A pre-process fractionation produces a feed product called E-corn, which is low in fat and contains heat-treated starch. E-corn replaced dry rolled corn at 0, 20, 40, or 60% (DM basis) in finishing diets containing either 30% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) or 30% wet corn gluten feed (WCGF). E-corn level x byproduct type interactions were not observed. Dry matter intake increased quadratically to E-corn inclusion level (P = 0.04), while F:G responded cubically with 20% and 60% E-corn inclusion having the lowest F:G (P = 0.02). However, when E-corn level increased from 0 to 60% of diet DM, linear decreases in marbling, fat depth, and calculated yield grade were observed (P \u3c 0.01). Steers fed WDGS had lower DMI (P \u3c 0.01) and F:G (P = 0.02) compared to steers fed WCGF. It appears that optimal inclusion of E-corn is 20% of diet DM

Benton, Joshua R.

Erickson, Galen E.

Godsey, Corineah M

Greenquist, Matthew A.

Guiroy, Pablo

Ibanez, Carlos

Kazin, Jeff

Klopfenstein, Terry J.

Luebbe, Matt K.

English

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports Animal Science Department April 2010 Evaluation of Feedlot and Carcass Performance of Steers Fed Different Levels of E-Corn, a Potential New Feed Product from Ethanol Plants Corineah M. Godsey University of Nebraska - Lincoln Matt K. Luebbe University of Nebraska - Lincoln, mluebbe2@unl.edu Joshua R. Benton University of Nebraska-Lincoln, jbenton2@unl.edu Galen E. Erickson University of Nebraska-Lincoln, gerickson4@unl.edu Terry J. Klopfenstein University of Nebraska-Lincoln, tklopfenstein1@unl.edu See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr  Part of the Animal Sciences Commons Godsey, Corineah M.; Luebbe, Matt K.; Benton, Joshua R.; Erickson, Galen E.; Klopfenstein, Terry J.; Ibanez, Carlos; Guiroy, Pablo; Greenquist, Matthew A.; and Kazin, Jeff, "Evaluation of Feedlot and Carcass Performance of Steers Fed Different Levels of E-Corn, a Potential New Feed Product from Ethanol Plants" (2010). Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports. 562. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/562 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. Authors Corineah M. Godsey, Matt K. Luebbe, Joshua R. Benton, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Carlos Ibanez, Pablo Guiroy, Matthew A. Greenquist, and Jeff Kazin This article is available at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/562 © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.  All rights reserved. 2010 Nebraska Beef Report  — Page 69 Evaluation of Feedlot and Carcass Performance of Steers Fed Different Levels of E-Corn, a Potential New Feed Product from Ethanol PlantsCorineah M. GodseyMatt K. Luebbe Josh R. Benton Galen E. EricksonTerry J. KlopfensteinCarlos IbanezPablo GuiroyMatt GreenquistJeff Kazin1SummaryA pre-process fractionation produces a feed product called E-corn, which is low in fat and contains heat-treated starch. E-corn replaced dry rolled corn at 0, 20, 40, or 60% (DM basis) in fin-ishing diets containing either 30% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) or 30% wet corn gluten feed (WCGF). E-corn level x byproduct type inter-actions were not observed. Dry matter intake increased quadratically to E-corn inclusion level (P = 0.04), while F:G responded cubically with 20% and 60% E-corn inclusion having the lowest F:G (P = 0.02). However, when E-corn level increased from 0 to 60% of diet DM, linear decreases in marbling, fat depth, and calculated yield grade were observed (P < 0.01). Steers fed WDGS had lower DMI (P < 0.01) and F:G (P = 0.02) compared to steers fed WCGF. It appears that optimal inclusion of E-corn is 20% of diet DM.IntroductionImproving the efficiency of ethanol production has included refined mill-ing processes by ethanol companies. One such refinement