Evaluation of the effects of pine-sourced biochar on cattle performance and methane and carbon dioxide production from growing and finishing steers.

A feedlot growing (77-d) and finishing (111-d) experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding biochar on steer performance, methane and carbon dioxide emissions, and carcass characteristics. Two treatments were evaluated, a control diet without biochar and the same diet with biochar included at 0.8% of dietary DM (growing) or 1.0% of dietary DM (finishing). The growing diet consisted of 40% corn silage, 40% wheat straw, 15% modified distillers grains plus solubles, and 5% supplement, with 0.8% biochar replacing fine ground corn in supplement. The finishing diet consisted of 55% high-moisture corn (HMC), 35% Sweet Bran, 5% wheat straw, and 5% supplement, with biochar replacing 1.0% HMC and added as an ingredient. Biochar was sourced from ponderosa pine wood waste (High Plains Biochar, Laramie, WY) and was 83% C with 426 m2/g surface area for both experiments. Crossbred steers were utilized in the growing (n = 160; initial BW = 363 kg; SD = 16 kg) and finishing (n = 128; initial; BW = 480 kg; SD = 17 kg) experiments, blocked by BW, and assigned randomly to 16 pens. Pens were assigned randomly to one of two treatments (biochar vs. control) with eight replications per treatment. Four pen replications per treatment were paired within BW block and rotated randomly through an emissions barn with two chambers (each treatment was evaluated simultaneously and for two rotations) to capture average weekly emissions of CH4 and CO2. Pen was the experimental unit and chamber was included as a fixed effect for emissions data. There were no statistical differences (P ≥ 0.23) in performance outcomes between treatments for the growing experiment. Dry matter intake (DMI; P < 0.01) and average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.02) were 2.2% and 5.9% lower for biochar-fed steers in the finishing experiment, respectively, resulting in a lighter hot carcass weight (P = 0.10) and lower calculated USDA yield grade (P = 0.02). Emissions of CH4 and CO2 were not affected by biochar inclusion in the growing (P ≥ 0.22) or finishing experiment (P ≥ 0.60). Results from these experiments show no indication that feeding biochar, supplemented at 0.8% (growing), and 1.0% (finishing) of the diet DM, reduces methane emissions in growing or finishing cattle.

Effects of Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn containing an α-amylase trait on finishing cattle performance and carcass characteristics.

Two experiments evaluated the effects of feeding a new corn hybrid, containing an α-amylase enzyme trait, Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn (SYT-EFC), on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics at two locations. Experiment 1 utilized 300 calffed steers (298.5 ± 16.3 kg of BW) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center Mead, NE. Treatments were designed as a 2 × 2 + 1-factorial arrangement with factors consisting of 1) corn type (SYT-EFC or conventional [CON]) and 2) byproduct type (with or without Sweet Bran [SB]), or a BLEND of STY-EFC and CON without SB. In Exp. 2, 240 crossbred, calf-fed steers (287.6 ± 15.4 kg of BW) were utilized at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research and Extension Center near Scottsbluff, NE. Steers were fed SYT-EFC, CON, BLEND, or CON with a commercial α-amylase enzyme supplement (CON-E). In Exp. 1, there was an interaction for ADG (P = 0.05) and G:F (P = 0.02). Steers fed SYT-EFC with SB had greater ADG and G:F than CON; however, in diets without SB, SYT-EFC and CON were not different resulting in a 10.1% change in G:F when steers were fed SYT-EFC in SB compared with CON and only 1.6% change between SYT-EFC and CON without SB. Energy values, based on performance data, resulted in a 6.5% and 8.3% change in NEm and NEg, respectively, for steers fed SYT-EFC and CON with SB and 1.6% change for both NEm and NEg for steers fed SYT-EFC and CON without SB. For the main effect of corn trait, steers fed SYT-EFC had greater marbling scores, fat depth, and calculated yield grade compared with CON (P ≤ 0.03). In diets without SB, there was no difference between SYT-EFC, CON, or BLEND for DMI, final BW, ADG, G:F, NEm, or NEg (P ≥ 0.35). In Exp. 2, cattle fed SYT-EFC, BLEND, or CON-E had greater final BW, ADG, and G:F than cattle fed CON (P ≤ 0.03). On average, NEm and NEg were 4.9% and 7.0% greater, respectively, for steers fed amylase enzyme treatments compared with CON (P ≤ 0.01). Hot carcass weights were greater in steers fed α-amylase treatments compared with CON (P < 0.01). Feeding Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn, which contains an α-amylase enzyme trait, at both locations improved feed efficiency in finishing cattle diets containing WDGS or SB.

Finishing performance and diet digestibility for feedlot steers fed corn distillers grains plus solubles and distillers solubles with and without oil extraction.

