Effect of Corn Bran and Corn Steep Inclusion in Finishing Diets on Diet Digestibility and Fiber Disappearance

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Eight ruminally cannulated heifers were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square to determine the effects of replacing dry rolled corn with corn bran or a combination of corn bran and corn steep, on diet digestibility and rumen environment. Heifers received diets including 0% bran, 30% bran, 30% bran/15% steep and 45% bran/ 15% steep. Byproduct diets were effective in reducing acidosis and had lower dry matter and organic matter digestibilities than the control diet, regardless of steep inclusion. Fiber digestion and microbial efficiency may have been promoted with the inclusion of corn bran and steep in the diet. Feeding a diet containing corn bran and steep may be valuable for improving nutrient utilization in the rumen

Effect of Corn Bran and Corn Steep Inclusion in Finishing Diets on Diet Digestibility and Fiber Disappearance

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL Eight ruminally cannulated heifers were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square to determine the effects of replacing dry rolled corn with corn bran or a combination of corn bran and corn steep, on diet digestibility and rumen environment. Heifers received diets including 0% bran, 30% bran, 30% bran/15% steep and 45% bran/ 15% steep. Byproduct diets were effective in reducing acidosis and had lower dry matter and organic matter digestibilities than the control diet, regardless of steep inclusion. Fiber digestion and microbial efficiency may have been promoted with the inclusion of corn bran and steep in the diet. Feeding a diet containing corn bran and steep may be valuable for improving nutrient utilization in the rumen

Effects of Corn Bran and Degradable Protein Source on Microbial Protein Estimated From Spot Urine Samples in Heifers

A metabolism trial was conducted in finishing heifers to determine if allantoin in spot urine samples could be a predictor of microbial CP (MCP) supply. When corn bran replaced high moisture corn, ruminal pH was higher and microbial efficiency and flow were greater. Estimated microbial efficiency and flow were not different for SBM compared to urea as a source of degradable protein. Daily variation in intake was reflected in MCP estimates. Within day variation for MCP estimates was consistent and small. Estimates of MCP from allantoin in spot urine samples followed NRC estimates. Results demonstrate that allantoin is an effective predictor of MCP flow

Effects of Corn Bran and Degradable Protein Source on Microbial Protein Estimated From Spot Urine Samples in Heifers

A metabolism trial was conducted in finishing heifers to determine if allantoin in spot urine samples could be a predictor of microbial CP (MCP) supply. When corn bran replaced high moisture corn, ruminal pH was higher and microbial efficiency and flow were greater. Estimated microbial efficiency and flow were not different for SBM compared to urea as a source of degradable protein. Daily variation in intake was reflected in MCP estimates. Within day variation for MCP estimates was consistent and small. Estimates of MCP from allantoin in spot urine samples followed NRC estimates. Results demonstrate that allantoin is an effective predictor of MCP flow

Effect of Distillers Grains or Corn Supplementation Frequency on Forage Intake and Digestibility

Ten ruminally cannulated heifers received no supplement, dry distillers grains (DDG) daily, DDG on alternating days, dry rolled corn daily, or corn on alternating days. Hay intake was higher for non-supplemented than for supplemented heifers. No intake differences were observed between DDG and corn-supplemented heifers. Heifers supplemented daily had higher and more consistent intakes than those in alternate-day treatments, particularly within corn-supplemented heifers. Ruminal pH and hay fiber disappearance were greater in non-supplemented heifers. Corn-supplemented heifers had slower rates of fiber disappearance than DDG-supplemented. Alternate-day energy supplementation increased intake variability compared to daily supplementation

Effect of Age, Pregnancy, and Diet on Urinary Creatinine Excretion in Heifers and Cows

A series of total urine collections was conducted to evaluate effect of age, pregnancy and diet on creatinine excretion in heifers and cows. To test effect of age on creatinine excretion, 31 animals ranging from 5 to 104 months of age were fed a hay diet supplemented with dried distillers grains (DDG). There was no difference in creatinine excretion across age. Cows fed the same diet were sampled to determine effect of pregnancy on creatinine excretion. Pregnancy did not affect daily creatinine excretion. Two collection periods were conducted to determine if diet alters creatinine excretion. In period 1, heifers were fed a hay diet supplemented with DDG; in period 2, heifers were fed a finishing diet. Creatinine excretion was lower in heifers on the finishing diet. Age and pregnancy did not influence creatinine excretion; however, diet may affect creatinine excretion in growing heifers

Effect of Gestation and Supplementation on Intake of Low-Quality Forage

Eighteen spring-calving heifers were paired by expected calving date and assigned to treatment. Treatments were a high undegradable intake protein supplement (CON) or one based on dry corn gluten feed (TRT). Heifers were fed to consume low-quality hay ad libitum. Supplement type did not affect body condition, milk production, or calf ADG. TRT heifers lost less weight than CON heifers. There was no effect of supplement on forage intake. Intake changed cubically with respect to calving; decreasing 17% during the three weeks prior to calving, and increasing 18% the week after calving

A System for Wintering Spring-Calving Bred Heifers Without Feeding Hay

Two systems for wintering pregnant, March-calving heifers were compared over two years on a commercial Nebraska ranch. The ranch’s standard management system (CON) included grazed forage, supplement and hay. The alternative system (TRT) relied on grazed forage and higher levels of supplement, with no hay. Treatment effects on weight and body condition changes differed between years. Calves nursing TRT heifers tended to gain more weight. Two-year-old pregnancy rates did not differ. Partial budget analysis suggests the TRT system reduced expense by $7 per heifer, while maintaining a high level of performance