has led to either partial or complete fractionation of the germ, endosperm, and bran. In addition to increasing ethanol pro-duction efficiency, opportunities may arise to develop “novel” byproducts intended for livestock feed use. Specif-ically, the product E-corn was created as the remaining meal from the frac-tionation of corn into the endosperm used for ethanol, and the germ, from which corn oil is extracted and sold as food-grade corn oil. Previous research on the use of E-corn in swine diets has shown a feeding value equal to that of corn. Therefore, it is hypothesized the use of E-corn in beef cattle finishing diets will yield similar cattle perfor-mance and carcass characteristics compared to corn-based diets.ProcedureA 153-day finishing trial was con-ducted utilizing 120 crossbred yearling steers (BW = 821 ± 14 lb) in a random-ized complete block design. Steers were fed individually using Calan electronic gates. Five days prior to initiation of the trial, steers were limit fed to mini-mize variation in rumen fill (1:1 ratio of alfalfa hay and wet corn gluten feed at 2% BW). Steers were then weighed individually on days -1, 0, and 1 to determine initial BW. Animals were blocked by BW, stratified within block, and assigned randomly to one of eight treatments in one of four barns. Ani-mal served as the experimental unit, and there were a total of 15 replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were designed as a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement (Table 1), with the first factor being type of Table 1.  Dietary treatments for individually fed finishing steers to evaluate E-corn in diets containing either WCGF or WDGS.  E-corn Level1Ingredient 0 20 40 60WCGF dietsDry rolled corn 60.0 40.0 20.0 0.0WCGF 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0E-corn 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0Stalks 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0Supplement2 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0Nutrient composition3 Crude protein 14.5 14.6 14.8 15.0 Fat 3.7 3.1 2.6 2.1 Sulfur 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.27 NDF 25.6 25.8 26.0 26.1WDGS dietsDry rolled corn 60.0 40.0 20.0 0.0WDGS 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0E-corn 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0Stalks 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0Supplement2 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0Nutrient composition3 Crude protein 17.2 17.4 17.6 17.7 Fat 6.3 5.8 5.3 4.7 Sulfur 0.37 0.38 0.38 0.38 NDF 25.6 25.7 25.9 26.01E-corn inclusion level represented as a percentage of diet DM.2Formulated to contain 59.1% fine ground corn, 41.0% limestone, 6.0% salt, 1.0% beef trace mineral (10% Mg, 6% Zn, 4.5% Fe, 2% Mg, 0.5% Cu, 0.3% I, and 0.05% Co), 0.30% vitamin premix (1500 IU vitamin A, 3000 IU vitamin D, 3.7 IU vitamin E per g), 320 mg/hd/d monensin, 40g/lb thiamine, and 90 mg/hd/d tylosin.(Continued on next page)Page 70 — 2010 Nebraska Beef Report  © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.  All rights reserved.Table 2. Steer performance when individually fed varying levels of E-corn for 153 days. E-corn Level1Ingredient 0 20 40 60 Lin2 Quad3 Cub4 Int5Live PerformanceInitial BW, lb 819 821 822 821 0.81 0.82 0.97 0.99Final BW6, lb 1280 1305 1270 1272 0.46 0.51 0.23 0.41DMI, lb/d 21.6 22.0 22.3 21.0 0.37 0.04 0.35 0.93ADG, lb 3.01 3.16 2.93 2.94 0.36 0.53 0.21 0.36G:F 0.139 0.144  0.131  0.140  0.59 0.53 0.02 0.30F:G7 7.19 6.94 7.63 7.14Carcass Performance HCW, lb 806 822 800 801 0.45 0.50 0.23 0.41Marbling score8  528 484 485 444 <0.01 0.94 0.25 0.9212th rib fat, in 0.46 0.45 0.40 0.37 <0.01 0.72 0.61 0.64LM area, in2 12.4 13.2 12.5 13.3 0.05 0.89 <0.01 0.07Calculated YG9 3.25 3.03 3.04 2.70 <0.01 0.49 0.11 0.43abcWithin a row means without a common superscript letter differ (P <  0.10).1E-corn inclusion level represented on a % of diet DM basis.2Contrast for the linear effect of E-corn level P-value.3Contrast for the quadratic effect of E-corn level P-value.4Contrast for the cubic effect of E-corn level P-value.5Interaction between E-corn inclusion level and corn byproduct type P-value.6Calculated from hot carcass weight, adjusted to a 63% yield.7Calculated as 1/G:F .8400 = Slight, 450 = Slight 50, 500 = Small 0, etc.9Yield grade = 2.5 + 2.5(12th rib fat, in) – 0.32(LM area, in2) + 0.2(KPH fat, %) + 0.0038(HCW, lb).Table 3.  