Three experiments evaluated the effects of corn oil removal using centrifugation in ethanol plants, on animal performance and digestion characteristics by finishing cattle fed by-products. In Exp. 1, 225 crossbred steers (300 ± 9.1 kg) were utilized in a randomized block design with a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors consisted of oil concentration [de-oiled (DO) or full fat (FF)] and by-product type [condensed distillers solubles (CDS) or modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS)] compared to a corn-based control. Fat concentration was 6.0% for DO CDS, 21.1% for FF CDS, 9.2% for DO MDGS, and 11.8% for FF MDGS. No oil concentration by by-product type interactions (P ≥ 0.17) were observed. There were no differences in DMI, ADG, or G:F between DO and FF CDS (P ≥ 0.29) or DO and FF MDGS (P ≥ 0.58). No differences (P ≥ 0.25) due to oil concentration were observed for carcass characteristics. Experiment 2 was a 5 × 5 Latin Square digestion trial with treatments similar to Exp. 1. Fat concentration was 8.7% or 15.4% for DO or FF CDS and 9.2% or 12.3% for DO or FF MDGS. Intake and total tract digestibility of fat were greater (P ≤ 0.02) for FF CDS compared with DO CDS. Digestible energy (megacalorie per kilogram), adjusted for intake, was greater (P = 0.02) for steers fed FF CDS compared to DO CDS. Average ruminal pH for cattle fed FF MDGS was greater than DO MDGS (P = 0.06). In Exp. 3, 336 yearling, crossbred steers (352 ± 19 kg) were utilized in a randomized block design with a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors included oil concentration (DO or FF) and inclusion [35%, 50%, and 65% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS)] along with a corn-based control. The fat concentrations of DO and FF WDGS were 7.9% and 12.4%, respectively. A linear interaction (P < 0.01) was observed for DMI, which produced different slopes for DO and FF WDGS. No linear or quadratic interactions were observed for BW, ADG, or G:F (P ≥ 0.31). For the main effect of oil concentration, there were no statistical differences (P > 0.19) for final BW, ADG, or G:F. No statistical differences were observed for all carcass traits (P ≥ 0.34). Corn oil removal via centrifugation had minimal impact on finishing performance suggesting that cattle fed DO by-products will have similar performance to cattle fed FF by-products in dry-rolled and high-moisture corn diets.

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of dietary fibre from distillers grains on enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli detection from the rectoanal mucosa and hides of feedlot steers.

Feeding high levels (≥40% dry matter) of distillers grains may increase the risk for cattle to carry enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157. The mechanism for the increased risk is not known nor whether non-O157 EHEC are similarly affected. Our objective was to test whether the fibre content or other components of modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) affects the probability for cattle to carry EHEC serogroups of public health importance. A 2 × 2 plus 1 factorial treatment arrangement within a randomized block design was utilized. Within each of four blocks, 25 feedlot pens (n = 8 steers/pen) were assigned randomly to (i) corn-based control diet; (ii) 20% dry matter (DM) MDGS; (iii) 40% DM MDGS; (iv) corn bran added to corn-based diet to match fibre of 20% MDGS or (v) 40% MDGS. Rectoanal mucosa swabs (RAMS) were collected on day (d)0, d35, d70 and d105; hide swabs were collected on the last feeding day. Samples were tested for EHEC by a molecular screening assay. The effects of fibre source and fibre level on EHEC carriage were tested using multilevel logistic regression (generalized linear mixed models; α = 0.05). EHEC O45 RAMS detection was associated with fibre level, source and sampling day. EHEC O103 RAMS detection increased by feeding 40% MDGS but not the corresponding corn bran diet. Hide contamination by EHEC O45 or O103 was less likely in cattle fed MDGS compared to corn bran diets. EHEC O111 RAMS detection decreased by feeding 40% MDGS but not by feeding the corresponding corn bran diet. Detection of EHEC O157 or O145 was not associated with dietary factors. Feeding 40% MDGS increased the probability for carriage of some EHEC serogroups but decreased probability of others, which indicated that EHEC serogroups have different risk factors associated with feeding MDGS and little association with dietary fibre.

Effects of finishing diets containing wet distillers grains plus solubles on beef quality attributes and fatty acid profile.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) on quality attributes of three beef muscles (longissimus lumborum, psoas major, and infraspinatus). Ninety-six, yearlings crossbred steers were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments (Corn, 15%, or 30% WDGS - DM basis) and fed for 133 d. No significant differences were observed in marbling score (P=0.89), marbling texture (P=0.70), and marbling distribution (P=0.36). Greater concentrations of PUFA and lower levels of 18:1(n-7) were observed in beef from steers fed 30% WDGS when compared to other treatments. Lipid oxidation was also greater in beef from steers fed 30% WDGS (P≤0.05). No significant differences were observed in sensorial attributes and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) for all muscles (P>0.05). Feeding WDGS increased PUFA and lipid oxidation, which may lead to shorter shelf life.

Use of a complete starter feed in grain adaptation programs for feedlot cattle.

