Comparative value of full-fat corn germ, whole cottonseed and tallow as energy sources for lactating dairy cows

We used 24 multiparous Holstein cows in 4 x 4 Latin square design to evaluate full-fat corn germ as a replacement for whole cottonseed and tallow in total mixed diets for lactating dairy cows. Experimental diets on a dry matter basis were: 1) control 3.5% fat; 2) whole cottonseed 5.1% fat; 3) tallow 5.1% fat; 4) full-fat corn germ 5.1% fat. Diets were fed as total mixed rations typical of that fed on commercial dairy operations. Cottonseed meal and cottonseed hulls were included in the control, tallow, and full-fat corn germ diets to balance for fiber and protein fractions equal to those in the whole cottonseed diet. Dry matter intake, milk production, and energy corrected milk did not differ among the diets. Milk from cows fed full-fat corn germ contained less fat than milk from cows fed whole cottonseed but was similar to that of milk from cows fed control or tallow diets. Milk protein percentage was lower for cows fed full-fat corn germ than those fed control, but similar to cows fed whole cottonseed or tallow. Percentage milk lactose did not differ among dietary treatments. Cows fed WCS produced more pounds of milk fat than cows fed full-fat corn germ or tallow, but protein and lactose yield did not differ among the diets. Cows fed whole cottonseed produced milk more efficiently than cows fed control, tallow, or full-fat corn germ. Unexpectedly, efficiency of energy corrected milk production was not improved by tallow and tallow did not depress dry matter intake. Somatic cell count did not differ among experimental diets. Urea nitrogen concentration was lower in milk from cows fed full-fat corn germ and tallow than those fed whole cottonseed. All diets led to gains in body weight. The handling and storage characteristics of full-fat corn germ enhances its desirability as a feedstuff for dairy cattle. Full-fat corn germ supported milk production as well as whole cottonseed but not milk fat percentage or fat yield at the level fed in our diets. Additional studies need to be conducted to determine the most advantageous amount to feed full-fat corn germ and clarify the mechanisms by which it depresses milk fat production.; Dairy Day, 2002, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 2002

Performance and carcass characteristics of finishing steers fed dried, full-fat corn germ

Three hundred and fifty-eight crossbred beef steers (average initial weight 701 lb) were fed finishing diets containing 0, 5, 10, or 15% full-fat corn germ to evaluate effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Steers were placed into dirt-surfaced feedlot pens (12 to 16 head each) in December 2000 with a total of six pens per diet. Average daily gains during the 155-day finishing period were 2.83, 2.99, 3.01 and 2.93 lb/day for cattle fed 0, 5, 10, and 15% corn germ, respectively. Dry matter intakes decreased linearly (P<0.05) with increasing concentrations of full-fat corn germ in the diet. Relative to cattle fed no corn germ, efficiencies were improved by 8, 11, and 9% for cattle fed 5, 10, or 15% germ, respectively. Feeding corn germ also reduced the incidence of liver abscesses (P<0.05) compared to cattle fed the control diet. Dried, full-fat corn germ can be used successfully in cattle finishing diets to increase energy density and animal performance

Diet digestibility and rumen traits in response to feeding wed corn gluten feed and a pellet consisting of raw soybean hulls and corn steep liquor

Four ruminally cannulated and two intact multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 3 × 3 replicated Latin square design to evaluate digestibility and rumen traits in lactating dairy cows in response to feeding wet corn gluten feed and a novel product containing raw soybean hulls and corn steep liquor. Three dietary treatments were fed in the experiment. The control contained (DM basis) 30% alfalfa hay, 15% corn silage, 32% corn, 9.3% whole cottonseed, 4.4% solvent soybean meal (SBM), 3.3% expeller SBM, 1.3% fish meal, 1% wet molasses, and 3.7% vitamins/ minerals. Wet corn gluten feed replaced 10% alfalfa hay, 5% corn silage, 5% corn grain, and expeller SBM replaced solvent SBM to maintain diet rumen undegradable protein. The novel product replaced 10% alfalfa hay, 5% corn silage, 3% solvent SBM, and 2% corn. Diets were analyzed to have dietary crude protein percentage and energy density values (Mcal/lb, NEL) of 18.7, 0.75; 18.7, 0.77; 18.7, 0.74; for control, wet corn gluten feed, and the novel product, respectively. Experimental periods were 14 days (10 days adaptation and 4 days collection). Acid insoluble ash was used to estimate fecal output. Dry matter intake averaged 37.9 lb/day and total tract digestibilities of dry matter (DM), organic matter, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and crude protein did not differ among diets: 71.7%, 73.2%, 63.1%, 58.5% and 73.0%, respectively. Diets affected liquid dilution rate, ruminal pH, and ruminal concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and ammonia similarly. The molar ratio of acetate to propionate was greater (P<0.05) for control (3.38) than for wet corn gluten feed (2.79) and the novel product (2.89). Inclusion of wet corn gluten feed and the novel product at 20% of dietary DM as a partial replacement for alfalfa hay, corn silage, corn grain, and SBM in diets fed to lactating dairy cattle supported lactational performance similar to the control diet. Additionally, combining wet corn gluten feed or the novel product with corn silage and alfalfa hay maintained milk fat yields and ruminal pH, thereby demonstrating that wet corn gluten feed and the novel product can serve as an effective source of fiber when fed at 20% of dietary DM. These results indicate that wet corn gluten feed and the novel product tested can serve as alternative feedstuffs in lactating dairy cattle diets

