One hundred ninety-two yearling steers were fed 132 days (June to October) to determine if roughage levels could be reduced in dry-rolled corn finishing diets containing wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) and to evaluate the effects on N volatilization. Finishing diets contained either 0 or 35% WCGF and 0, 3.75, or 7.5% alfalfa hay. Intake, ADG, and carcass weight increased as level of alfalfa hay increased, or when WCGF was fed. Feed conversions of cattle fed 35% WCGF were improved 4.4% compared to conversions of cattle fed no WCGF at 0% alfalfa hay. Within 35% WCGF diets, efficiency decreased as alfalfa hay inclusion increased. Nitrogen loss from pens with cattle fed 0 and 35% WCGF was not different, averaging nearly 80%. These data suggest alfalfa hay can be decreased from conventional levels when diets contain WCGF

Erickson, Galen E.

Farran, Travis B.

Klopfenstein, Terry J.

Lindquist, Ronald U.

Macken, Casey N.

English

UNL | Libraries

University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports Animal Science Department 
January 2004 
Wet Corn Gluten Feed and Alfalfa Hay Levels in Dry-Rolled Corn 
Finishing Diets 
Travis B. Farran 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
Galen E. Erickson 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, gerickson4@unl.edu 
Terry J. Klopfenstein 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, tklopfenstein1@unl.edu 
Casey N. Macken 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
Ronald U. Lindquist 
Archer Daniels Midland Co., Columbus, Nebraska 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr 
 Part of the Animal Sciences Commons 
Farran, Travis B.; Erickson, Galen E.; Klopfenstein, Terry J.; Macken, Casey N.; and Lindquist, Ronald U., 
"Wet Corn Gluten Feed and Alfalfa Hay Levels in Dry-Rolled Corn Finishing Diets" (2004). Nebraska Beef 
Cattle Reports. 186. 
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/186 
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. 
Page 61 — 2004 Nebraska Beef Report
Wet Corn Gluten Feed and Alfalfa Hay Levels
in Dry-Rolled Corn Finishing Diets
Travis B. Farran
Galen E. Erickson
Terry J. Klopfenstein
Casey N. Macken
Ronald U. Lindquist1
Summary
One hundred ninety-two yearling
steers were fed 132 days (June to Octo-
ber) to determine if roughage levels
could be reduced in dry-rolled corn fin-
ishing diets containing wet corn gluten
feed (WCGF) and to evaluate the effects
on N volatilization. Finishing diets
contained either 0 or 35% WCGF and
0, 3.75, or 7.5% alfalfa hay. Intake,
ADG, and carcass weight increased as
level of alfalfa hay increased, or when
WCGF was fed. Feed conversions of
cattle fed 35% WCGF were improved
4.4% compared to conversions of cattle
fed no WCGF at 0% alfalfa hay.
Within 35% WCGF diets, efficiency
decreased as alfalfa hay inclusion
increased. Nitrogen loss from pens
with cattle fed 0 and 35% WCGF was
not different, averaging nearly 80%.
These data suggest alfalfa hay can be
decreased from conventional levels
when diets contain WCGF.
Introduction
Roughages such as alfalfa hay
(AH) are used to control acidosis in
finishing diets. Typically, finishing
diets contain 5-10% roughage (DM
basis). However, due to their cost
per unit of energy and high poten-
tial for shrink, roughages are bur-
densome in finishing diets. Due to a
reduced starch load and the posi-
tive attributes of feeding WCGF
relative to acidosis, conventional
levels of roughage may not be nec-
Table 1. Composition of finishing diets (% DM basis).
0% WCGF 35% WCGF
AH level, % DM 0 3.75 7.5 0 3.75 7.5
Dry-rolled corn 87.0 83.25 79.5 52.0 48.25 44.5
Wet corn gluten feeda — — — 35.0 35.0 35.0
Alfalfa hay — 3.75 7.5 — 3.75 7.5
