Performance Profile and Carcass Characteristics of Steers Fed Optaflexx

An experiment evaluated the live BW response of steers being fed Optaflexx for various durations. The design consisted of two Optaflexx levels (0 vs. 200 mg per steer daily) and two Optaflexx feeding durations (28 or 42 days immediately prior to slaughter). However, Optaflexx was started on the same day (day 151 of the feeding period). Feeding 200 mg/steer daily of Optaflexx significantly (P\u3c0.01) improved final BW, ADG, and F:G compared to controls. Feeding 200 mg /steer daily of Optaflexx provided 16.4 and 18.8 lb of added BW above controls for the 28 and 42 feeding duration, respectively, but most (approximately 87%) of this weight gain was within the first 28 days of the time that Optaflexx was fed

Effect of Dietary Cation-Anion Difference on Feedlot Performance, Nitrogen Mass Balance and Manure pH in Open Feedlot Pens

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) at two levels (-16 and +20 mEq) on feedlot performance and nutrient mass balance in open feedlots. Decreasing DCAD did not negatively impact cattle performance or carcass characteristics. Feeding negative DCAD diets resulted in lower manure pH in both the winter and summer experiments. Final soil core pH was reduced only in the winter experiment. Percentage of N lost was not influenced by DCAD in either experiment. The decrease in manure pH is likely not enough to reduce the amount of N lost in open feedlot pens

Effect of Corn Processing in Finishing Diets Containing Wet Distillers Grains on Feedlot Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Steers

Three-hundred sixty calf-fed steers (BW = 318 ± 15 kg) were used in a completely randomized design to evaluate corn processing methods in finishing diets containing wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS). Whole corn (WC) was compared with corn processed by different methods, consisting of dryrolled corn (DRC), high-moisture corn (HMC), a 1:1 DRC:HMC combination (DM basis), steam-flaked corn (SFC), and finely-ground corn (FGC). The SFC with a flake density of 0.33 kg/L was obtained from a commercial feedlot. Basal dietary ingredients consisted of ground alfalfa hay (5.6% of DM) and dry supplement (3.0% of DM), with the balance being WDGS (30% of DM) and corn (61.4% of DM). Final BW and ADG were greater (P \u3c 0.05) for the cattle fed DRC (1.84 kg/d) compared with cattle fed FGC (1.53 kg/d), SFC (1.63 kg/d), and WC (1.75 kg/d), but was not different (P = 0.11) from cattle fed DRC:HMC (1.78 kg/d). Cattle fed HMC (0.185) had greater (P \u3c 0.05) G:F compared with cattle fed FGC (0.166), SFC (0.176), and WC (0.166). No differences (P \u3e 0.30) were detected between cattle fed HMC and DRC:HMC for ADG and G:F; however, cattle fed DRC tended to have greater (P = 0.08) ADG, yet lower (P = 0.08) G:F than cattle fed HMC. Carcass characteristics reflected performance. These data indicate that steam flaked and finely ground corn processing methods, or no processing, are not as effective as high-moisture or dry-rolled corn processing methods in finishing diets containing 30% WDGS

Effect of Corn Processing in Finishing Diets Containing Wet Distillers Grains on Feedlot Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Steers

An experiment evaluated the effects of six corn processing methods in feedlot diets containing 30% (DM basis) wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS). Treatments consisted of whole corn, dry-rolled corn, a dry-rolled/ high-moisture corn mix, high-moisture corn, steam flaked corn, and fine ground corn. The ADG was highest for steers receiving dry-rolled corn, high-moisture corn, or a 50:50 blend of dry-rolled and high-moisture corn. Feed conversion was best for steers receiving high-moisture corn. Interestingly, cattle fed finely ground corn or steam-flaked corn did not gain or convert as well as expected. Results indicate that there is a performance advantage obtained by processing corn as either dry-rolled or high-moisture when included with WDGS in finishing diets