Four experiments evaluated the use of a complete starter feed (RAMP; Cargill Corn Milling, Blair, NE) for grain adaptation. In Exp. 1, 229 yearling steers (397 ± 28.4 kg BW) were used to compare a traditional adaptation program (CON) with adapting cattle with RAMP in either a 1- (RAMP-1RS) or 2- (RAMP-2RS) ration system. From d 23 to slaughter, cattle were fed a common finishing diet. In Exp. 2, 390 yearling steers (341 ± 14 kg BW) were used to compare accelerated grain adaptation programs with RAMP with 2 control treatments where RAMP was blended with a finishing diet containing either 25 (CON25) or 47.5% (CON47) Sweet Bran (Cargill Corn Milling) in 4 steps fed over 24 d to adapt cattle. Rapid adaptation treatments involved feeding RAMP for 10 d followed by a blend of RAMP and a 47% Sweet Bran finishing diet to transition cattle with 3 blends fed for 1 d each (3-1d), 2 blends fed for 2 d each (2-2d), or 1 blend fed for 4 d (1-4d). From d 29 to slaughter, all cattle were fed a common finishing diet. In Exp. 3, 300 steer calves (292 ± 21 kg BW) were used to compare the CON47 and 1-4d adaptation programs with directly transitioning cattle from RAMP, which involved feeding RAMP for 10 d and then switching directly to F1 on d 11 (1-STEP). From d 29 until slaughter, F2 was fed to all cattle. In Exp. 4, 7 ruminally fistulated steers (482 ± 49 kg BW) were used in a 35-d trial to compare the CON47 and 1-STEP adaptation programs. Ruminal pH and intake data from the first 6 d of F1and first 6 d of F2 were used to compare adaptation systems. Adaptation with RAMP-1RS and RAMP-2RS increased ( < 0.01) G:F compared with cattle adapted using CON in Exp. 1. Feeding RAMP-1RS increased ADG ( = 0.03) compared with CON. Intakes were similar ( = 0.39) among treatments. Daily gain, DMI, G:F, and carcass traits were similar ( > 0.11) among treatments in Exp. 2. Daily gain, DMI, and G:F were not different ( > 0.20) among treatments on d 39 or over the entire feeding period in Exp. 3. When F1 or F2 was being fed, DMI was similar ( ≥ 0.40) for CON47 and 1-STEP in Exp. 4. When F1 or F2 was being fed, 1-STEP cattle had lower average ruminal pH ( ≤ 0.03) and greater time below a pH of 5.3 ( ≤ 0.03). Using RAMP for grain adaptation improved performance compared with traditional adaptation. Rapid adaptation with RAMP decreased pH, but no performance differences were observed between long and rapid RAMP adaptation programs. Therefore, cattle started on RAMP do not require extensive adaptation before feeding a finishing diet with Sweet Bran.

Impact of microbial efficiency to predict MP supply when estimating protein requirements of growing beef cattle from performance.

Data from 16 trials were compiled to calculate microbial CP (MCP) production and MP requirements of growing cattle on high-forage diets. All cattle were individually fed diets with 28% to 72% corn cobs in addition to either alfalfa, corn silage, or sorghum silage at 18% to 60% of the diet (DM basis). The remainder of the diet consisted of protein supplement. Source of protein within the supplement varied and included urea, blood meal, corn gluten meal, dry distillers grains, feather meal, meat and bone meal, poultry by-product meal, soybean meal, and wet distillers grains. All trials included a urea-only treatment. Intake of all cattle within an experiment was held constant, as a percentage of BW, established by the urea-supplemented group. In each trial the base diet (forage and urea supplement) was MP deficient. Treatments consisted of increasing amounts of test protein replacing the urea supplement. As protein in the diet increased, ADG plateaued. Among experiments, ADG ranged from 0.11 to 0.73 kg. Three methods of calculating microbial efficiency were used to determine MP supply. Gain was then regressed against calculated MP supply to determine MP requirement for maintenance and gain. Method 1 (based on a constant 13% microbial efficiency as used by the beef NRC model) predicted an MP maintenance requirement of 3.8 g/kg BW and 385 g MP/kg gain. Method 2 calculated microbial efficiency using low-quality forage diets and predicted MP requirements of 3.2 g/kg BW for maintenance and 448 g/kg for gain. Method 3 (based on an equation predicting MCP yield from TDN intake, proposed by the Beef Cattle Nutrient Requirements Model [BCNRM]) predicted MP requirements of 3.1 g/kg BW for maintenance and 342 g/kg for gain. The factorial method of calculating MP maintenance requirements accounts for scurf, endogenous urinary, and metabolic fecal protein losses and averaged 4.2 g/kg BW. Cattle performance data demonstrate formulating diets to meet the beef NRC model recommended MP maintenance requirement (3.8 g/kg S) works well when using 13% microbial efficiency. Therefore, a change in how microbial efficiency is calculated necessitates a change in the proposed MP maintenance requirement to not oversupply or undersupply RUP. Using the 2016 BCNRM to predict MCP production and formulate diets to meet MP requirements also requires changing the MP maintenance requirement to 3.1 g/kg BW.

Impact of feeding de-oiled wet distillers grains plus solubles on beef shelf life.

Research was conducted to determine the effect of feeding de-oiled wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) on beef fatty acid profile, retail shelf life and development of oxidation products during retail display (RD). A total of 336 crossbred yearling steers (initial BW = 351.08 ± 19.05 kg) were fed 1 of 7 dietary treatments: an all corn control (1:1 blend of dry rolled and high moisture corn), 35%, 50%, or 65% inclusion of WDGS, either full-fat or de-oiled. Within each treatment 15 Choice carcasses were randomly selected ( = 105), strip loins were obtained, aged 7 and 21 d, and representative steaks from each strip loin were placed in RD conditions for 7 d. Fatty acid profiles were determined (mg/100 g tissue basis) and differences ( ≤ 0.05) were found in the C16:1, C18:1T, C18:2 and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) among dietary treatments. Palmitoleic acid (C16:1) was predominant ( < 0.0001) in the corn control group, intermediate in the 35% de-oiled WDGS group, but no differences ( > 0.05) were observed between all other diets. Elaidic acid (C18:1T) was greater ( = 0.01) in the 65% full-fat WDGS group, least for the corn control group, and intermediate for all other diets. Linoleic acid (C18:2) was greater ( = 0.0001) in all 3 full-fat WDGS groups and 65% de-oiled WDGS group (290.98 mg/100 g, on average), intermediate in the 50% and 35% de-oiled WDGS groups (231.08 and 227.16 mg/100 g, respectively) and least for the corn control group (177.70 mg/100 g). The PUFA content was greater ( < 0.01) in all 3 full-fat WDGS groups and 65% de-oiled WDGS group (337.13 mg/100 g, on average), intermediate in the 50% and 35% de-oiled WGDS groups (274.77 and 273.84 mg/100 g, respectively) and least for the corn control group (223.98 mg/100 g). Dietary treatment did not alter discoloration ( = 0.30) or lipid oxidation ( = 0.36). Shear force decreased with age and RD ( < 0.0001) but dietary treatment had no effect on shear force ( = 0.93). In general, feeding 35% and 50% de-oiled WDGS had intermediate PUFA content relative to a corn control or full-fat WDGS diet. Feeding de-oiled WDGS did not seem to increase beef shelf life and does not negatively alter beef quality parameters in relation to full-fat WDGS.