Molasses 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
Tallow 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0
Supplementb 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
Urea 1.23 1.12 1.01 0.21 0.11 —
Nutrient Compositionc
CP, % 13.1 13.1 13.1 13.5 13.5 13.5
Ca. % 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70
P, % 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.49 0.49 0.48
aWet corn gluten feed from ADM, Columbus, NE.
bSupplement provided 28 g/ton Rumensin and 10 g/ton Tylan (90% air-dry basis).
cCrude protein and P were analyzed (after trial), Ca was calculated based on
formulation; all are expressed as a percentage of diet DM.
essary when WCGF is included in
finishing diets.
Feeding corn bran has reduced
N volatilization during the winter/
spring (i.e., November to May) feed-
ing months by increasing OM
excretion onto the pen surface (2002
Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 54-57;
2003 Nebraska Beef Report, pp.
54-58). However, decreasing diet
digestibility with corn bran may
also depress animal performance.
The combination of steep liquor
and corn bran in WCGF may allow
performance to be maintained
while helping to reduce N loss by
increasing OM excretion onto the
pen surface. The objectives of this
research were to determine 1) if
WCGF can be effectively utilized as
an energy source and reduce the
need for conventional levels of
roughage in dry-rolled corn based
diets due to acidosis control, and
2) if feeding WCGF will increase
OM excretion onto the pen surface
and widen the C:N ratio of manure
thereby increasing manure N and
reducing N volatilization losses.
Procedure
Feedlot Experiment
One-hundred ninety two year-
ling steers (initial BW = 774 + 24 lb)
were fed 132 days from June to Oc-
tober 2002. Steers were weighed ini-
tially on two consecutive days after
being limit fed (2% BW) for 5 days
to minimize gut fill differences.
Cattle were stratified by weight and
assigned randomly to 1 of 24 pens
(2 x 3 factorial treatment structure; 4
pens/ treatment). Adaptation to fin-
ishing diets consisted of a 23-day
step-up period where dry-rolled
corn progressively replaced AH.
Cattle were implanted on day 1
with Synovex-C and re-implanted
on day 30 with Revalor-S.
Finishing diets contained either
0 or 35% WCGF (ADM, Columbus,
NE) and 0, 3.75, or 7.5% AH (Table
1). Experimental diets were formu-
lated to meet or exceed metaboliz-
able protein requirements (1996
NRC) and be iso-nitrogenous based
(Continued on next page)
2004 Nebraska Beef Report — Page 62
upon the 35% WCGF and 7.5% AH
treatment. Urea was used as the
supplemental protein source to
make diets equal in CP. Upon
completion of the feeding trial,
cattle were harvested at a commer-
cial abattoir and carcass data were
collected. Final weights were calcu-
lated from hot carcass weights us-
ing a common dressing percentage
(63%).
Nutrient Balance
Mass balance for N was con-
ducted as previously outlined (2002
Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 54-57;
2003 Nebraska Beef Report, pp.
54-58). Stocking density in all pens
was maintained at 332 ft2/steer.
Throughout the feeding period, feed
refusals were collected when neces-
sary to accurately assess DMI. After
cattle were removed from pens,
manure was scraped and piled into
one central pile within each pen. As
the manure was being loaded out of
pens, manure samples were taken.
Manure was weighed on an as-is
basis and hauled to the University
of Nebraska compost yard.
Manure N was calculated by
multiplying manure N concentra-
tion by pounds of manure removed
(DM) from the pen surface. Soil core
N was used to correct manure N for
manure left in the pen or soil
removed at cleaning. Runoff N was
the N concentration of the runoff