Steer performance when individually fed either 30% wet distiller grains plus solubles (WDGS) or wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) for 153 days. TYPEIngredient WCGF WDGS SEM P-Value1Initial BW, lb 823 818 20 .54Final BW2, lb 1284 1279 6 0.75DMI, lb/d 22.4 21.0 0.1 <0.01ADG, lb 3.02 3.01 0.03 0.95G:F 0.134 0.143 0.001 0.02F:G3 7.46 6.99HCW, lb 809 806 4 0.76Marbling score4 488 483 12 0.7612th rib fat, in 0.41 0.43 0.38 0.37LM area, in2 13.0 12.7 1.0 0.29Calculated YG5 2.95 3.06 0.06 0.171F-test statistic for the effect of byproduct type.2Calculated from hot carcass weight, adjusted to a 63% yield.3Calculated as 1/G:F.4400 = Slight, 450 = Slight 50, 500 = Small 0, etc.5Yield grade = 2.5 + 2.5(12th rib fat, in) – 0.32(LM area, in2) + 0.2(KPH fat, %) + 0.0038(HCW, lb).corn byproduct utilized (WDGS or WCGF) and the second factor being level of E-corn inclusion (0, 20, 40 or 60% diet DM). E-corn replaced DRC in all diets (on equal DM basis), and all diets contained 5% cornstalks and 5% dry supplement. On day 28 of the experiment, calves were implanted with Revalor-S (Intervet, Millsboro, Del.). Throughout the course of the experiment, feed refusals were collected twice weekly, weighed and analyzed for DM content to determine accurate DMI. Feed ingredients were collected weekly, frozen, and stored until the conclusion of the trial and then composited by month and analyzed for DM, CP, fat, sulfur, and NDF content to determine nutrient composition of the diets. All steers were slaughtered on day 153 at Greater Omaha (Omaha, Neb.).  On the day of slaughter, hot carcass weight (HCW) and liver abscess data were recorded. Following a 48-hour chill, USDA marbling score, 12th rib fat thickness, and LM area data were collected. Hot carcass weights were used to calculate adjusted final BW by dividing HCW by a common dressing percentage (63%). Average daily gain and F:G were calculated from adjusted final BW. Yield grade was calculated using the USDA yield grade equation, yield grade = 2.5 + 2.5(12th rib fat thickness, in) – 0.32(LM area, in2) + 0.2(KPH fat, %) + 0.0038 (HCW, lb).Steer performance and carcass data were analyzed using the MIXED procedures of SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, N.C.). The model was designed to include corn byproduct type, E-corn inclusion level, and byproduct type x E-corn inclusion level inter-action. Orthogonal contrasts were used to determine linear and quadratic effects of E-corn inclusion level. If a significant interaction existed, effects of E-corn were evaluated within byproduct type. When no interaction was observed, only the main effect of E-corn level was evaluated. ResultsCorn Byproduct Type X E-CornInclusion LevelNo interaction between corn by-product type and E-corn inclusion level was observed for steer perfor-mance (P > 0.10). E-Corn Inclusion LevelLive steer performance and carcass characteristics for the effect of E-corn inclusion level are presented in Table 2. Regardless of corn byproduct type, steers fed increasing levels of E-corn had similar final carcass adjusted body weights (P = 0.49). Intake responded quadratically to increasing © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.  All rights reserved. 