Evaluation of ractopamine hydrochloride (Optaflexx) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing steers across different feeding durations.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) dose and duration on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing steers. In Exp. 1, 336 crossbred steers (initial BW of RAC feeding = 539 kg [SD 22]) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with one factor being RAC dose (0 or 200 mg/steer daily) and the other factor being RAC duration (28 or 42 d prior to harvest). There were no RAC dose × duration interactions ( ≥ 0.08) for growth performance or carcass characteristics. Feeding 200 mg RAC/steer daily increased ( < 0.01) live final BW by 9.0 kg compared with steers not fed RAC. Carcass-adjusted final BW, ADG, and G:F were greater ( < 0.01) for steers fed 200 mg RAC/d compared with steers not fed RAC. Hot carcass weight was 4.7 kg heavier ( < 0.01) for steers fed 200 mg RAC/d compared with steers not fed RAC. In Exp. 2, crossbred steers ( = 576; experiment initial BW = 408 kg [SD 29]) were used in a randomized block design with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors included RAC dose (0, 300, and 400 mg/steer daily) and RAC duration (14, 28, or 42 d prior to harvest). There was a tendency ( ≤ 0.08) for an interaction of RAC dose × duration for final live BW, DMI, and live G:F; therefore, simple effects are presented. At 28 d, live final BW for steers fed 400 mg RAC/d were heavier ( < 0.01) than for steers fed 0 mg RAC/d. There was a tendency at 28 d for increased live final BW for steers fed RAC at 300 mg/d ( = 0.08) compared with steers fed RAC at 0 mg and for steers fed 400 mg RAC/d compared with steers fed 300 mg RAC/d ( = 0.06). Live final BW was greater ( < 0.01) for steers fed RAC for 42 d at 300 and 400 mg/d compared with steers fed 0 mg; however, live final BW was similar ( = 0.48) between steers fed 300 and 400 mg RAC/d. Despite no RAC dose × duration interaction ( = 0.30) for HCW, simple effects will be presented for consistency. Hot carcass weight was greater for steers fed 300 and 400 mg RAC/d for 28 and 42 d compared with steers fed 0 mg at 28 ( ≤ 0.02) and 42 d ( < 0.01). Feeding 300 mg RAC/d for 28 or 42 d increased HCW by 5.1 and 7.6 kg, respectively, compared with steers fed 0 mg RAC. Additionally, feeding 400 mg RAC/d for 28 or 42 d resulted in increases of 8.9 and 9.4 kg, respectively, in HCW compared with steers fed 0 mg RAC. In conclusion, our results confirm that feeding RAC improves growth performance and carcass weight, with an optimal duration of feeding RAC being 28 d.

Effects of agronomic factors on yield and quality of whole corn plants and the impact of feeding high concentrations of corn silage in diets containing distillers grains to finishing cattle.

Corn plants were sampled over 2 consecutive years to assess the effects of corn hybrid maturity class, plant population, and harvest time on whole corn plant quality and yield in Nebraska. A finishing experiment evaluated the substitution of corn with corn silage in diets with corn modified distillers grains with solubles (MDGS). The first 2 harvest dates were at the mid- and late-silage harvest times whereas the final harvest was at the grain harvest stage of plant maturity. Whole plant yields increased as harvest time progressed (yr 1 quadratic P < 0.01; yr 2 linear P < 0.01). However, differences in TDN concentration in both years were quite minimal across harvest time, because grain percentage increased but residue NDF in-situ disappearance decreased as harvest time was delayed. In the finishing experiment, as corn silage inclusion increased from 15 to 55% (DM basis) by replacing dry rolled and high moisture corn grain with corn silage in diets containing 40% MDGS, DMI, ADG, and G:F linearly decreased (P ≤ 0.01), with the steers on the 15% corn silage treatment being 1.5%, 5.0%, and 7.7% more efficient than steers on treatments containing 30, 45, and 55% corn silage, respectively. Calculated dietary NEm and NEg decreased linearly as corn silage inclusion increased indicating that net energy values were greater for corn grain than for corn silage. In addition, dressing percentage decreased linearly (P < 0.01) as silage inclusion increased suggesting more fill as silage inclusion increases in diets. Cattle fed greater than 15% corn silage in finishing diets based on corn grain will gain slower and be slightly less efficient and likely require increased days to market at similar carcass fatness and size. When 30% silage was fed with 65% MDGS, DMI, and ADG were decreased (P < 0.01) compared to feeding 30% silage with 40% MDGS suggesting some benefit to including a proportion of corn in the diet. Conversely, when 45% silage was fed with 40% MDGS, ADG, and G:F were greater (P < 0.04) than when 45% silage was fed with just grain implying a greater energy value for MDGS than for corn grain. Substituting corn silage for corn grain in finishing diets decreased ADG and G:F which would increase days to finish to an equal carcass weight; however, in this experiment, increasing corn silage levels with MDGS present reduced carcass fat thickness without significantly decreasing marbling score.

