Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange
Abstract
Waxy corn in rolled or whole shelled form was compared with rolled normal corn in finishing diets for cattle. Steers (n = 144; initial BW = 765 lb) were allocated to 18 pens and fed these three grain types in a 123 d experiment. The waxy corn was a sole source grain that tested \u3e99% pure waxy endosperm. The normal rolled was acquired as needed through a commercial elevator. Diets contained 78% grain as NR) normal rolled; WR) waxy rolled; or WW) waxy whole grain. Diet had no effect on DMI and there were no differences for production variables between NR and WR treatments (P \u3e 0.10). When waxy corn was fed in whole grain form there was a 7% reduction (P \u3c 0.05) in ADG and a 5% increase (P \u3c 0.05) in feed required per pound of gain. The reduced ADG caused by WW corresponded to lower carcass weight. The WR treatment caused an increase in KPH (P \u3c 0.05). No other effects on carcass characteristics were observed. In rolled form waxy and normal corn have comparable feeding value in finishing diets. Rolling waxy corn will increase feed value by approximately 5%
