A pooled analysis combined data from three trials in which steer calves grazing corn residue were supplemented with distillers grains at varying amounts as a percent of BW. A regression equation was calculated in order to provide an accurate estimate of gain for calves fed distillers grains at various rates. Steers supplemented with distillers grains in a range from 0.3 to 1.1% of BW (1.5 to 6.5 lb / steer daily) had estimated gains that ranged from 1.07 to 1.94 lb / d. Th is prediction equation provides an estimate of gain for calves supplemented with distillers grains at various rates while grazing corn residue under normal environmental conditions

MacDonald, Jim C.

Welchons, Cody A.

English

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - LincolnDigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - LincolnNebraska Beef Cattle Reports Animal Science Department2017Pooled Gain Analysis of Steers Grazing CornResidue and Supplemented with Distillers GrainsCody A. WelchonsUniversity of Nebraska-LincolnJim C. MacDonaldUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, jmacdonald2@unl.eduFollow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcrPart of the Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons, Meat Science Commons, andthe Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Animal Science Department at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.Welchons, Cody A. and MacDonald, Jim C., "Pooled Gain Analysis of Steers Grazing Corn Residue and Supplemented with DistillersGrains" (2017). Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports. 999.https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/99934 · 2017 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report©  Th e Board Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.and limestone at 60 g / steer daily and were implanted with Ralgro® at the beginning of the trial. In all trials, steers were individual-ly supplemented daily via Calan gates. Re-sults for each trial can be seen in Figure 1.Estimated available forage was divided by estimated DMI (10 lb / steer daily) to determine the number of grazing days the fi eld could support. Data were pooled using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, N.C.). Calf was the experimental unit and data were blocked by weight within trial and trial was included in the model. A regression equation was calculated using the average calculated ADG of calves in the 3 trials when DGS was supplemented at 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, and 1.1% of BW.ResultsA regression line and equation were calculated utilizing the 3 pooled datasets (Figure 2). As rate of DGS supplemention increased, there was a quadratic increase in ADG (P = 0.06). Estimates of ADG for steers fed DGS at 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, and 1.1% of BW were 1.07, 1.36, 1.60, 1.80, and 1.94 lb / d, respectively. Th is analysis agrees with previous research in which DDGS was fed at 0.52% of BW to steers grazing corn ProcedureA pooled analysis was conducted utiliz-ing data from 3 corn residue grazing trials conducted from early November to early February at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead, NE. In all 3 trials, steer calves grazing corn residue were supplemented with distillers grains at diff ering rates. Th e fi rst trial (2006 Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 36– 37) utilized 120 steers (512 lb, ± 37) that were fed dried distillers grains (DDGS) at either 0.29, 0.49, 0.69, 0.88, 1.08, or 1.27% of BW which equated to a range of 1.5 to 6.5 lb of DDGS / steer daily (DM basis). Th e second trial (2014 Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 48– 49) utilized 120 steers (435 lb, ± 16) fed either modifi ed distillers grains (MDGS) or DDGS at 0.3, 0.7, or 1.1% of BW (1.4 to 5.4 lb / steer daily on a DM basis). Th ere were no diff erences in ADG due to distillers type (P =0.51), therefore gains were pooled together for this analysis. Th e third trial (2015 Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 25– 26) utilized 60 steers (519 lb, ± 11) fed DDGS at 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, or 1.1% of BW (1.7 to 6.8 lb / steer daily on a DM basis). Steers in the second and third trial received monensin at 200 mg / steer Cody A. WelchonsJim C. MacDonaldSummary with ImplicationsA pooled analysis combined data from three trials in which steer calves grazing corn residue were supplemented with distillers grains at varying amounts as a percent of BW. A regression equation was calculated in order to provide an accurate estimate of gain for calves fed distillers grains at various rates. Steers supplemented with distillers grains in a range from 0.3 to 1.1% of BW (1.5 to 6.5 lb / steer daily) had estimated gains that ranged from 1.07 to 1.94 lb / d. Th is prediction equa-tion provides an estimate of gain for calves supplemented with distillers grains at various rates while grazing corn residue under nor-mal environmental conditions.IntroductionCorn residue is a relatively inexpensive, grazable forage source in many parts of Nebraska. However, due to its low levels of protein and energy, it is necessary to provide a supplemental nutrient source for growing calves to meet their growth requirements (2016 Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 31– 32). Distillers grains plus solubles (DGS) fi ts well as a supplement for calves grazing corn residue, as it is high in both protein (~30% CP) and energy (108% TDN). An estimate of calf ADG, relative to amount of DGS fed, is important to have so that producers can achieve a desired level of gain. Th e objective of this analysis was to combine ADG data from previous trials into a pooled analysis that would provide an equation from which ADG could be esti-mated depending on rate of DGS supple-mentation (as a percent of BW). Pooled Gain Analysis of Steers Grazing Corn Residue and Supplemented with Distillers GrainsGustad et. al., 2006Jones et. al., 2014Jones et. al., 2015Average Daily Gain, lb/dLevel of DGS, % of BW2.502.00 1.501.000.500.000 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2Figure 1. Eff ect of level of DGS supplement on ADG of steers across trials2017 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report · 35 ConclusionOverall, as supplementation rate of DGS increases, so does ADG. However, at higher rates of supplementation, added gain in-creases at a decreasing rate. Th is prediction equation can provide, under normal envi-ronmental conditions, a reasonable estimate of gain for calves supplemented with DGS at various rates while grazing corn residue.Cody A. Welchons, graduate studentJim C. MacDonald, associate professor, University of Nebraska- Lincoln Department of Animal Science, Lincoln, Nebresidue and ADG was 1.32 lb / d (predict-ed ADG = 1.39 lb/d) (2016 Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 31– 32). Additionally, in another study evaluating performance of calves grazing corn residue, steers were supple-mented with DDGS at 0.86% of BW and gained 1.77 lb / d which matches the ADG calculated using this prediction equation (2016 Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 55– 56).2.502.001.501.000.500.000 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2ADG = 0.55 + 1.93x - 0.60x2R2 = 0.4694Level of DGS, % of BWAverage Daily Gain, lb/dFigure 2. Eff ect of rate of DGS supplement on ADG of steer calves grazing corn residue (Linear response— P < 0.01; Quadratic response— P = 0.06)