Digestibility and performance of steers fed varying inclusions of corn silage and modified distillers grains with solubles to partially replace corn in finishing diets.

Two finishing and 1 digestibility experiment evaluated the partial substitution of corn with corn silage and corn modified distillers grains with solubles (MDGS). Steers were used in Exp. 1 (n = 295; 467 ± 52 kg) and Exp. 2 (n = 225; BW = 348 ± 27 kg) in a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement of treatments with factors including corn silage (15 or 45%) and MDGS (20 or 40%) plus a control diet consisting of 5% cornstalks and 40% MDGS. In Exp. 1, there were tendencies for a corn silage × MDGS interaction for ADG, final BW, and G:F (P ≤ 0.08). In the overall F-test for G:F, there were no differences between the control treatment and 15:20, 15:40, or 45:40 (P ≥ 0.15), however, steers fed the control treatment had increased G:F compared to steers fed 45:20 treatment diets (P = 0.03). In Exp. 2, there were no corn silage × MDGS interactions (P ≥ 0.12). As corn silage increased in the diet, ADG, final BW, and G:F decreased (P ≤ 0.01). As MDGS increased from 20 to 40%, ADG and G:F tended to improve (P ≤ 0.07). In the overall F-test, the control was not different for G:F from 15:20, 45:20, or 45:40 (P ≥ 0.15), but had a 4.8% poorer G:F compared to 15:40 (P < 0.01). In Exp. 3, ruminally fistulated steers (n = 6) were used in a 5 × 6 Latin rectangle design and fed 15 or 45% corn silage with 20 or 40% MDGS as a 2 × 2 factorial. An additional diet consisting of 95% corn silage and 5% supplement was fed. There were no corn silage × MDGS interactions for nutrient intake, total tract digestibility, ruminal pH measurements, acetate: propionate ratio (A:P), or in-situ disappearance data (P ≥ 0.31) for the 2 × 2 factorial. As corn silage increased in the diet, DMI, NDF intake, ruminal pH, A:P, in-situ NDF disappearance of corn bran, and DM disappearance of corn increased (P ≤ 0.09) with decreases in DM and OM digestibility (P ≤ 0.03). As MDGS increased in the diet, there was an increase in NDF intake, total volatile fatty acid concentration, and NDF disappearance of corn bran (P ≤ 0.03) with no differences for any other tested variables (P ≥ 0.13). In general, increasing corn silage in place of corn in finishing diets containing MDGS results in a modest reduction in ADG and G:F with increases in ruminal pH.

Serum blood metabolite response and evaluation of select organ weight, histology, and cardiac morphology of beef heifers exposed to a dual corticotropin-releasing hormone and vasopressin challenge following supplementation of zilpaterol hydrochloride.

The objectives of this study were 1) to determine if supplementation of zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) altered select organ weights, histology, and cardiac anatomical features at harvest and 2) to determine if administration of a corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and vasopressin (VP) challenge following 20 d of ZH supplementation altered the blood chemistry profile in cattle. Crossbred heifers ( = 20; 556 ± 7 kg BW) were randomized into 2 treatment groups: 1) control (CON), without ZH, and 2) zilpaterol (ZIL; ZH at 8.33 mg/kg [DM basis] for 20 d). On d 20 of supplementation, heifers were fitted with indwelling jugular catheters. On d 24, starting at 0800 h and continuing until 1600 h, blood samples were collected at 60-min intervals. At 1000 h, heifers received an i.v. bolus of CRH (0.3 µg/kg BW) and VP (1.0 µg/kg BW) to activate the stress axis. Serum was separated and stored at -80°C until analyzed for a large-animal chemistry panel. Following the CRH/VP challenge, heifers were harvested on d 25, 26, and 27 (5, 6, and 7 d after ZH supplementation); BW, HCW, select organ weights, and histology were measured, and a total heart necropsy was performed. A treatment effect ( ≤ 0.02) was observed for Ca, K, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, and sorbitol dehydrogenase. Zilpaterol-fed heifers had decreased ( ≤ 0.02) concentrations of Ca and K and increased concentrations ( 0.01) of creatinine ( = 0.02) during the CRH/VP challenge when compared to control heifers. Control heifers had greater ( ≤ 0.05) alkaline phosphatase and sorbitol dehydrogenase concentrations when compared with ZIL heifers. A treatment × time interaction ( = 0.02) was observed for P; concentrations were similar between treatments from -2 to 6 h postchallenge, and 7 h postchallenge CON heifers had decreased P. Liver ( = 0.06) and kidney ( = 0.08) weights as a percentage of BW tended ( ≤ 0.08) to be reduced in ZIL heifers. Gross liver weights tended ( = 0.08) to be lower in ZIL heifers. Other organ (heart, lung, adrenals) to BW ratios remained similar ( ≥ 0.41). These data suggest that there are some variations observed between treatments in terms of response to ZH supplementation and the CRH/VP challenge; however, in the environmental conditions of this study, limited variation in blood metabolic responses and organ weights suggests that the supplementation of ZH did not detrimentally alter the physiology of cattle.

Case Study: Supplementation of cow-calf pairs grazing smooth bromegrass pastures with ethanol by-products and low-quality forages.