times pounds of water collected.
The manure C:N ratio was calcu-
lated by taking amount of manure
OM multiplied by 0.49 (assuming
OM contains 49% C) and divided
by amount of N in the manure.
Nitrogen excretion was deter-
mined by difference between N
intake and N retention. Nitrogen
intake was calculated using ana-
lyzed dietary N concentration mul-
tiplied by DMI and corrected for N
content of feed refusals. Steer N
retention was calculated according
to the retained energy and protein
equations established by the 1996
Beef Cattle NRC. Nitrogen excreted
was calculated by subtracting N
Table 2. Effects of wet corn gluten feed and alfalfa hay on steer performance and
carcass characteristics.
WCGF level AH level
Item 0% 35% P-value 0% 3.75% 7.5% Lineara
Final wt., lbb 1288 1308 0.09 1279 1308 1308 0.04
DMI, lb/day 23.6 24.6 <0.01 23.1 24.4 24.8 <0.01
ADG, lb 3.90 4.03 0.10 3.81 4.04 4.05 0.03
Marbling scorec 502 495 0.50 496 496 502 0.63
Ribeye area, sq. in. 13.6 14.3 <0.01 13.6 14.4 13.8 0.57
12th rib fat, in. 0.49 0.54 0.01 0.49 0.51 0.53 0.05
Liver abscesses, % 4.2 3.1 0.73 4.7 4.7 1.6 0.41
aP-value for linear effect of alfalfa hay level.
bCalculated as hot carcass weight ÷ 63% (common dressing percentage).
c450 = Slight50, 500 = Small0, 550 = Small50, etc.
Figure 1. Interaction between alfalfa hay (AH) level and wet corn gluten feed
(WCGF) inclusion on feed conversion of feedlot steers.
6.50
6.25
6.00
5.75
5.50
Fe
ed
:G
ai
n
6.22
6.12
6.25
5.95 5.97
6.04
0% WCGF
35% WCGF
AH x WCGF interaction (P = 0.09)
Linear AH within 35% WCGF (P = 0.06)
Linear AH within 0% WCGF (P = 0.29)
0% 3.75% 7.50%
Alfalfa Hay Level
retention from N intake. Total N
lost was calculated by subtracting
manure N (corrected for soil N con-
tent) and runoff N from excreted N.
Percentage of N lost was calculated
as N lost divided by total N excre-
tion. All N values were expressed
on a lb/steer basis. Phosphorus
intake, retention and excretion were
calculated similar to N.
Statistical analyses were con-
ducted using the Mixed procedures
of SAS. Pen served as the experi-
mental unit. Model effects were AH
level, WCGF level and the inter-
action of the two. Simple effects are
expressed when a significant inter-
action occurred, whereas main
effects of AH and WCGF level are
expressed when no interaction was
observed.
Results
Steers fed 35% WCGF had a
higher DMI (P < 0.01) and ADG
(P = 0.10) compared to those fed no
WCGF (Table 2). Ribeye area and
12th rib fat thickness were also
greater (P < 0.01) for steers fed
WCGF. A linear effect (P < 0.05) of
AH level was observed for DMI and
ADG. An interaction occurred
between AH level and WCGF inclu-
sion for feed conversion (Figure 1).
Feed conversions were not signifi-
Page 63 — 2004 Nebraska Beef Report
cantly different (P > 0.2) across AH
inclusion levels when 0% WCGF
was fed; however, feed conversions
improved (P = 0.06) as AH was
removed in diets containing 35%
WCGF. This observation suggests
AH had less value when diets con-
tained WCGF. Furthermore, feed
conversions of steers fed WCGF
and 0% AH were improved 4.4%
compared to conversions of steers
fed no WCGF and 0% AH (P =
0.10).
Interactions between AH and
WCGF were not observed for feedlot
N mass balance; therefore, only
main effects of AH and WCGF are
shown (Tables 3 and 4, respec-
tively). As level of alfalfa hay
increased, N intake, N retention
and N excretion increased linearly
(P < 0.05). Steers fed WCGF
consumed and excreted more N
(P < 0.01) than those fed no WCGF.
Amount of N lost (lb/steer) was
greater when steers were fed WCGF
(P = 0.08), but because WCGF fed
steers excreted more N, there was
no difference in the percentage N
loss. When expressed as a percent-
age of N excretion, loss of N from
