Ground vs. Unground Ammoniated Oat Hulls for Growing Calves

One hundred forty-four steer calves were fed growing diets that contained either 1) 50% ground alfalfa hay (ALF), 2) 25% ground alfalfa hay and 25% ground, ammoniated oat hulls (ALF/GOH), 3) 50% ground, ammoniated oat hulls (GOH) or 4) 50% unground, ammoniated oat hulls (UGOH). Oat hulls were treated with ammonia at 3.3% by weight and enough water to raise the moisture content to approximately 20%. They were allowed to react for 32 days prior to feeding. Daily gains were greater for calves consuming the ammoniated oat hull diets, regardless of form (P\u3c.10). Daily gain differences occurred in spite of the fact that dry matter intake was lower for GOH-fed calves than for the others (P\u3c.10). As a result, feed efficiency was better for the GOH diet than ALF and ALFIGOH (P\u3c.10) but did not differ from UGOH (P\u3e.10). Ammoniated oat hulls, whether ground or unground, are a viable substitute for more conventional roughages in feedlot growing diets

Effect of a Yeast Culture Product (Yea-Sacc) on Feedlot Performance of Growing Calves Limit-Fed a High Concentrate Diet

Eighty weaned steer calves (initial weight 535 Ib) were blocked by weight, allotted within block to 8 pens and limit-fed a high concentrate diet without (CONT) or with Yea-Sacc (YS; 13 g per day). The diet consisted of 69% whole, high moisture corn, 20% ground alfalfa hay, 2% molasses, and 9% supplement (dry matter basis). The diet was fed once daily for an average of 99 days in amounts calculated to result in CONT calf daily gain of 2.25 Ib. As intended, dry matter intakes of calves on the two treatments were identical (13.3 Ib/day). Daily gains averaged 2.40 and 2.32 Ib (P\u3e.20) and feed efficiency 5.55 and 5.73 (P\u3e.20) for CONT and YS, respectively. YS did not improve gain or feed efficiency of growing calves limit-fed a high concentrate diet

Wheat Tailings in Feedlot Finishing Diets

One hundred twenty-eight yearling steers (average initial weight 854 Ib) were fed one of four finishing diets containing (dry matter basis) either 1) 83% high moisture corn, 2) 44% high moisture corn and 37% high moisture wheat tailings, 3) 82% high moisture wheat tailings, or 4) 42% high moisture corn and 40% dry wheat tailings. Wheat tailings consisted of small wheat kernels removed during cleaning that had low test weights (41.5 to 52.0 Iblbushel) and high vomitoxin levels (1 7 to 42 ppm). High moisture wheat tailings were coursely cracked, reconstituted to 29% moisture, and ensiled. Dry wheat tailings were cracked only. Average daily gain declined up to 25% (P\u3c.01) with increasing levels of high moisture wheat tailings as a result of a linear decline in dry matter intake (P \u3c .05). Feed efficiency tended to worsen (P\u3c .14). However, calculated net energy values for high moisture wheat tailings were similar to that of corn. Dry wheat tailings, on the other hand, resulted in similar intake (P\u3e .20) but 1 5% lower average daily gain (P\u3c .01) than high moisture wheat tailings fed at a comparable level and net energy values were approximately 75% of corn. Wheat tailings, regardless of form or level, decreased quality grade (P \u3c .05) but did not affect dressing percent, yield grade, or liver abscesses (P\u3e .20)

Effect of Increasing Levels of Condensed Corn Distillers Solubles on Performance of Finishing Steers

A trial was conducted as a randomized block design to assess the effects of condensed corn distillers solubles (CCDS) on performance and carcass merit of yearling steers (n = 21 6) fed 90% concentrate finishing diets. CCDS was included at 0 (MSBM), 5 (5CCDS1, 10 (IOCCDS), or 20% (20CCDS) of diet DM, replacing soybean meal, molasses, and corn. Average daily gain increased (PC .051 for steers fed CCDS but, along with a numerical trend (P= .14) of increasing DMI, resulted in no improvement in FIG (P\u3e.20). Steers were harvested on day 108. Carcass weight and dressing percent for steers fed CCDS were greater than control steers (P\u3c .01). Other carcass characteristics did not differ by treatment (P \u3e .20). Ruminal fluid was collected by stomach tube from steers (n = 72) at -.5, + 1, +4, and + 7 hours from feeding. Values reported are means across sampling times. Ruminal fluid pH was higher for CCDS fed cattle than MSBM (P\u3c.05). Butyrate increased with increasing CCDS level (PC .05). Differences in acetate, propionate, and NH3N were not significant (P\u3e .20). The CCDS was an effective protein and energy source in 90% concentrate corn-based finishing diets. Based on performance, maximum inclusion rate is at least 20% of diet DM

Effect of Yeast Culture Product (Yea-Sacc) on Feedlot Performance of Yearling Cattle Fed a High Concentrate Finishing Diet