Performance Profile and Carcass Characteristics of Steers Fed Optaflexx

An experiment evaluated the live BW response of steers being fed Optaflexx for various durations. The design consisted of two Optaflexx levels (0 vs. 200 mg per steer daily) and two Optaflexx feeding durations (28 or 42 days immediately prior to slaughter). However, Optaflexx was started on the same day (day 151 of the feeding period). Feeding 200 mg/steer daily of Optaflexx significantly (P\u3c0.01) improved final BW, ADG, and F:G compared to controls. Feeding 200 mg /steer daily of Optaflexx provided 16.4 and 18.8 lb of added BW above controls for the 28 and 42 feeding duration, respectively, but most (approximately 87%) of this weight gain was within the first 28 days of the time that Optaflexx was fed

Effect of Sorting and Feeding Optaflexx on Performance and Economics of Long Yearling Steers

A two-year experiment evaluated the effects of sorting long yearling steers by initial feedlot BW and supplementing 200 mg/steer of Optaflexx daily the last 28 days of the feeding period on ADG, F/G, carcass characteristics and profitability. Feedlot ADG, F/G, and profitability were not effected by sorting. However, sorted cattle exhibited increased fat thickness, increased ribeye area, and increased percentage of carcasses with a yield grade of four or higher. Supplementing Optaflexx the last 28 days of the feeding period had no effect on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, or profitability

Effect of Sorting and Feeding Optaflexx on Performance and Economics of Long Yearling Steers

A two-year experiment evaluated the effects of sorting long yearling steers by initial feedlot BW and supplementing 200 mg/steer of Optaflexx daily the last 28 days of the feeding period on ADG, F/G, carcass characteristics and profitability. Feedlot ADG, F/G, and profitability were not effected by sorting. However, sorted cattle exhibited increased fat thickness, increased ribeye area, and increased percentage of carcasses with a yield grade of four or higher. Supplementing Optaflexx the last 28 days of the feeding period had no effect on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, or profitability

Effect of Distillers Grains Composition and Level on Steers Consuming High-Quality Forage

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dried distillers grains (DDG) supplementation level and composition on growing steer performance and forage intake. Factors included DDG supplementation level (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 or 1.00% of BW), and DDG solubles level (0, 5.4, 14.5, 19.1, or 22.1% DM). Final BW improved, and forage intake decreased with increasing levels of DDG. An interaction between DDG supplementation level and solubles level was observed on ADG and F:G and was likely related to supplemental fat levels. Supplementation of forages with DDG improves performance while decreasing forage intake when fat levels are not too great

Nitrogen use efficiency of dried distillers grains and nitrogen fertilizer in forage based livestock production systems

Historically, nitrogen (N) fertilization of cool-season grasses has been used to increase forage yield and stocking density relative to the cost of application. However, the amount of fertilizer applied to forage production systems in the Midwest U.S. typically exceeds plant uptake while only a small fraction of the N consumed by livestock is removed from the ecosystem. This leaves significant amounts of mobile N susceptible to environmental losses and lowers N use efficiencies. Additionally, the price of fertilizer N continues to rise, making the management of N a delicate balance between maintaining yields and soil N, but minimizing or reducing N loss. Dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) are a relatively inexpensive source of energy and protein for cattle in forage-based production systems. Dried distillers grains supplementation to growing cattle increased animal growth compared to non-supplemented cattle. Fertilization of smooth bromegrass resulted in similar animal performance, however, total gain per ha was increased 53% with fertilization and 105% with DDG supplementation. Nitrogen use efficiency was improved with DDG supplementation compared with fertilizing by reducing N inputs and capturing more N in the form of additional weight gain. Profitability from the performance response was not different with DDG compared to the control because of the negative price slide of heavier cattle. However, since feedlot performance was not affected by previous grazing treatments, retaining ownership through the finishing phase resulted in an additional $53 compared to the control for the average 3-year prices. Increasing N retention and/or reducing N inputs can improve N use efficiency. Because DDG is high in protein, more N is excreted in the urine, however the total N applied to the system is less than fertilization, resulting in more efficient use of N with DDG supplementation. Recent increases in energy and N costs may reduce the associated economic benefits with N fertilization, creating economic and environmental opportunities to enhance production through greater management and recycling of N within grazing systems