Multiparous, lactating, crossbred (Simmental × Angus) beef cows with spring-born calves at side (n = 16 per year; 4 per pasture) were used each of 3 yr to evaluate supplementing modified distillers grains plus solubles mixed with low-quality forage on cow and calf performance while grazing. Cow-calf pairs were assigned randomly to treatment with 2 replications (pasture) per year for 3 yr. Treatments were (1) recommended stocking rate of 9.46 animal-unit month/ha with no supplementation (CON) or (2) double the recommended stocking rate (18.9 animal-unit month/ha) and supplemented with a 30:70 modified distillers grains plus solubles:cornstalks (DM) mixture (SUPP). To replace 50% of grazed forage DMI, SUPP pairs were fed an average of 1.13% of BW (DM) over the grazing season. Pairs grazed adjacent smooth bromegrass pastures for 130 d during the summer. Gain was not different (P = 0.19) between SUPP and CON cows (0.28 vs. 0.19 kg/d, respectively). Ending cow BW was not affected (P = 0.46) by treatment. Similarly, calf gain was not affected (P = 0.31) by supplementation. In studies where confined cow-calf pairs were fed average-quality (IVDMD = 52.9%) forage, DMI was 2.58% of pair BW. Based on these data, CON and SUPP pairs consumed 18.6 and 19.1 kg of DM, respectively, of total feed per pair daily. The SUPP pairs consumed 7.1 kg of DM/pair daily of the supplement, replacing approximately 35% of grazed forage intake. These data suggest mixtures of ethanol co-products and low-quality forages can be supplemented to replace grazed forage intake of cattle, allowing for increased stocking rate without affecting animal performance.

Effects of processing treated corn stover and distillers' grains on performance and total tract digestion of finishing cattle.

Two studies evaluated effects of replacing corn with a pellet containing alkaline treated corn stover, dried distillers' grains plus solubles (DDGS), and distillers' solubles on total tract digestion and performance of finishing cattle. Experiment 1 used 4 ruminally fistulated steers in a 4 × 6 Latin rectangle to evaluate total tract digestion. Treatments consisted of a control (CON) containing 50.3% dry-rolled corn (DRC), 40% modified distillers' grains plus solubles (MDGS), and 5% untreated corn stover. The next 2 treatments replaced 25% DRC (DM basis) with either a CaO-treated stover pellet (STOVPEL) or a pellet consisting of 64% CaO-treated corn stover, 18% DDGS, and 18% corn distillers' solubles (COMBPEL). The last treatment replaced 25% DRC with a mixture of feeds: 10% treated stover pellet, 10% DDGS, and 5% distillers' solubles (COMB). Experiment 2 used 336 crossbred steer calves (301 ± 25 kg initial BW) in a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial to evaluate effects of replacing corn with a pellet containing 64% CaO-treated corn stover, 18% DDGS, and 18% corn distillers' solubles on finishing performance. Factors included level of MDGS (20 or 40%) and pellet inclusion (10, 20, or 30%). The CON diet contained a 50:50 blend of DRC and high-moisture corn and 40% MDGS. All diets contained 5% wheat straw and 4% dry meal supplement. In Exp. 1, no differences ( ≥ 0.50) were observed between the CON, STOVPEL, COMB, or COMBPEL treatments for DM (76.5, 75.4, 72.5, and 78.0%, respectively; SEM 2.5) or OM (79.1, 79.7, 75.7, and 80.5%, respectively; SEM 2.4) digestibility. In Exp. 2, a linear increase ( = 0.03) in DMI was observed as pellet inclusion increased from 0% in the CON (10.6 kg/d [SE 0.13]) to 30% (11.0 kg/d [SE 0.13]) in treatments containing 40% MDGS. A quadratic response ( = 0.03) in DMI was observed as pellet inclusion increased in diets containing 20% MDGS due to greater DMI of the 20% pellet treatment. A linear decrease ( = 0.03) in G:F was observed as the level of pellet inclusion increased from 0 (0.182 [SE 0.02]) to 30% (0.175 [SE 0.02]) in diets containing 40% MDGS. In diets containing 20% MDGS, no differences ( ≥ 0.22) in G:F were observed as pellet inclusion increased from 10 to 30%. In conclusion, replacing up to 20% of corn (DM basis) in diets containing 20% MDGS had minimal impact on performance. Conversely, up to 30% of corn could be replaced in diets containing 40% MDGS with little impact on performance.

The metabolic, stress axis, and hematology response of zilpaterol hydrochloride supplemented beef heifers when exposed to a dual corticotropin-releasing hormone and vasopressin challenge.