pens where steers were fed 0 and
35% WCGF was not different, aver-
aging 79.2 and 79.6%, respectively.
More manure DM (P = 0.11) and
OM (P < 0.01) were removed from
pens with cattle consuming WCGF.
The higher OM excretion from
steers fed 35% WCGF translated
into an elevated manure C:N ratio
(P = 0.02) as compared to steers fed
no WCGF; however, only a numeri-
Table 3. Effect of alfalfa hay level on N mass balance (values expressed as lb/steer
over the entire feeding period).
Item 0% AH 3.75% AH 7.5% AH SEM Lineara
N intakea 65.6 69.3 70.4 0.7 <0.01
N retentionab 9.6 10.2 10.2 0.2 <0.05
N excretionac 56.1 59.1 60.2 0.6 <0.01
DM wt. removed 736 814 772 123 0.83
OM wt. removed 143 179 183 16.2 <0.10
Manure Nd 7.7 9.9 11.5 1.9 0.16
Runoff N 2.60 2.12 2.45 0.22 0.65
N loste 45.8 47.1 46.2 1.8 0.88
N loss, %f 81.9 79.8 76.6 3.0 0.23
Manure C:N ratio 8.7 9.1 9.3 0.2 0.05
aP-value for linear effect of alfalfa hay level.
bCalculated using NRC (1996) net protein and net energy equations.
cCalculated as N intake — N retention.
dCorrected for soil N concentration before and after trial.
eCalculated as N excretion — manure N — runoff N.
fCalculated as N lost ÷ N excretion.
Table 4. Effect of wet corn gluten feed level on N mass balance (values expressed
as lb/steer over the entire feeding period).
Item 0% WCGF 35% WCGF SEM P-value
N intake 65.9 71.0 0.6 <0.01
N retentiona 9.8 10.2 0.1 0.10
N excretionb 56.1 60.8 0.5 <0.01
DM wt. removed 656 893 100 0.11
OM wt. removed 132 204 13 <0.01
Manure Nc 8.6 10.8 1.5 0.33
Runoff N 3.05 1.73 0.18 <0.01
N lostd 44.4 48.3 1.5 0.08
N loss, %e 79.2 79.6 2.5 0.92
Manure C:N ratio 8.8 9.3 0.2 0.02
aCalculated using NRC (1996) net protein and net energy equations.
bCalculated as N intake — N retention.
cCorrected for soil N concentration before and after trial.
dCalculated as N excretion — manure N — runoff N.
eCalculated as N lost ÷ N excretion.
cal increase was observed in the
amount of N in manure (8.6 vs. 10.8
lb/steer for 0 and 35% WCGF diets,
respectively). Runoff N was greater
from pens where cattle were fed no
WCGF (P < 0.01) compared to those
pens where cattle were fed 35%
WCGF.
Substituting 35% WCGF in place
of dry-rolled corn resulted in a
0.11% increase in dietary P concen-
tration (DM basis). The combina-
tion of a higher DMI for WCGF fed
steers and greater P concentration
in WCGF diets translated into a 4
lb/steer difference in P intake over
the 132 day feeding period and a
subsequent 3.9 lb/steer increase
(42%) in P excretion (data not
shown).
These data suggest AH has less
value when diets contain WCGF,
and can be reduced from conven-
tional levels. Presumably, this effect
is due to reduction in ruminal
starch load and subsequent
reduced ruminal acidosis when
dry-rolled corn is partially replaced
with WCGF. Previous research has
provided evidence that feeding
WCGF reduces the severity of aci-
dosis compared with cattle con-
suming dry-rolled corn (1995
Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 34-36).
However, the response to lower AH
may change if corn is processed dif-
ferently.
Loss of N from open feedlots is
higher during the summer months
than those of the winter/spring
months (2003 Nebraska Beef Report,
pp. 54-58); therefore, the additional
OM excretion from feeding WCGF
may not reduce N loss during the
summer feeding months. Feeding
WCGF will increase the amount of
manure removed from pens. Evaluat-
ing the effects of feeding WCGF on N
losses during the winter/spring
months is warranted.
1Travis B. Farran, graduate student;
Galen E. Erickson, assistant professor;
Terry J. Klopfenstein, professor; Casey N.
Macken, research technician, Animal
Science, Lincoln; Ronald U. Lindquist,
Archer Daniels Midland Co., Columbus,
NE.