2010 Nebraska Beef Report  — Page 71 inclusion of E-corn (P = 0.04). Steers that consumed 0 to 40% diet DM of E-corn had similar DMI, while steers consuming 60% diet DM E-corn had lower DMI. Alternatively, as the level of E-corn increased from 0 to 60% of the diet DM, no differences in ADG were observed (P > 0.10). Feed efficiency responded in a cubic manner as the level of E-corn inclusion increased from 0 to 60% of diet DM. Steers fed 20 or 60% E-corn had the numerically lowest F:G and were statistically similar (P = 0.52), while steers fed 0 or 40% E-corn had the poorest F:G. This would suggest that replacing DRC with E-corn at 60% of the diet DM in diets contain-ing corn byproducts would result in comparable live steer performance while potentially decreasing average DMI. Carcass weight was not affected by the increasing inclusion of E-corn (P = 0.49). However, as the level of E-corn increased, linear decreases in marbling score, fat depth, and calculated yield grade were observed (P <  0.01). When DRC was replaced by E-corn at 20% of the diet DM, decreases of 8.3, 2.2, and 6.8% in mar-bling score, fat depth, and calculated YG were observed when compared to the DRC-based control. Similarly, when E-corn replaced all of the DRC (60% diet DM E-corn inclusion), decreases of 15.9, 19.6 and 16.9% in marbling score, fat depth, and calcu-lated yield could be expected. Includ-ing 40% of the diet DM as E-corn would show intermediate decreases in carcass characteristics, compared to 20% or 60% E-corn inclusion.           Corn Byproduct TypeLive steer performance and carcass characteristics for the effect of corn byproduct type inclusion are present-ed in Table 3. Final carcass adjusted body weight was not different between steers consuming WDGS or WCGF (P = 0.75). Steers consuming WDGS had lower DMI than steers consuming WCGF (P < 0.01), while maintaining similar ADG (P > 0.10). As a result, steers consuming WDGS had a 6% improvement in feed efficiency versus steers consuming WCGF (P = 0.02). Carcass characteristics were unaffect-ed by corn byproduct type (P > 0.10).The feeding value of E-corn was maximized (118% the relative value of corn) at 20% diet DM; total replace-ment of DRC with E-corn at 60% diet DM showed only a minimal improve-ment in the feeding value of E-corn versus DRC (101% the relative value of corn). This could be due to the total replacement of corn, which contains more fat and thereby decreases the total energy value of the diet. Fur-thermore, decreasing the total energy content of the diet appears to have had the greatest impact on carcass characteristics, and reducing the fat content of the diet compromised mar-bling score, fat depth, and calculated yield grade, indicating a lower degree of finish compared to including DRC only in the diet. It could be hypothesized that while carcass adjusted final body weight was similar across E-corn inclusion levels, additional days on feed may be required to reach the same degree of finish. Additionally, it appears that inclusion of E-corn with WDGS would reduce DMI but maintain F:G, and optimum performance can be expect-ed at 20% E-corn diet DM inclusion. It is unclear why the inclusion of E-corn had such profound impacts on carcass finish while not negatively impacting DMI, ADG, or F:G. The fact that there was no difference in ADG and F:G between 0 and 60% E-corn inclusion suggests E-corn may replace corn in diets contain-ing WDGS or WCGF; however, fur-ther research is necessary to explain decreases in marbling score, fat depth, and YG (with no effect on HCW).1Corineah M. Godsey, graduate student, Matt K. Luebbe, technician, Josh R. Benton, technician, Galen E. Erickson, associate professor, Terry J. Klopfenstein, professor, Animal Science, University of Nebraska,  Lincoln, Neb.;  Carlos Ibanez, Pablo Guiroy, and Matt Greenquist, Cargill, Inc., Wayzata, Minn.; Jeff Kazin, Renessen LLC, Wayzata, Minn.