The objective of this study was to determine the metabolic, stress, and hematology response of beef heifers supplemented with zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) when exposed to an endocrine stress challenge. Heifers ( = 20; 556 ± 7 kg BW) were randomized into 2 treatment groups: 1) control (CON), no ZH supplementation, and 2) zilpaterol (ZIL), supplemented with ZH at 8.33 mg/kg (DM basis). The ZIL group was supplemented ZH for 20 d, with a 3-d withdrawal period. On d 24, heifers received an intravenous bolus of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH; 0.3 µg/kg BW) and arginine vasopressin (VP; 1.0 µg/kg BW) to activate the stress axis. Blood samples were collected at 30-min intervals for serum and 60-min intervals for plasma and whole blood, from -2 to 8 h relative to the challenge at 0 h (1000 h). Samples were analyzed for glucose, insulin, NEFA, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and complete blood cell counts. Following the challenge, cattle were harvested over a 3-d period. Liver, LM, and biceps femoris (BF) samples were collected and analyzed for glucose, lactate, and glycolytic potential (GP). There was a treatment ( ≤ 0.001) effect for vaginal temperature (VT), with ZIL having a 0.1°C decrease in VT when compared with CON. A treatment × time effect ( = 0.002) was observed for NEFA. A treatment effect was observed for BUN; ZIL had decreased BUN concentrations compared with CON ( < 0.001) prior to the challenge; however, no treatment × time effect was observed. There was also a treatment effect for cortisol ( ≤ 0.01) and epinephrine ( = 0.003); ZIL had decreased cortisol and epinephrine during the CRH/VP challenge when compared with CON. There was a time effect for total white blood cells, lymphocytes, and monocytes; each variable increased ( ≤ 0.01) 2 h postchallenge. Additionally, neutrophil counts decreased ( ≤ 0.01) in response to CRH/VP challenge in both treatment groups. Glucose concentrations within the LM were greater ( = 0.03) in CON when compared with ZIL. Lactate concentrations and GP within the BF were greater in CON ( = 0.05) when compared with ZIL. These data suggest there are some variations observed between treatments in terms of response to the CRH/VP challenge; however, in the environmental conditions of this trial, none of the variations observed suggest that the supplementation of ZH detrimentally alters the ability of cattle to effectively respond to stressful stimuli.

The effects of zilpaterol hydrochloride and shade on blood metabolites of finishing beef steers.

The effects of feeding zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) and shade were evaluated on blood metabolites in finishing beef steers ( = 480). Cattle were fed 0 or 8.33 mg/kg of diet DM ZH for 21 d with a 3- or 4-d withdrawal before harvest and were housed in open or shaded pens. Blood samples were collected the day before ZH was fed and on the day the cattle were shipped to the commercial abattoir. Lactate concentration was not different between cattle fed ZH in open or shaded pens ( = 0.12). Nonetheless, a tendency for a diet × time interaction was detected for lactate concentration ( = 0.09), in which it was greater in cattle fed the control diet in open pens before being fed ZH. Cortisol concentration was less before and after ZH was fed ( = 0.01). Glucose was greater for cattle fed the control diet than cattle fed ZH for 21 d ( = 0.03). Cattle fed in open vs. shaded pens did not differ in glucose concentration ( = 0.12), whereas glucose concentrations were greater before ZH was fed than after ( = 0.02). In contrast, plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) concentration was not different in response to diet ( = 0.24), housing type ( = 0.65), or before vs. after being fed ZH ( = 0.60). Lactate concentrations were not different across diet or shade treatments before ZH was fed, whereas after ZH, lactate concentrations were greater in control cattle than cattle fed ZH. Additionally, cortisol was less after feeding ZH. Glucose was greater before than after feeding ZH.

Using Sweet Bran instead of forage during grain adaptation in finishing feedlot cattle.

Two trials evaluated adapting cattle to a finishing diet using wet corn gluten feed compared with traditional methods using forage. A 33-d grain adaptation metabolism trial (Exp. 1) compared decreasing wet corn gluten feed (Sweet Bran; Corn Milling unit, Cargill Corn Milling, Blair, NE) while increasing corn inclusion (SB) and a traditional grain adaptation system decreasing alfalfa hay while increasing corn with no Sweet Bran inclusion (CON). Ruminal pH, intake characteristics, and 24-h in situ digestibility were evaluated using 8 ruminally fistulated steers (291 kg BW [SD 19]). Steers (4/treatment) were adapted to finishing diets across 4 periods consisting of 5, 7, 7, and 7 d and then fed a finishing diet for 7 d. No period × adaptation diet interactions were observed ( ≥ 0.12). Average ruminal pH decreased ( < 0.01) whereas time and area below a pH of 5.6 increased ( ≤ 0.02) for the SB adaptation system compared with the CON adaptation system. Cattle adapted using SB had greater DMI than cattle adapted using CON ( < 0.01). As steers were adapted to finishing diets, DMI increased ( = 0.01), average ruminal pH decreased ( = 0.05), and time and area below a pH of 5.6 increased ( ≤ 0.04) for both treatments. Ruminal pH for CON steers decreased from 6.59 to 6.12 across periods as corn replaced alfalfa hay whereas ruminal pH decreased from 6.00 to 5.79 for SB steers. Steers adapted using SB had greater ( ≤ 0.05) in situ digestion of adaptation diets than steers adapted using CON for adaptation periods 3, 4, and 5. The SB diets were more digestible than the CON diets when incubated in either CON- or SB-fed steers for adaptation periods 1 and 2 ( < 0.01). Experiment 2 used 240 finishing steers (273 kg BW [SD 14]) to determine performance impacts of using Sweet Bran instead of forage to adapt cattle to finishing diets. Steers were fed either decreasing Sweet Bran inclusion while increasing corn (SB) or decreasing alfalfa hay inclusion while increasing corn (CON). Treatments were applied only during grain adaptation (26 d) and all steers were finished on a common diet containing 35% Sweet Bran for an additional 147 d. Steers adapted using SB had greater ( ≤ 0.01) final BW, ADG, G:F, and HCW compared with steers adapted using CON, even though treatments differed only the first 26 d. Grain adaptation treatment had no effect ( ≥ 0.13) on carcass quality. These results indicate that Sweet Bran can be used to adapt cattle to finishing diets instead of forage and improves ADG and G:F while decreasing the forage needs of feedlots.