Comparative value of full-fat corn germ, whole cottonseed and tallow as energy sources for lactating dairy cows

We used 24 multiparous Holstein cows in 4 × 4 Latin square design to evaluate full-fat corn germ as a replacement for whole cottonseed and tallow in total mixed diets for lactating dairy cows. Experimental diets on a dry matter basis were: 1) control 3.5% fat; 2) whole cottonseed 5.1% fat; 3) tallow 5.1% fat; 4) full-fat corn germ 5.1% fat. Diets were fed as total mixed rations typical of that fed on commercial dairy operations. Cottonseed meal and cottonseed hulls were included in the control, tallow, and full-fat corn germ diets to balance for fiber and protein fractions equal to those in the whole cottonseed diet. Dry matter intake, milk production, and energy corrected milk did not differ among the diets. Milk from cows fed full-fat corn germ contained less fat than milk from cows fed whole cottonseed but was similar to that of milk from cows fed control or tallow diets. Milk protein percentage was lower for cows fed full-fat corn germ than those fed control, but similar to cows fed whole cottonseed or tallow. Percentage milk lactose did not differ among dietary treatments. Cows fed WCS produced more pounds of milk fat than cows fed full-fat corn germ or tallow, but protein and lactose yield did not differ among the diets. Cows fed whole cottonseed produced milk more efficiently than cows fed control, tallow, or full-fat corn germ. Unexpectedly, efficiency of energy corrected milk production was not improved by tallow and tallow did not depress dry matter intake. Somatic cell count did not differ among experimental diets. Urea nitrogen concentration was lower in milk from cows fed full-fat corn germ and tallow than those fed whole cottonseed. All diets led to gains in body weight. The handling and storage characteristics of full-fat corn germ enhances its desirability as a feedstuff for dairy cattle. Full-fat corn germ supported milk production as well as whole cottonseed but not milk fat percentage or fat yield at the level fed in our diets. Additional studies need to be conducted to determine the most advantageous amount to feed full-fat corn germ and clarify the mechanisms by which it depresses milk fat production

Comparison of dried full-fat corn germ and tallow in finishing feedlot diets for heifers

A trial was conducted using 588 finishing beef heifers (705 lb initially) to compare tallow and dried full-fat corn germ as supplemental energy sources. Pens of 20 to 50 heifers were fed finishing diets containing 1) tallow or 2) corn germ. The tallow diet contained (dry basis) 46% steam-flaked corn, 35% wet corn gluten feed, 3% alfalfa hay, 1.5% soybean meal, and 4% tallow. The corn germ diet contained 41% steam-flaked corn, 35% wet corn gluten feed, 3% alfalfa hay, and 10% corn germ. Diets provided 300 mg monensin, 90 mg tylosin, and 0.5 mg MGA per heifer daily and were fed ad libitum once daily for 110 days. Gains of 2.99 lb/day for tallow and 2.95 lb/day for corn germ were not different (P>0.30), but dry matter intake tended to be greater for cattle fed corn germ than for those fed tallow (P=0.10; 16.7 vs 16.4 lb/day, respectively). Consequently, cattle fed germ were 3.4% less efficient than cattle fed tallow (P0.40) between treatments. Cattle fed corn germ had more carcasses grading prime (P=0.03), more carcasses grading average choice or higher (P<0.05), and tended to have more marbling (P=0.08) than cattle fed tallow. Incidence of liver abscesses was higher (P<0.02) for cattle fed corn germ than for those fed tallow (4.8% vs 1.8%, respectively). These results indicate that corn germ is a suitable substitute for tallow in finishing rations