Wet Corn Gluten Feed and Alfalfa Hay Levels in Dry-Rolled Corn Finishing Diets

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports Animal Science Department January 2004 Wet Corn Gluten Feed and Alfalfa Hay Levels in Dry-Rolled Corn Finishing Diets Travis B. Farran University of Nebraska-Lincoln Galen E. Erickson University of Nebraska-Lincoln, gerickson4@unl.edu Terry J. Klopfenstein University of Nebraska-Lincoln, tklopfenstein1@unl.edu Casey N. Macken University of Nebraska-Lincoln Ronald U. Lindquist Archer Daniels Midland Co., Columbus, Nebraska Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr  Part of the Animal Sciences Commons Farran, Travis B.; Erickson, Galen E.; Klopfenstein, Terry J.; Macken, Casey N.; and Lindquist, Ronald U., "Wet Corn Gluten Feed and Alfalfa Hay Levels in Dry-Rolled Corn Finishing Diets" (2004). Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports. 186. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/186 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. Page 61 — 2004 Nebraska Beef ReportWet Corn Gluten Feed and Alfalfa Hay Levelsin Dry-Rolled Corn Finishing DietsTravis B. FarranGalen E. EricksonTerry J. KlopfensteinCasey N. MackenRonald U. Lindquist1SummaryOne hundred ninety-two yearlingsteers were fed 132 days (June to Octo-ber) to determine if roughage levelscould be reduced in dry-rolled corn fin-ishing diets containing wet corn glutenfeed (WCGF) and to evaluate the effectson N volatilization. Finishing dietscontained either 0 or 35% WCGF and0, 3.75, or 7.5% alfalfa hay. Intake,ADG, and carcass weight increased aslevel of alfalfa hay increased, or whenWCGF was fed. Feed conversions ofcattle fed 35% WCGF were improved4.4% compared to conversions of cattlefed no WCGF at 0% alfalfa hay.Within 35% WCGF diets, efficiencydecreased as alfalfa hay inclusionincreased. Nitrogen loss from penswith cattle fed 0 and 35% WCGF wasnot different, averaging nearly 80%.These data suggest alfalfa hay can bedecreased from conventional levelswhen diets contain WCGF.IntroductionRoughages such as alfalfa hay(AH) are used to control acidosis infinishing diets. Typically, finishingdiets contain 5-10% roughage (DMbasis). However, due to their costper unit of energy and high poten-tial for shrink, roughages are bur-densome in finishing diets. Due to areduced starch load and the posi-tive attributes of feeding WCGFrelative to acidosis, conventionallevels of roughage may not be nec-Table 1. Composition of finishing diets (% DM basis).0% WCGF 35% WCGFAH level, % DM 0 3.75 7.5 0 3.75 7.5Dry-rolled corn 87.0 83.25 79.5 52.0 48.25 44.5Wet corn gluten feeda — — — 35.0 35.0 35.0Alfalfa hay — 3.75 7.5 — 3.75 7.5Molasses 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0Tallow 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0Supplementb 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0Urea 1.23 1.12 1.01 0.21 0.11 —Nutrient CompositioncCP, % 13.1 13.1 13.1 13.5 13.5 13.5Ca. % 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70P, % 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.49 0.49 0.48aWet corn gluten feed from ADM, Columbus, NE.bSupplement provided 28 g/ton Rumensin and 10 g/ton Tylan (90% air-dry basis).cCrude protein and P were analyzed (after trial), Ca was calculated based onformulation; all are expressed as a percentage of diet DM.essary when WCGF is included infinishing diets.Feeding corn bran has reducedN volatilization during the winter/spring (i.e., November to May) feed-ing months by increasing OMexcretion onto the pen surface (2002Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 54-57;2003 Nebraska Beef Report, pp.54-58). However, decreasing dietdigestibility with corn bran mayalso depress animal performance.The combination of steep liquorand corn bran in WCGF may allowperformance to be maintainedwhile helping to reduce N loss byincreasing OM excretion onto thepen surface. The objectives of thisresearch were to determine 1) ifWCGF can be effectively utilized asan energy source and reduce theneed for conventional levels ofroughage in dry-rolled corn baseddiets due to acidosis control, and2) if feeding WCGF will increaseOM excretion onto the pen surfaceand widen the C:N ratio of manurethereby increasing manure N andreducing N volatilization losses.ProcedureFeedlot ExperimentOne-hundred ninety two year-ling steers (initial BW = 774 + 24 lb)were fed 132 days from June to Oc-tober 2002. Steers were weighed ini-tially on two consecutive days afterbeing limit fed (2% BW) for 5 daysto minimize gut fill differences.Cattle were stratified by weight andassigned randomly to 1 of 24 pens(2 x 3 factorial treatment structure; 4pens/ treatment). Adaptation to fin-ishing diets consisted of a 23-daystep-up period where dry-rolledcorn progressively replaced AH.Cattle were implanted on day 1with Synovex-C and re-implantedon day 30 with Revalor-S.Finishing diets contained either0 or 35% WCGF (ADM, Columbus,NE) and 0, 3.75, or 7.5% AH (Table1). Experimental diets were formu-lated to meet or exceed metaboliz-able protein requirements (1996NRC) and be iso-nitrogenous based(Continued on next page)2004 Nebraska Beef Report — Page 62upon the 35% WCGF and 7.5% AHtreatment. Urea was used as thesupplemental protein source tomake diets equal in CP. Uponcompletion of the feeding trial,cattle were harvested at a commer-cial abattoir and carcass data werecollected. Final weights were calcu-lated from hot carcass weights us-ing a common dressing percentage(63%).Nutrient BalanceMass balance for N was con-ducted as previously outlined (2002Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 54-57;2003 Nebraska Beef Report, pp.54-58). Stocking density in all penswas maintained at 332 ft2/steer.Throughout the feeding period, feedrefusals were collected when neces-sary to accurately assess DMI. Aftercattle were removed from pens,manure was scraped and piled intoone central pile within each pen. Asthe manure was being loaded out ofpens, manure samples were taken.Manure was weighed on an as-isbasis and hauled to the Universityof Nebraska compost yard.Manure N was calculated bymultiplying manure N concentra-tion by pounds of manure removed(DM) from the pen surface. Soil coreN was used to correct manure N formanure left in the pen or soilremoved at cleaning. Runoff N wasthe N concentration of the runofftimes pounds of water collected.The manure C:N ratio was calcu-lated by taking amount of manureOM multiplied by 0.49 (assumingOM contains 49% C) and dividedby amount of N in the manure.Nitrogen excretion was deter-mined by difference between Nintake and N retention. Nitrogenintake was calculated using ana-lyzed dietary N concentration mul-tiplied by DMI and corrected for Ncontent of feed refusals. Steer Nretention was calculated accordingto the retained energy and proteinequations established by the 1996Beef Cattle NRC. Nitrogen excretedwas calculated by subtracting NTable 2. Effects of wet