The objective of this study was to determine if yeast culture (Yea-Sacc, Alltech, Inc., USA) affects feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of yearling steers fed a corn-based finishing diet containing less than 10% roughage. Crossbred yearlings (1 08 steers, avg 874 Ib) were fed a rolled corn diet (8.44% ground alfalfa hay) without (CON) or with Yea-Sacc (YS, 9 g per head per day) for 95 days. Final weights were 15 1b greater (P \u3c .07) for YS steers than CON as a result of a 12.3% increase in daily gain between day 29 and day 57 (P\u3c.03). Daily gains were 4.1 % greater for YS-fed steers overall (P\u3c.07). Dry matter intake was not affected by treatment (P\u3e .20). Feed efficiency tended to be improved for YS steers between day 29 and day 57 (P\u3c .1 1) but did not differ at other times or overall (P\u3e .20). Treatment increased carcass weights by 13 1b (P \u3c .09) but did not affect dressing percentage or frequency of abscessed livers (P\u3e.20). Effects on quality and yield grade, while significant, were small. The inclusion of yeast culture in a corn-based diet containing less than 10% roughage improved daily rate of gain but did not affect intake or efficiency and had minimal effect on carcass characteristics

Environmental Effects on Limit-Fed Feedlot Finishing Diets

Ninety-six crossbred yearling steers were allotted to either ad libitum or 93% of ad libitum intake treatments in a 117-day winter finishing trial. Intake restriction began once the 93% treatment group was started on its finishing diet. Finishing diets were formulated to result in similar absolute intakes of nutrients and feed additives. Restricted treatment dry matter intake was lower than ad libitum as intended (P\u3c.05), but average daily gain was also less, 3.71 and 3.50 Ib per day (P\u3c.05) and resulted in similar feed/gain, 6.01 and 6.07 (P\u3e.82). These results are in contrast to two previous trials conducted during summer and mild winter/spring conditions and suggest that cold stress may affect the response to limit-feeding of feedlot finishing diets

In Vitro Digestibility of Untreated and Ammonia Treated oat Mill By-Product

Oat mill by-product (OMB, approximately 80% oat hulls) was treated with 0, 1%, 3%, or 5% NH3 and 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50% H2O (4 x 5 factorial design) and allowed to react for 28 days. Samples were analyzed for in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), crude protein (CP) and fiber content (NDF, ADF, ADL). Treatment with 3% NH3 and 20% H20 resulted in maximum improvement of IVDMD. CP was increased and NDF decreased due to treatment. Nutritional value of OMB can be improved by NH3 treatment

Ammoniated Oat Hulls for Growing Calves

Eighty-one steer calves were fed growing diets that contained 50% of either 1) ground brome hay (BROME), 2) unground oat hulls (OH), or 3) unground oat hulls treated with 3% ammonia and enough water to raise the moisture content to 20% (NH3-OH). Treated oat hulls were allowed to react for 63 days prior to feeding. Daily gains of NH3-OH fed steers were 18 and 13% greater than those of OH and BROME fed steers, respectively, during the 88-day study (P\u3c.01). Dry matter intakes were not affected by diet (P\u3e.10). However, feed efficiency was 13% better for NH3-OH fed steers than steers fed OH and 9% better than those fed the BROME diet (Pc.05). Calculated NEm and NEg estimates for the brome hay, untreated and 9 treated oat hulls used in this study were 53.9 and 31.9, 51.0 and 29.2, and 64.7 and 40.8 Mcal/cwt DM, respectively. Oat hulls respond well to ammonia treatment and may contain as much as 23% more net energy than brome hay in calf growing diets

Relationship of Maintenance Energy Requirements to Beef Female Production Efficiency

Thirty-three Hereford x Angus first-calf females were used to determine the relationship between production efficiency (PE = calf weaning weight/l2month dam + calf ME intake) and nonlactating dam maintenance ME requirements (MEm) and its components k, and FHP. Substantial variation existed in PE and energy parameters among individuals. However, maintenance metabolism of the dam contributed little to explaining PE variation (Fs.04). This may have been due to the high plane of nutrition provided. Additionally, FHP was closely related to MEm (r2 = .69), suggesting it could be used as an indicator of fed maintenance requirements

Effect of Straw and Newspaper Bedding on Cold Season Feedlot Performance in Two Housing Systems

Two hundred seventy-three crossbred steer calves were fed until slaughter (November through May, 189 days) in either semi-confinement (partial overhead shelter, 88 sq. ft. per steer, concrete pen surface) or conventional open lots (windbreak, 448 sq. ft. per steer, dirt surface with mound). Within each housing system, cattle were provided with no bedding or bedding in the form of oat straw or shredded newspaper. Bedding was provided in amounts necessary to maintain a relatively dry, manure-free area large enough for all cattle to lay down at the same time. There were no interactions between housing systems or bedding treatments (P\u3e.10). Feed intake did not dilfer (P\u3e.10) between treatments at any time during the study. On the other hand, overall (day 1 through 189) daily gain was 8.6% greater for steers fed in semi-confinement pens compared to open lots (P\u3c.001). Bedding also improved overall gain by 8.3% (P\u3c.001) compared to no bedding, with newspaper generally being as effective as straw. Similar benefits of housing and bedding were evident in feed efficiency as well. Housing and bedding improved overall feed efficiency 8.2% and 6.8%, respectively (P\u3c.001). Less newspaper than straw was used in this study (232 vs 266 Ib per 100 head per day) and break-even values were $141.88 and$1 14.21 per ton, respectively. Both housing and bedding improved feedlot performance, with bedding being as effective in open lots containing mounds as on concrete. Newspaper can be an effective replacement for more conventional bedding materials