Alfalfa hay and wet corn gluten feed levels in steam-flaked corn finishing diets

A 153-day finishing experiment was conducted using 631 heifers to determine optimum alfalfa hay and wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) combinations in steam-flaked, corn-based diets. Diets contained either 2 or 6% alfalfa hay and 25, 35, or 45% WCGF (dry basis). Performance was similar (P>0.16) for cattle fed 2 or 6% alfalfa hay. Gain efficiencies (P<0.05) and fat thickness (P<0.10) declined linearly with increasing amounts of WCGF. For heifers fed 2% alfalfa hay, ribeye area increased with increasing dietary WCGF. However for heifers fed 6% alfalfa hay, ribeye area decreased with increasing dietary WCGF. Liver abscesses were lowest for heifers fed 35% WCGF. Alfalfa hay fed at 2% of diet dry matter is sufficient for steam-flaked corn diets containing 25, 35 or 45% WCGF

Combinations of wet corn gluten feed and steam flaked corn in finishing cattle diets

A 152-day experiment was conducted using 615 crossbred steers to evaluate cattle performance when steam-flaked corn in finishing diets was replaced partially with wet corn gluten feed (CGF). Finishing diets contained no wet CGF (0CGF) or 30 and 60% CGF on a dry matter basis (30CGF and 60CGF). Ruminal and fecal pH increased linearly (P<.01) as the proportion of wet corn gluten feed increased. Cattle fed 60CGF gained less than those fed 30CGF (P<.01) and were less efficient than cattle fed 0CGF or 30CGF (P<.05). Dressing percentage was lower (P<.03) for cattle fed 60CGF compared to cattle fed 30CGF. Incidence of liver abscesses increased linearly (P<.01) as the level of CGF increased. Replacing steamflaked corn with wet CGF at 30% of the diet did not alter performance

Comlete lactational performance of cows fed wet corn gluten feed and pellet consisting of raw soybean hulls and corn steep liquor

We evaluated the effect of wet corn gluten feed and a novel product containing raw soybean hulls and corn steep liquor on performance in lactating dairy cows. Forty-six multiparous Holstein cows were used in a randomized incomplete block design. Cows were housed in tie stalls for the first 13 weeks of lactation and moved to group pens for the remainder of the study. Cows were blocked by calving date and assigned to control, wet corn gluten feed (20% of diet DM), or the novel product (20% of diet DM). Diets were administered as total mixed rations at the first feeding postpartum. Control contained (DM basis) 30% alfalfa hay, 15% corn silage, 32% corn, 9.3% whole cottonseed, 4.4% solvent soybean meal (SBM), 3.3% expeller SBM, 1.3% fish meal, 1% wet molasses, and 3.7% vitamins/minerals. Wet corn gluten feed replaced 10% alfalfa hay, 5% corn silage, 5% corn grain, and expeller SBM replaced solvent SBM to maintain diet rumen undegradable protein. The novel product replaced 10% alfalfa hay, 5% corn silage, 3% solvent SBM, and 2% corn. Diet crude protein % and energy density (Mcal/lb, NEL) for control, wet corn gluen feed, and the novel product were 18.4, 0.73; 18.2, 0.75; 18.5, 0.73; respectively. Milk, energy corrected milk, dry matter intake, and production efficiency (ratio of milk to DM intake) did not differ among diets during the first 91 days of lactation, but there was a diet by week interaction for production efficiency. Cows fed control were more efficient during the first 2 weeks postpartum than cows fed wet corn gluten feed and the novel product, likely due to increased fat mobilization from adipose tissue because intake as a percent of body weight was less for cows fed control. During weeks 3 through 14 postpartum, wet corn gluten feed and the novel product improved milk, energy corrected milk, and milk component yield, and production efficiency. Inclusion of wet corn gluten feed and the novel product at 20% of dietary DM as a partial replacement for alfalfa hay, corn silage, corn grain, and SBM in diets fed to lactating dairy cattle supported performance during early lactation and improved performance during mid and late lactation. In addition, combining wet corn gluten feed or the novel product with corn silage and alfalfa hay maintained milk fat yields, thereby demonstrating that they can serve as effective sources of fiber when fed at 20% of dietary DM. Improved performance attributed to wet corn gluten feed and the novel product is due to factors other than improved digestibility of the diets. These results indicate that wet corn gluten feed and the novel product can serve as alternative feedstuffs in diets fed to lactating dairy cattle