Evaluation of Feedlot and Carcass Performance of Steers Fed Different Levels of E-Corn, a Potential New Feed Product from Ethanol Plants

UNL | Libraries

University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports Animal Science Department 
April 2010 
Evaluation of Feedlot and Carcass Performance of Steers Fed 
Different Levels of E-Corn, a Potential New Feed Product from 
Ethanol Plants 
Corineah M. Godsey 
University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
Matt K. Luebbe 
University of Nebraska - Lincoln, mluebbe2@unl.edu 
Joshua R. Benton 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, jbenton2@unl.edu 
Galen E. Erickson 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, gerickson4@unl.edu 
Terry J. Klopfenstein 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, tklopfenstein1@unl.edu 
See next page for additional authors 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr 
 Part of the Animal Sciences Commons 
Godsey, Corineah M.; Luebbe, Matt K.; Benton, Joshua R.; Erickson, Galen E.; Klopfenstein, Terry J.; Ibanez, 
Carlos; Guiroy, Pablo; Greenquist, Matthew A.; and Kazin, Jeff, "Evaluation of Feedlot and Carcass 
Performance of Steers Fed Different Levels of E-Corn, a Potential New Feed Product from Ethanol Plants" 
(2010). Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports. 562. 
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/562 
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. 
Authors 
Corineah M. Godsey, Matt K. Luebbe, Joshua R. Benton, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Carlos 
Ibanez, Pablo Guiroy, Matthew A. Greenquist, and Jeff Kazin 
This article is available at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/
animalscinbcr/562 
© The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.  All rights reserved. 2010 Nebraska Beef Report  — Page 69 
Evaluation of Feedlot and Carcass Performance of Steers Fed 
Different Levels of E-Corn, a Potential New Feed Product 
from Ethanol Plants
Corineah M. Godsey
Matt K. Luebbe 
Josh R. Benton 
Galen E. Erickson
Terry J. Klopfenstein
Carlos Ibanez
Pablo Guiroy
Matt Greenquist
Jeff Kazin1
Summary
A pre-process fractionation produces 
a feed product called E-corn, which is 
low in fat and contains heat-treated 
starch. E-corn replaced dry rolled corn 
at 0, 20, 40, or 60% (DM basis) in fin-
ishing diets containing either 30% wet 
distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) 
or 30% wet corn gluten feed (WCGF). 
E-corn level x byproduct type inter-
actions were not observed. Dry matter 
intake increased quadratically to E-corn 
inclusion level (P = 0.04), while F:G 
responded cubically with 20% and 60% 
E-corn inclusion having the lowest F:G 
(P = 0.02). However, when E-corn level 
increased from 0 to 60% of diet DM, 
linear decreases in marbling, fat depth, 
and calculated yield grade were observed 
(P < 0.01). Steers fed WDGS had lower 
DMI (P < 0.01) and F:G (P = 0.02) 
compared to steers fed WCGF. It appears 
that optimal inclusion of E-corn is 20% 
of diet DM.
Introduction
Improving the efficiency of ethanol 
production has included refined mill-
ing processes by ethanol companies. 
One such refinement has led to either 
partial or complete fractionation of 
the germ, endosperm, and bran. In 
addition to increasing ethanol pro-
duction efficiency, opportunities may 
arise to develop “novel” byproducts 
intended for livestock feed use. Specif-
ically, the product E-corn was created 
as the remaining meal from the frac-
tionation of corn into the endosperm 
used for ethanol, and the germ, from 
which corn oil is extracted and sold as 
food-grade corn oil. Previous research 
on the use of E-corn in swine diets has 
shown a feeding value equal to that of 
corn. Therefore, it is hypothesized the 