Pooled Gain Analysis of Steers Grazing Corn Residue and Supplemented with Distillers Grains

UNL | Libraries

University of Nebraska - Lincoln
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports Animal Science Department
2017
Pooled Gain Analysis of Steers Grazing Corn
Residue and Supplemented with Distillers Grains
Cody A. Welchons
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Jim C. MacDonald
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, jmacdonald2@unl.edu
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr
Part of the Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons, Meat Science Commons, and
the Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health Commons
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Animal Science Department at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has
been accepted for inclusion in Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Welchons, Cody A. and MacDonald, Jim C., "Pooled Gain Analysis of Steers Grazing Corn Residue and Supplemented with Distillers
Grains" (2017). Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports. 999.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/999
34 · 2017 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report
©  Th e Board Regents of the University of 
Nebraska. All rights reserved.
and limestone at 60 g / steer daily and were 
implanted with Ralgro® at the beginning of 
the trial. In all trials, steers were individual-
ly supplemented daily via Calan gates. Re-
sults for each trial can be seen in Figure 1.
Estimated available forage was divided 
by estimated DMI (10 lb / steer daily) to 
determine the number of grazing days the 
fi eld could support. Data were pooled using 
the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute 
Inc., Cary, N.C.). Calf was the experimental 
unit and data were blocked by weight within 
trial and trial was included in the model. A 
regression equation was calculated using the 
average calculated ADG of calves in the 3 
trials when DGS was supplemented at 0.3, 
0.5, 0.7, 0.9, and 1.1% of BW.
Results
A regression line and equation were 
calculated utilizing the 3 pooled datasets 
(Figure 2). As rate of DGS supplemention 
increased, there was a quadratic increase 
in ADG (P = 0.06). Estimates of ADG for 
steers fed DGS at 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, and 1.1% 
of BW were 1.07, 1.36, 1.60, 1.80, and 1.94 
lb / d, respectively. Th is analysis agrees 
with previous research in which DDGS was 
fed at 0.52% of BW to steers grazing corn 
Procedure
A pooled analysis was conducted utiliz-
ing data from 3 corn residue grazing trials 
conducted from early November to early 
February at the University of Nebraska- 
Lincoln Eastern Nebraska Research and 
Extension Center near Mead, NE. In all 
3 trials, steer calves grazing corn residue 
were supplemented with distillers grains at 
diff ering rates. Th e fi rst trial (2006 Nebraska 
Beef Report, pp. 36– 37) utilized 120 steers 
(512 lb, ± 37) that were fed dried distillers 
grains (DDGS) at either 0.29, 0.49, 0.69, 
0.88, 1.08, or 1.27% of BW which equated 
to a range of 1.5 to 6.5 lb of DDGS / steer 
daily (DM basis). Th e second trial (2014 
Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 48– 49) utilized 
120 steers (435 lb, ± 16) fed either modifi ed 
distillers grains (MDGS) or DDGS at 0.3, 
0.7, or 1.1% of BW (1.4 to 5.4 lb / steer daily 
on a DM basis). Th ere were no diff erences 
in ADG due to distillers type (P =0.51), 
therefore gains were pooled together for 
this analysis. Th e third trial (2015 Nebraska 
Beef Report, pp. 25– 26) utilized 60 steers 
