the Sandhills, a May calving system can increase production while reducing total herd inputs when compared to a March calving system

Feeding Corn Milling Co-products to Forage Fed Cattle, 1st edition

Introduction Beef calves from weaning until they enter feedlots, developing heifers, and beef cows are fed primarily forage diets. Especially in the winter, forages are low in protein and phosphorus and need to be supplemented. Corn milling co-products are excellent sources of both protein and phosphorus and fi t nicely into winter supplementation programs. Corn milling co-products are also an excellent source of energy and are particularly well suited to forage based diets. Two primary types of milling processes currently exist, resulting in quite diff erent feed products. The dry milling process produces distillers grains plus solubles (DGS), and the wet milling process produces corn gluten feed (CGF). These feeds can be marketed as wet feeds or they can be dried and marketed as either dry corn gluten feed (DCGF) or dry distillers grains (DDG) with or without solubles. For the purposes of this publication, wet corn gluten feed (WCGF), wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS), DCGF, and dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) will be discussed. The term DGS will be used for undiff erentiated discussion about WDGS and DDGS. The majority of ethanol plant expansions are dry milling plants that produce DGS; however, an increase in supply of WDGS is also expected. Therefore, these feeds may be very attractive for beef producers to use as feed sources. This publication will briefl y review the milling process, then discuss nutrient content and feeding value, followed by feeding strategies. Finally, storage methods will be outlined

Living Act 31: Perspectives From Bayfield, Wisconsin

In this article, we discuss the teaching of Indigenous land sovereignty, history, and culture, commonly referred to as Act 31, in the School District of Bayfield in Bayfield, Wisconsin. Since the legislative mandate in 1991, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has strongly recommended that Wisconsin students receive instruction related to Act 31 twice in elementary school and once in high school. However, because Act 31 is not strictly enforced, there is uneven implementation throughout the state. At the School District of Bayfield, teaching Act 31 is mainstreamed in the curriculum. Here, five teachers offer their vignette, or story, on infusing Act 31 into their instruction. This scholarship emerged from a collaboration between the School District of Bayfield and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s School of Education

Interaction of Sweet Bran Inclusion and Corn Processing Method in Beef Finishing Diets on Digestibility

Six ruminally and duodenally fistulated steers were utilized in a 6 × 6 Latin square design to evaluate the interaction of corn processing method and Sweet Bran inclusion in finishing diets on total tract digestibility and rumen fermentation characteristics. Treatments were designed as a 2 × 3 factorial, with one factor as corn processing method (steam-flaked corn or a blend of high-moisture and dry-rolled corn) and the second factor as Sweet Bran inclusion at 0, 20, or 40% of diet dry matter. Cattle fed steam-flaked corn diets had greater starch digestibility while cattle fed high-moisture/ dry-rolled corn diets had greater neutral detergent fiber digestibility. As Sweet Bran concentration increased in the diet, cattle fed both steam-flaked corn and high-moisture/ dry-rolled corn diets had greater dry matter intakes and as a result, greater intakes of digestible energy. Increased energy intake may contribute to improvements in gain and efficiency when feeding Sweet Bran observed in a corresponding finishing trial

Effects of Individual Sweet Bran Components in Beef Finishing Diets on Nutrient Digestion

Sweet Bran is a branded wet corn gluten feed recognized for improving rumen health, energy intake, and gains in finishing cattle. Eight ruminally cannulated steers were utilized in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin Square design to evaluate the effect of individual Sweet Bran components on total tract digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters. Three Sweet Bran components (solvent extracted germ meal, corn bran, and mixed steep) were included at 40% of diet dry matter in their respective treatment, with a steam-flaked corn control diet. Total tract dry matter and organic matter digestibility were least for bran, intermediate for solvent extracted germ meanl, and greatest for steep and control diets. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was least for control and intermediate for bran and steep with a tendency for solvent extracted germ meal to have the greatest fiber digestibility. Overall, steep and solvent extracted germ meal have similar energy densities as the steam-flaked corn control, and bran and solvent extracted germ meal are highly digestible fiber sources. The nutrient and physical characteristics of steep, solvent extracted germ meal, and bran are complementary and may contribute to the greater energy value of Sweet Bran compared to dry-rolled corn