use of E-corn in beef cattle finishing 
diets will yield similar cattle perfor-
mance and carcass characteristics 
compared to corn-based diets.
Procedure
A 153-day finishing trial was con-
ducted utilizing 120 crossbred yearling 
steers (BW = 821 ± 14 lb) in a random-
ized complete block design. Steers were 
fed individually using Calan electronic 
gates. Five days prior to initiation of 
the trial, steers were limit fed to mini-
mize variation in rumen fill (1:1 ratio 
of alfalfa hay and wet corn gluten feed 
at 2% BW). Steers were then weighed 
individually on days -1, 0, and 1 to 
determine initial BW. Animals were 
blocked by BW, stratified within block, 
and assigned randomly to one of eight 
treatments in one of four barns. Ani-
mal served as the experimental unit, 
and there were a total of 15 replications 
per treatment. 
Dietary treatments were designed 
as a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement (Table 
1), with the first factor being type of 
Table 1.  Dietary treatments for individually fed finishing steers to evaluate E-corn in diets containing 
either WCGF or WDGS.
  E-corn Level1
Ingredient 0 20 40 60
WCGF diets
Dry rolled corn 60.0 40.0 20.0 0.0
WCGF 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0
E-corn 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0
Stalks 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
Supplement2 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
Nutrient composition3
 Crude protein 14.5 14.6 14.8 15.0
 Fat 3.7 3.1 2.6 2.1
 Sulfur 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.27
 NDF 25.6 25.8 26.0 26.1
WDGS diets
Dry rolled corn 60.0 40.0 20.0 0.0
WDGS 30.0 30.0 30.0 30.0
E-corn 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0
Stalks 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
Supplement2 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
Nutrient composition3
 Crude protein 17.2 17.4 17.6 17.7
 Fat 6.3 5.8 5.3 4.7
 Sulfur 0.37 0.38 0.38 0.38
 NDF 25.6 25.7 25.9 26.0
1E-corn inclusion level represented as a percentage of diet DM.
2Formulated to contain 59.1% fine ground corn, 41.0% limestone, 6.0% salt, 1.0% beef trace mineral 
(10% Mg, 6% Zn, 4.5% Fe, 2% Mg, 0.5% Cu, 0.3% I, and 0.05% Co), 0.30% vitamin premix (1500 IU 
vitamin A, 3000 IU vitamin D, 3.7 IU vitamin E per g), 320 mg/hd/d monensin, 40g/lb thiamine, and 
90 mg/hd/d tylosin.
(Continued on next page)
Page 70 — 2010 Nebraska Beef Report  © The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.  All rights reserved.
Table 2. Steer performance when individually fed varying levels of E-corn for 153 days.
 E-corn Level1
Ingredient 0 20 40 60 Lin2 Quad3 Cub4 Int5
Live Performance
Initial BW, lb 819 821 822 821 0.81 0.82 0.97 0.99
Final BW6, lb 1280 1305 1270 1272 0.46 0.51 0.23 0.41
DMI, lb/d 21.6 22.0 22.3 21.0 0.37 0.04 0.35 0.93
ADG, lb 3.01 3.16 2.93 2.94 0.36 0.53 0.21 0.36
G:F 0.139 0.144  0.131  0.140  0.59 0.53 0.02 0.30
F:G7 7.19 6.94 7.63 7.14
Carcass Performance 
HCW, lb 806 822 800 801 0.45 0.50 0.23 0.41
Marbling score8  528 484 485 444 <0.01 0.94 0.25 0.92
12th rib fat, in 0.46 0.45 0.40 0.37 <0.01 0.72 0.61 0.64
LM area, in2 12.4 13.2 12.5 13.3 0.05 0.89 <0.01 0.07
Calculated YG9 3.25 3.03 3.04 2.70 <0.01 0.49 0.11 0.43
abcWithin a row means without a common superscript letter differ (P <  0.10).
1E-corn inclusion level represented on a % of diet DM basis.
2Contrast for the linear effect of E-corn level P-value.
3Contrast for the quadratic effect of E-corn level P-value.
4Contrast for the cubic effect of E-corn level P-value.
5Interaction between E-corn inclusion level and corn byproduct type P-value.
6Calculated from hot carcass weight, adjusted to a 63% yield.
7Calculated as 1/G:F .
8400 = Slight, 450 = Slight 50, 500 = Small 0, etc.
9Yield grade = 2.5 + 2.5(12th rib fat, in) – 0.32(LM area, in2) + 0.2(KPH fat, %) + 0.0038(HCW, lb).