(519 lb, ± 11) fed DDGS at 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 
or 1.1% of BW (1.7 to 6.8 lb / steer daily on 
a DM basis). Steers in the second and third 
trial received monensin at 200 mg / steer 
Cody A. Welchons
Jim C. MacDonald
Summary with Implications
A pooled analysis combined data from 
three trials in which steer calves grazing corn 
residue were supplemented with distillers 
grains at varying amounts as a percent of 
BW. A regression equation was calculated in 
order to provide an accurate estimate of gain 
for calves fed distillers grains at various rates. 
Steers supplemented with distillers grains in 
a range from 0.3 to 1.1% of BW (1.5 to 6.5 lb 
/ steer daily) had estimated gains that ranged 
from 1.07 to 1.94 lb / d. Th is prediction equa-
tion provides an estimate of gain for calves 
supplemented with distillers grains at various 
rates while grazing corn residue under nor-
mal environmental conditions.
Introduction
Corn residue is a relatively inexpensive, 
grazable forage source in many parts of 
Nebraska. However, due to its low levels 
of protein and energy, it is necessary to 
provide a supplemental nutrient source 
for growing calves to meet their growth 
requirements (2016 Nebraska Beef Report, 
pp. 31– 32). Distillers grains plus solubles 
(DGS) fi ts well as a supplement for calves 
grazing corn residue, as it is high in both 
protein (~30% CP) and energy (108% 
TDN). An estimate of calf ADG, relative to 
amount of DGS fed, is important to have so 
that producers can achieve a desired level 
of gain. Th e objective of this analysis was 
to combine ADG data from previous trials 
into a pooled analysis that would provide 
an equation from which ADG could be esti-
mated depending on rate of DGS supple-
mentation (as a percent of BW).
 Pooled Gain Analysis of Steers Grazing Corn Residue and 
Supplemented with Distillers Grains
Gustad et. al., 2006
Jones et. al., 2014
Jones et. al., 2015
Av
er
ag
e D
ai
ly
 G
ai
n,
 lb
/d
Level of DGS, % of BW
2.50
2.00 
1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Figure 1. Eff ect of level of DGS supplement on ADG of steers across trials
2017 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report · 35 
Conclusion
Overall, as supplementation rate of DGS 
increases, so does ADG. However, at higher 
rates of supplementation, added gain in-
creases at a decreasing rate. Th is prediction 
equation can provide, under normal envi-
ronmental conditions, a reasonable estimate 
of gain for calves supplemented with DGS 
at various rates while grazing corn residue.
Cody A. Welchons, graduate student
Jim C. MacDonald, associate professor, 
University of Nebraska- Lincoln 
Department of Animal Science, Lincoln, 
Neb
residue and ADG was 1.32 lb / d (predict-
ed ADG = 1.39 lb/d) (2016 Nebraska Beef 
Report, pp. 31– 32). Additionally, in another 
study evaluating performance of calves 
grazing corn residue, steers were supple-
mented with DDGS at 0.86% of BW and 
gained 1.77 lb / d which matches the ADG 
calculated using this prediction equation 
(2016 Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 55– 56).
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
ADG = 0.55 + 1.93x - 0.60x2
R2 = 0.4694
Level of DGS, % of BW
Av
er
ag
e D
ai
ly
 G
ai
n,
 lb
/d
Figure 2. Eff ect of rate of DGS supplement on ADG of steer calves grazing corn residue 
(Linear response— P < 0.01; Quadratic response— P = 0.06)


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Pooled Gain Analysis of Steers Grazing Corn Residue and Supplemented with Distillers Grains

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