corn gluten feed and alfalfa hay on steer performance andcarcass characteristics.WCGF level AH levelItem 0% 35% P-value 0% 3.75% 7.5% LinearaFinal wt., lbb 1288 1308 0.09 1279 1308 1308 0.04DMI, lb/day 23.6 24.6 <0.01 23.1 24.4 24.8 <0.01ADG, lb 3.90 4.03 0.10 3.81 4.04 4.05 0.03Marbling scorec 502 495 0.50 496 496 502 0.63Ribeye area, sq. in. 13.6 14.3 <0.01 13.6 14.4 13.8 0.5712th rib fat, in. 0.49 0.54 0.01 0.49 0.51 0.53 0.05Liver abscesses, % 4.2 3.1 0.73 4.7 4.7 1.6 0.41aP-value for linear effect of alfalfa hay level.bCalculated as hot carcass weight ÷ 63% (common dressing percentage).c450 = Slight50, 500 = Small0, 550 = Small50, etc.Figure 1. Interaction between alfalfa hay (AH) level and wet corn gluten feed(WCGF) inclusion on feed conversion of feedlot steers.6.506.256.005.755.50Feed:Gain6.226.126.255.95 5.976.040% WCGF35% WCGFAH x WCGF interaction (P = 0.09)Linear AH within 35% WCGF (P = 0.06)Linear AH within 0% WCGF (P = 0.29)0% 3.75% 7.50%Alfalfa Hay Levelretention from N intake. Total Nlost was calculated by subtractingmanure N (corrected for soil N con-tent) and runoff N from excreted N.Percentage of N lost was calculatedas N lost divided by total N excre-tion. All N values were expressedon a lb/steer basis. Phosphorusintake, retention and excretion werecalculated similar to N.Statistical analyses were con-ducted using the Mixed proceduresof SAS. Pen served as the experi-mental unit. Model effects were AHlevel, WCGF level and the inter-action of the two. Simple effects areexpressed when a significant inter-action occurred, whereas maineffects of AH and WCGF level areexpressed when no interaction wasobserved.ResultsSteers fed 35% WCGF had ahigher DMI (P < 0.01) and ADG(P = 0.10) compared to those fed noWCGF (Table 2). Ribeye area and12th rib fat thickness were alsogreater (P < 0.01) for steers fedWCGF. A linear effect (P < 0.05) ofAH level was observed for DMI andADG. An interaction occurredbetween AH level and WCGF inclu-sion for feed conversion (Figure 1).Feed conversions were not signifi-Page 63 — 2004 Nebraska Beef Reportcantly different (P > 0.2) across AHinclusion levels when 0% WCGFwas fed; however, feed conversionsimproved (P = 0.06) as AH wasremoved in diets containing 35%WCGF. This observation suggestsAH had less value when diets con-tained WCGF. Furthermore, feedconversions of steers fed WCGFand 0% AH were improved 4.4%compared to conversions of steersfed no WCGF and 0% AH (P =0.10).Interactions between AH andWCGF were not observed for feedlotN mass balance; therefore, onlymain effects of AH and WCGF areshown (Tables 3 and 4, respec-tively). As level of alfalfa hayincreased, N intake, N retentionand N excretion increased linearly(P < 0.05). Steers fed WCGFconsumed and excreted more N(P < 0.01) than those fed no WCGF.Amount of N lost (lb/steer) wasgreater when steers were fed WCGF(P = 0.08), but because WCGF fedsteers excreted more N, there wasno difference in the percentage Nloss. When expressed as a percent-age of N excretion, loss of N frompens where steers were fed 0 and35% WCGF was not different, aver-aging 79.2 and 79.6%, respectively.More manure DM (P = 0.11) andOM (P < 0.01) were removed frompens with cattle consuming WCGF.The higher OM excretion fromsteers fed 35% WCGF translatedinto an elevated manure C:N ratio(P = 0.02) as compared to steers fedno WCGF; however, only a numeri-Table 3. Effect of alfalfa hay level on N mass balance (values expressed as lb/steerover the entire