Rumen bacterial communities can be acclimated faster to high concentrate diets than currently implemented feedlot programs.

AIMS: Recent studies have demonstrated RAMP, a complete starter feed, to have beneficial effects for animal performance. However, how RAMP may elicit such responses is unknown. To understand if RAMP adaptation results in changes in the rumen bacterial community that can potentially affect animal performance, we investigated the dynamics of rumen bacterial community composition in corn-adapted and RAMP-adapted cattle. METHODS AND RESULTS: During gradual acclimation of the rumen bacterial communities, we compared the bacterial community dynamics in corn and RAMP-adapted using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Significant shifts in bacterial populations across diets were identified. The shift in corn-adapted animals occurred between adaptation step3 and step4, whereas in RAMP-adapted cattle, the shift occurred between step2 and step3. As the adaptation program progressed, the abundance of OTUs associated with family Prevotellaceae and S24-7 changed in corn-adapted animals. In RAMP-adapted animals, OTUs belonging to family Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae changed in abundance. CONCLUSIONS: Rumen bacteria can be acclimated faster to high concentrate diets, such as RAMP, than traditional adaptation programs and the speed of bacterial community acclimation depends on substrate composition. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These findings may have implications for beef producers to reduce feedlot costs, as less time adapting animals would result in lower feed costs. However, animal feeding behavior patterns and other factors must be considered.

Effect of ractopamine hydrochloride (Optaflexx) dose and duration on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing steers.

Three experiments evaluated the effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) dose and duration on growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers. In total, 1,509 crossbred steers (530 kg initial BW [SD 22]) were used in a randomized complete block design using a 3 × 3 factorial treatment structure. Treatments consisted of RAC dose (0, 100, or 200 mg/steer daily) and duration (28, 35, or 42 d) of RAC feeding prior to harvest. Initiation of RAC dose was staggered (7 d apart) based on RAC duration, which resulted in common days on feed among treatments. Data from the 3 experiments were combined for statistical analyses. There were no RAC dose × duration interactions ( ≥ 0.85) for growth performance. Live final BW was not different ( ≥ 0.24) as RAC dose increased. Dry matter intake linearly decreased ( < 0.01) as RAC dose increased. Live ADG and G:F linearly increased ( ≤ 0.01) as RAC dose increased. Carcass-adjusted ADG and G:F linearly increased ( ≤ 0.02) as RAC dose increased. Compared with steers fed 0 mg RAC/steer daily, G:F was improved by 5.0 and 13.0% when steers were fed 100 ( = 0.31) and 200 ( = 0.01) mg RAC/steer daily, respectively. Hot carcass weight tended ( = 0.10) to linearly increase as RAC dose increased, with carcasses from steers fed 100 ( = 0.38) and 200 ( = 0.10) mg RAC/steer daily being 2.2 and 4.1 kg heavier, respectively, than carcasses from steers fed 0 mg RAC/steer daily. Increasing RAC dose linearly ( < 0.01) increased LM area and linearly ( = 0.02) decreased marbling score. Live final BW was not different ( ≥ 0.60) among RAC durations. Carcass-adjusted final BW, ADG, and G:F were not different ( ≥ 0.41) as RAC duration increased. Carcass traits did not differ ( ≥ 0.18) among RAC duration. Feeding 200 mg RAC/steer daily improved ADG, feed efficiency, and HCW. Increasing the feeding duration of RAC had no effect of growth performance or carcass characteristics. These data indicate that feeding 200 mg RAC/steer daily for 28 d improves steer growth performance.

Effects of shade and feeding zilpaterol hydrochloride to finishing steers on performance, carcass quality, heat stress, mobility, and body temperature.

Steers ( = 480; 22% with black hides and 78% with red hides) were used to study the effects of shade and feeding zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) on performance, carcass quality, heat stress, mobility, and body temperature (BT). A randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement was used with 4 replicates per treatment. Factors included housing type (open or shaded pens) and the feeding of ZH (0 or 8.33 mg/kg DM) the last 21 d on feed with a 3-d withdrawal. Cattle were blocked by BW into a heavy or light block and randomly assigned to pen within each block. Rumen boluses to record BT were inserted before ZH feeding. Respiration rate and panting scores were recorded daily during the ZH feeding period. Mobility scores were collected at various time points from before ZH feeding through harvest. Interactions between ZH and housing type were not significant ( > 0.26) for animal performance, carcass characteristics, and respiration or panting score. No differences ( > 0.44) were observed for DMI, ADG, or G:F on a live basis due to ZH; however, cattle fed in open pens tended ( = 0.08) to have a greater ADG than cattle in shaded pens. Cattle fed ZH had 14 kg heavier carcasses with larger LM area ( < 0.01) than control cattle. Respiration rates for cattle fed ZH were greater ( = 0.05) with no differences ( = 0.88) due to housing. Time affected ( < 0.01) mobility scores, with observations on the morning of harvest at the abattoir being the worst for all groups of cattle. An interaction ( < 0.01) was observed between ZH and housing type for BT. Cattle fed ZH, in both shaded and open pens, had lower ( < 0.05) average, maximum, and area under the curve BT than control cattle fed in the same housing type. However, the observed reduction in BT due to ZH was greater for cattle fed ZH in open pens than for cattle fed ZH in shaded pens. From these results, we conclude that ZH improved HCW with little impact on heat stress or mobility, suggesting that animal welfare was not affected by feeding ZH for 21 d at the end of the feeding period.