Table 3.  Steer performance when individually fed either 30% wet distiller grains plus solubles (WDGS) 
or wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) for 153 days.
 TYPE
Ingredient WCGF WDGS SEM P-Value1
Initial BW, lb 823 818 20 .54
Final BW2, lb 1284 1279 6 0.75
DMI, lb/d 22.4 21.0 0.1 <0.01
ADG, lb 3.02 3.01 0.03 0.95
G:F 0.134 0.143 0.001 0.02
F:G3 7.46 6.99
HCW, lb 809 806 4 0.76
Marbling score4 488 483 12 0.76
12th rib fat, in 0.41 0.43 0.38 0.37
LM area, in2 13.0 12.7 1.0 0.29
Calculated YG5 2.95 3.06 0.06 0.17
1F-test statistic for the effect of byproduct type.
2Calculated from hot carcass weight, adjusted to a 63% yield.
3Calculated as 1/G:F.
4400 = Slight, 450 = Slight 50, 500 = Small 0, etc.
5Yield grade = 2.5 + 2.5(12th rib fat, in) – 0.32(LM area, in2) + 0.2(KPH fat, %) + 0.0038(HCW, lb).
corn byproduct utilized (WDGS or 
WCGF) and the second factor being 
level of E-corn inclusion (0, 20, 40 or 
60% diet DM). E-corn replaced DRC 
in all diets (on equal DM basis), and 
all diets contained 5% cornstalks and 
5% dry supplement. On day 28 of the 
experiment, calves were implanted 
with Revalor-S (Intervet, Millsboro, 
Del.). Throughout the course of 
the experiment, feed refusals were 
collected twice weekly, weighed and 
analyzed for DM content to determine 
accurate DMI. Feed ingredients were 
collected weekly, frozen, and stored 
until the conclusion of the trial and 
then composited by month and 
analyzed for DM, CP, fat, sulfur, and 
NDF content to determine nutrient 
composition of the diets. All steers 
were slaughtered on day 153 at Greater 
Omaha (Omaha, Neb.).  On the 
day of slaughter, hot carcass weight 
(HCW) and liver abscess data were 
recorded. Following a 48-hour chill, 
USDA marbling score, 12th rib fat 
thickness, and LM area data were 
collected. Hot carcass weights were 
used to calculate adjusted final BW by 
dividing HCW by a common dressing 
percentage (63%). Average daily gain 
and F:G were calculated from adjusted 
final BW. Yield grade was calculated 
using the USDA yield grade equation, 
yield grade = 2.5 + 2.5(12th rib fat 
thickness, in) – 0.32(LM area, in2) + 
0.2(KPH fat, %) + 0.0038 (HCW, lb).
Steer performance and carcass 
data were analyzed using the MIXED 
procedures of SAS (SAS Institute, 
Cary, N.C.). The model was designed 
to include corn byproduct type, 
E-corn inclusion level, and byproduct 
type x E-corn inclusion level inter-
action. Orthogonal contrasts were 
used to determine linear and 
quadratic effects of E-corn inclusion 
level. If a significant interaction 
existed, effects of E-corn were 
evaluated within byproduct type. 
When no interaction was observed, 
only the main effect of E-corn level 
was evaluated. 
Results
Corn Byproduct Type X E-Corn
Inclusion Level
No interaction between corn by-
product type and E-corn inclusion 
level was observed for steer perfor-
mance (P > 0.10). 
E-Corn Inclusion Level
Live steer performance and carcass 
characteristics for the effect of E-corn 
inclusion level are presented in Table 
2. Regardless of corn byproduct type, 
steers fed increasing levels of E-corn 
had similar final carcass adjusted 
body weights (P = 0.49). Intake 
responded quadratically to increasing 
© The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.  All rights reserved. 2010 Nebraska Beef Report  — Page 71 
inclusion of E-corn (P = 0.04). Steers 
that consumed 0 to 40% diet DM of 
E-corn had similar DMI, while steers 
consuming 60% diet DM E-corn had 
lower DMI. Alternatively, as the level 
of E-corn increased from 0 to 60% of 
the diet DM, no differences in ADG 
were observed (P > 0.10).
 Feed efficiency responded in a 
cubic manner as the level of E-corn 
inclusion increased from 0 to 60% of 
diet DM. Steers fed 20 or 60% E-corn 
had the numerically lowest F:G and 
were statistically similar (P = 0.52), 
while steers fed 0 or 40% E-corn had 
the poorest F:G. This would suggest 
that replacing DRC with E-corn at 
60% of the diet DM in diets contain-
ing corn byproducts would result in 
comparable live steer performance 
while potentially decreasing average 
DMI. 
Carcass weight was not affected 
by the increasing inclusion of E-corn 
(P = 0.49). However, as the level of 
E-corn increased, linear decreases 
in marbling score, fat depth, and 
calculated yield grade were observed 
(P <  0.01). When DRC was replaced 
by E-corn at 20% of the diet DM, 
decreases of 8.3, 2.2, and 6.8% in mar-
bling score, fat depth, and calculated 
YG were observed when compared 
to the DRC-based control. Similarly, 
when E-corn replaced all of the DRC 
(60% diet DM E-corn inclusion), 
decreases of 15.9, 19.6 and 16.9% in 
marbling score, fat depth, and calcu-
lated yield could be expected. Includ-
ing 40% of the diet DM as E-corn 
would show intermediate decreases in 
carcass characteristics, compared to 
20% or 60% E-corn inclusion.           
Corn Byproduct Type
Live steer performance and carcass 
characteristics for the effect of corn 
byproduct type inclusion are present-
ed in Table 3. Final carcass adjusted 
body weight was not different between 
steers consuming WDGS or WCGF 
(P = 0.75). Steers consuming WDGS 
had lower DMI than steers consuming 
WCGF (P < 0.01), while maintaining 
similar ADG (P > 0.10). As a result, 
steers consuming WDGS had a 6% 
improvement in feed efficiency versus 
steers consuming WCGF (P = 0.02). 
Carcass characteristics were unaffect-
ed by corn byproduct type (P > 0.10).
The feeding value of E-corn was 
maximized (118% the relative value of 
corn) at 20% diet DM; total replace-
ment of DRC with E-corn at 60% diet 
DM showed only a minimal improve-
ment in the feeding value of E-corn 
versus DRC (101% the relative value of 
corn). This could be due to the total 
replacement of corn, which contains 
more fat and thereby decreases the 
total energy value of the diet. Fur-
thermore, decreasing the total energy 
content of the diet appears to have 
had the greatest impact on carcass 
characteristics, and reducing the fat 
content of the diet compromised mar-
bling score, fat depth, and calculated 
yield grade, indicating a lower degree 
of finish compared to including DRC 
only in the diet. 
It could be hypothesized that while 
carcass adjusted final body weight 
was similar across E-corn inclusion 
levels, additional days on feed may be 
required to reach the same degree of 
finish. Additionally, it appears that 
inclusion of E-corn with WDGS would 
reduce DMI but maintain F:G, and 
optimum performance can be expect-
ed at 20% E-corn diet DM inclusion. 
It is unclear why the inclusion of 
E-corn had such profound impacts 
on carcass finish while not negatively 
impacting DMI, ADG, or F:G. The 
fact that there was no difference in 
ADG and F:G between 0 and 60% 
E-corn inclusion suggests E-corn 
may replace corn in diets contain-
ing WDGS or WCGF; however, fur-
ther research is necessary to explain 
decreases in marbling score, fat depth, 
and YG (with no effect on HCW).
1Corineah M. Godsey, graduate student, 
Matt K. Luebbe, technician, Josh R. Benton, 
technician, Galen E. Erickson, associate 
professor, Terry J. Klopfenstein, professor, 
Animal Science, University of Nebraska,  
Lincoln, Neb.;  Carlos Ibanez, Pablo Guiroy, and 
Matt Greenquist, Cargill, Inc., Wayzata, Minn.; 
Jeff Kazin, Renessen LLC, Wayzata, Minn.


https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1560&context=animalscinbcr

Evaluation of Feedlot and Carcass Performance of Steers Fed Different Levels of E-Corn, a Potential New Feed Product from Ethanol Plants

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