feeding period).Item 0% AH 3.75% AH 7.5% AH SEM LinearaN intakea 65.6 69.3 70.4 0.7 <0.01N retentionab 9.6 10.2 10.2 0.2 <0.05N excretionac 56.1 59.1 60.2 0.6 <0.01DM wt. removed 736 814 772 123 0.83OM wt. removed 143 179 183 16.2 <0.10Manure Nd 7.7 9.9 11.5 1.9 0.16Runoff N 2.60 2.12 2.45 0.22 0.65N loste 45.8 47.1 46.2 1.8 0.88N loss, %f 81.9 79.8 76.6 3.0 0.23Manure C:N ratio 8.7 9.1 9.3 0.2 0.05aP-value for linear effect of alfalfa hay level.bCalculated using NRC (1996) net protein and net energy equations.cCalculated as N intake — N retention.dCorrected for soil N concentration before and after trial.eCalculated as N excretion — manure N — runoff N.fCalculated as N lost ÷ N excretion.Table 4. Effect of wet corn gluten feed level on N mass balance (values expressedas lb/steer over the entire feeding period).Item 0% WCGF 35% WCGF SEM P-valueN intake 65.9 71.0 0.6 <0.01N retentiona 9.8 10.2 0.1 0.10N excretionb 56.1 60.8 0.5 <0.01DM wt. removed 656 893 100 0.11OM wt. removed 132 204 13 <0.01Manure Nc 8.6 10.8 1.5 0.33Runoff N 3.05 1.73 0.18 <0.01N lostd 44.4 48.3 1.5 0.08N loss, %e 79.2 79.6 2.5 0.92Manure C:N ratio 8.8 9.3 0.2 0.02aCalculated using NRC (1996) net protein and net energy equations.bCalculated as N intake — N retention.cCorrected for soil N concentration before and after trial.dCalculated as N excretion — manure N — runoff N.eCalculated as N lost ÷ N excretion.cal increase was observed in theamount of N in manure (8.6 vs. 10.8lb/steer for 0 and 35% WCGF diets,respectively). Runoff N was greaterfrom pens where cattle were fed noWCGF (P < 0.01) compared to thosepens where cattle were fed 35%WCGF.Substituting 35% WCGF in placeof dry-rolled corn resulted in a0.11% increase in dietary P concen-tration (DM basis). The combina-tion of a higher DMI for WCGF fedsteers and greater P concentrationin WCGF diets translated into a 4lb/steer difference in P intake overthe 132 day feeding period and asubsequent 3.9 lb/steer increase(42%) in P excretion (data notshown).These data suggest AH has lessvalue when diets contain WCGF,and can be reduced from conven-tional levels. Presumably, this effectis due to reduction in ruminalstarch load and subsequentreduced ruminal acidosis whendry-rolled corn is partially replacedwith WCGF. Previous research hasprovided evidence that feedingWCGF reduces the severity of aci-dosis compared with cattle con-suming dry-rolled corn (1995Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 34-36).However, the response to lower AHmay change if corn is processed dif-ferently.Loss of N from open feedlots ishigher during the summer monthsthan those of the winter/springmonths (2003 Nebraska Beef Report,pp. 54-58); therefore, the additionalOM excretion from feeding WCGFmay not reduce N loss during thesummer feeding months. FeedingWCGF will increase the amount ofmanure removed from pens. Evaluat-ing the effects of feeding WCGF on Nlosses during the winter/springmonths is warranted.1Travis B. Farran, graduate student;Galen E. Erickson, assistant professor;Terry J. Klopfenstein, professor; Casey N.Macken, research technician, AnimalScience, Lincoln; Ronald U. Lindquist,Archer Daniels Midland Co., Columbus,NE.

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1185&context=animalscinbcr

Wet Corn Gluten Feed and Alfalfa Hay Levels in Dry-Rolled Corn Finishing Diets

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

UNL | Libraries

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska