Optimizing the Length of Feeding an Elevated Level of Dried Distillers Grains plus Solubles-Soybean Hull Diet to Feedlot Cattle

The Professional Animal Scientist 24 (2008):328–333 ©2008 American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists

O pantimizing the Length of Feeding Elevated Level of Dried Distillers Grains plus SolublesSoybean Hull Diet to Feedlot Cattle J. W. Homm,* L. L. Berger,*1 PAS, L. A. Forster Jr.,† and T. G. Nash* *Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801; and †Archer Daniels Midland Company, Decatur, IL 62526

ABSTRACT The rapid expansion of ethanol production has resulted in an abundance of co-products available to cattle feeders. Two hundred forty steers were used to determine the optimum length of time for feeding a diet containing 40% dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and 35% soybean hull (SH, DM basis) to feedlot cattle. Treatments consisted of feeding the DDGS-SH diet for 56, 84, 112, 140, and 196 d before switching to a corn-based finishing diet. All cattle were harvested after 196 d and serial ultrasound measurements were taken every 28 d. Data were analyzed for linear and quadratic effects, and orthogonal polynomial contrasts of 56 vs. 196 and 84 vs. 112 to 140 d were analyzed. Adjusted final BW and ADG increased linearly (P < 0.01) and G:F decreased linearly as length of time on the DDGS-SH diet increased. Dry matter intake increased linearly as days on the DDGS-SH diet increased. Adjusted final BW tended (P = 0.09) to be greater

1

Corresponding author: [email protected]

and ADG was greater (P = 0.01) for 196-d steers than 56-d steers. However, G:F was reduced (P < 0.01) for 196d steers compared with 56-d steers. Dry matter intakes were greater (P < 0.01) for 196-d steers than 56-d steers. Liver scores and hot carcass weights increased linearly (P = 0.04) as days on the DDGS-SH diet increased. Cost of gain was not significantly different. These data indicate that the use of a DDGS-SH diet can achieve comparable performance and carcass characteristics to cattle fed a typical corn finishing diet. Key words: distillers dried grains with solubles, soybean hull, beef, performance

INTRODUCTION The rapid expansion of ethanol production has resulted in an abundance of co-products available to cattle feeders, which may offer an advantage to them by decreasing feed prices without hindering performance. Combining co-products that complement each other may improve

production efficiency. For example, distillers grains are high in protein, phosphorus, and sulfur. Soybean hulls are relatively low in these 3 nutrients and would dilute their concentration in the total diet. Larson et al. (1993) reported that wet distillers co-products averaged 169 and 128% of the energy value of corn when fed to yearlings and calves, respectively. Recent research has demonstrated that cattle consuming co-product diets can gain over 1.4 kg/d (Buckner et al., 2007a, b; Huls et al., 2008). The objective of this trial was to determine the optimum length of feeding a distillers grain-soybean hull diet to growing-finishing cattle as determined by animal performance and carcass characteristics and to evaluate if beef steers can be finished on a diet that contains limited corn.

MATERIALS AND METHODS Animals and Management Two hundred forty steers were obtained from central Kentucky. Upon arrival, all steers were vaccinated

Length of feeding co-products to cattle

Table 1. Ingredients and nutrient composition of distillers-soybean hull diet Item Dried distillers grain Soybean hulls Corn silage Ground corn Limestone Rumensin (80) Thiamine Trace-mineralized salt1 Copper sulfate Vitamins A, D, and E Liquid fat Nutrient composition (%DM basis)   CP   ADF   NDF   Calcium   Phosphorus

%, DM basis 40.00 35.00 15.00 9.01 0.68 0.02 0.03 0.10 0.01 0.01 0.15

17.1 29.4 47.4 0.75 0.44

1

Trace-mineralized salt contained 81 to 86% NaCl, 2.57% Fe, 2.86% Zn, 5,710 mg/kg Mn, 2,290 mg/kg Cu, 100 mg/kg I, and 85.7 mg/kg Se.

for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, parainfluenza-3 (TSV-2, Pfizer, Exton, PA), bovine viral diarrhea, bovine synctical respiratory virus (Bovishield-4, Pfizer), and Pasturella hemolytica (One Shot, Pfizer) and given a visual and electronic identification. Additionally, all steers were implanted with Component E-S (20 mg estradiol benzoate, 200 mg progesterone; VetLife, Overland Park, KS) at receiving and re-implanted with Component TE-S (24 mg estradiol, 120 mg trenbolone acetate; Vet life) after 84 d on feed (DOF). At the start of the trial, all steers were weighed (304.5 ± 39.5 kg) and allotted to pens (8 head per pen, 6 pens per treatment) based on BW and hide color. Steers were housed in open fronted, south exposure barns with automatic waters. Pens were concrete slatted floors covered with 1.8-cm thick rubber mats. Each pen was 4.9 m2, which provide 3.0 m2 of floor space per steer. Dietary treatments of 56, 84, 112, 140, and 196 d

on distillers-soybean hull diet (Table 1) were randomly assigned to pens. One week before being placed on the finishing diet (Table 2), steers were placed on an adaptation diet (Table 3). Diets were formulated to meet or exceed the 1996 NRC nutrient requirements of beef cattle (NRC, 1996). All steers were fed for 196 d. Body weights and ultrasound measurements of backfat, marbling score, and ribeye area were taken at 28-d intervals throughout the trial. Animals used in this trial were managed according to the guidelines recommended in the Guide for the Care and Use of Agriculture Animals in Agriculture Research and Teaching (Consortium, 1988). Experimental protocols were reviewed and approved by the University of Illinois Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

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Table 2. Ingredient composition of finishing diet Ingredient Dried distillers grain High-moisture corn Corn silage Ground corn Limestone Urea Rumensin (80) Trace-mineralized salt1 Copper sulfate Vitamins A, D, and E Liquid fat Nutrient composition (% DM basis)   CP   ADF   NDF   Calcium   Phosphorus

%, DM basis 25.00 57.00 8.00 8.57 0.65 0.50 0.02 0.10 0.01 0.01 0.15

15.2 9.2 21.7 0.52 0.41

1

Performance Data Collection Steer weight and ultrasonic measurements of 12th to 13th backfat thickness (BF), marbling score, and LM area were recorded approximately every 28 d throughout the feeding period to evaluate live animal performance. Daily feed intake was recorded using the GrowSafe automated feeding system (GrowSafe Systems Ltd., Airdrie, Alberta, Canada). Final individual animal ADG and G:F were calculated based on carcass adjusted final weights, which were calculated by dividing hot carcass weight (HCW) by the average dressing percent of the slaughter group. Interim gains and efficiencies were calculated by multiplying the full weight by 0.96. Steers were harvested after 196 DOF.

Carcass Data Collection Steers were harvested at a commercial processing facility. Animals were stunned via captive bolt pistol and exsanguinated. Individual carcass measurements were taken for HCW and liver score on the day of harvest, and BF, LM area, KPH percentage, and marbling score

Trace-mineralized salt contained 81 to 86% NaCl, 2.57% Fe, 2.86% Zn, 5,710 mg/kg Mn, 2,290 mg/kg Cu, 100 mg/kg I, and 85.7 mg/kg Se.

were collected by trained university personnel after a 24-h chill at −4°C. An image of the LM was made using chromatography paper, and planometer measurements of the image were used to measure LM area. University

Table 3. Ingredient composition of adaptation diet Ingredient Dried distillers grain High-moisture corn Corn silage Ground corn Limestone Urea Rumensin (80) Trace mineralized salt1 Copper sulfate Vitamins A, D, and E Liquid fat 1

%, DM basis 35.00 40.00 15.00 8.57 0.65 0.50 0.02 0.10 0.01 0.01 0.15

Trace-mineralized salt contained 81 to 86% NaCl, 2.57% Fe, 2.86% Zn, 5,710 mg/kg Mn, 2,290 mg/kg Cu, 100 mg/kg I, and 85.7 mg/kg Se.

Homm et al.

330 of Illinois measurements were used to determine QG and calculate YG. Yield grade was calculated using the equation from Taylor (1994): [2.5 + (2.5 × inches of BF) + (0.20 × KPH%) + (0.0038 × pounds of HCW) – (0.32 × square inches of longissimus dorsi muscle)]. The USDA determined QG and YG were compared with university observations.

Economic Analysis Diet costs were calculated using $82.67, $66.14, and $165.35/metric ton for dried distillers grains, soybean hulls, and supplement, respectively. Corn price ($2.06/25.42 kg) was collected from annual commodity reports (1999 to 2004; National Agricultural Statistics Service). Price for corn silage was calculated based on corn price using the following equation: [($2.06 × 6.25 + $5.51/metric ton harvest and storage cost)/35% DM]. The TMR was marked up $22.05/ metric ton (DM basis) and yardage ($0.35/d per head) was added to total

cost. Feed costs derived for diets were $87.45 and $95.07/metric ton for the distillers-soybean hull and finishing diets, respectively.

RESULTS Live Animal Characteristics

Statistical Analysis Effects of dietary treatment were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) for a randomized design. Individual animal was used as the experimental unit for both live animal performance and carcass data. The fixed effect was time on the distillers-soybean hull diet, whereas pen was considered a random effect. Linear and quadratic contrasts were used for length of time on the distillers-soybean hull diet. Additionally, orthogonal polynomial contrasts of 56 vs. 196 and 84 vs. 112 to 140 DOF were compared.

Linear and Quadratic Effects. Animal weights were similar (P > 0.21) across treatments through 140 DOF (Table 4). Final BW, final shrunk BW, and adjusted final BW increased linearly (P < 0.01) as days on the distillers-soybean hull diet increased. Average daily gain increased linearly (P = 0.01) as days on distillers-soybean hull diet increased. However, feed efficiency decreased linearly as length of time on the distillers-soybean hull diet increased. Dry matter intake increased linearly as days on the distillers-soybean hull diet increased. 56 vs. 196 d on Distillers-Soybean Hull Diet. Final live BW and adjusted final BW tended (P = 0.09) to be greater, ADG was greater (P = 0.01), and DMI was greater (P < 0.01) for 196 than 56 DOF steers. However, feed efficiency was greater (P < 0.01) for 56 than 196 DOF steers.

Table 4. Effect of length of time on a high distillers-soybean hull diet on live animal performance Significance of contrasts

Days on co-product diet Item On-trial wt, kg 56 DOF1 wt, kg 84 DOF wt, kg 112 DOF wt, kg 140 DOF wt, kg 168 DOF wt, kg Final live wt, kg Final SBW,2 kg DMI, kg AFW,3 kg ADG,4 kg/d Gain:Feed4 COG,5 $/kg

56 303.3 402.5 442.8 485.4 532.2 574.0 598.1 574.2 8.27 595.3 1.506 0.1839 0.8764

84

112

140

196

SEM

306.5 395.0 447.3 481.1 531.4 560.6 588.3 564.7 8.28 590.0 1.461 0.1782 0.8866

305.0 406.4 457.0 493.9 540.4 576.0 603.9 579.7 8.88 604.7 1.541 0.1757 0.8859

304.9 403.7 455.7 495.4 545.9 578.8 611.9 587.4 9.00 613.1 1.588 0.1775 0.8617

303.0 399.7 449.8 482.6 537.7 579.6 615.0 590.4 9.65 615.4 1.611 0.1681 0.8837

5.81 6.31 6.32 6.78 7.16 7.21 6.99 6.71 0.158 7.76 0.0303 0.00373 0.00759

Linear Quadratic 56 vs. 196 84 vs. 112 to 140 NS NS NS NS NS NS * * * * * * NS

NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS

1

DOF = days on feed.

2

SBW = shrunk body weight (Final BW × 0.96).

3

AFW = hot carcass weight/0.6287 (average dressing percentage of all steers).

4

Data generated from adjusted hot carcass weight.

5

COG = cost of gain [total ration cost (DM basis)/total weight gain (off adjusted hot carcass weight)].

*P < 0.05. †P < 0.10.

NS NS NS NS NS NS † † * † * * NS

NS NS NS NS NS † * * * * * NS NS

Length of feeding co-products to cattle

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Table 5. Effect of length of time on a high distillers-soybean hull diet on carcass characteristics Significance of contrasts

Days on co-product diet Item Dress, % Liver1 Lung2 HCW,3 kg Marb4 Skmat5 Leanmat6 Omat7 BF,8 cm ABF,9 cm CYG10 KPH, % LM area, cm2

56

84

112

140

196

SEM

62.55 0.000 1.045 374.3 572 164 166 165 1.34 1.36 3.24 2.42 85.02

62.98 0.071 1.075 370.9 571 162 161 161 1.40 1.41 3.32 2.48 84.41

62.93 0.049 1.286 380.2 630 159 153 156 1.55 1.58 3.57 2.52 84.15

62.97 0.178 1.222 385.4 571 162 161 162 1.29 1.32 3.24 2.50 86.62

62.90 0.175 1.233 386.9 565 163 163 164 1.39 1.42 3.47 2.57 84.43

0.219 0.0702 0.1779 4.83 14.1 2.0 3.8 2.2 0.072 0.070 0.111 0.0623 1.268

Linear Quadratic 56 vs. 196 84 vs. 112 to 140 NS * NS * NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS

NS NS NS NS * NS † * NS NS NS NS NS

NS † NS † NS NS NS NS NS NS NS † NS

NS NS NS * † NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS

1

Liver score: 0 = no abscesses; 1 = 1 or 2 small abscesses (liver not condemned); 2 = 2 to 4 large active abscesses (liver condemned) 3 = 1 or more large active abscesses (liver condemned).

2

Lung score: 0 = no lesions; 1 = minor lesions; 2 = major lesions; 3 = major lesions that have adhered to rib cage.

3

HCW = hot carcass weight.

4

Marb = marbling score: 400–499 = slight; 500–599 = small; 600–699 = modest.

5

Skmat = skeletal maturity.

6

Leanmat = lean maturity.

7

Omat = overall maturity.

8

BF = backfat thickness.

9

ABF = adjusted backfat.

10

CYG = calculated YG.

*P < 0.05. †P < 0.10.

84 vs. 112 to 140 d on DistillersSoybean Hull Diet. After 168 DOF, 112 to 140 DOF steers tended (P = 0.06) to have greater weights than 84 DOF steers. Final live BW and adjusted final BW were greater (P = 0.05) and ADG was greater (P = 0.01) for 112 to 140 than 84 DOF steers. However, DMI were lower (P < 0.01) for 84 than 112 to 140 DOF steers.

Carcass Characteristics Linear and Quadratic Effects. Liver scores and HCW increased linearly (P = 0.04) as days on the distillers-soybean hull diet increased (Table 5). Marbling score exhibited a quadratic (P = 0.04) effect, with steers fed 112 d on the co-product diet having the highest marbling score. There was a significant (P

= 0.02) quadratic effect for overall maturity. 56 vs. 196 d on Distillers-Soybean Hull Diet. Liver scores and HCW tended (P = 0.07) to be greater for 196 DOF steers compared with 56 DOF steers. Kidney, heart, and pelvic fat percentage tended (P = 0.09) to be greater for 196 DOF steers compared with 56 DOF steers. 84 vs. 112 to 140 d on the Distillers-Soybean Hull Diet. Hot carcass weight was greater (P = 0.05) for 112 to 140 than 84 DOF steers. Marbling scores tended (P = 0.09) to be greater for 112 to 140 than 84 DOF steers.

Ultrasound Data In general there were few differences in ultrasonic BF thickness

(Table 6), ribeye area, and empty body fat percentage (data not reported) throughout the trial. However, throughout the trial (except 140 d) ultrasonic marbling scores exhibited a quadratic (P < 0.10) response with the 112-d steers having the highest marbling scores.

DISCUSSION Our control diet contained 25% dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). This was done because most finishing diets in Illinois contain at least some DDGS, and current research indicates that when DDGS are fed with dry-rolled or high-moisture corn an improvement in growth performance is observed (Bremer et al., 2008). The distillerssoybean hull diet was used because

Homm et al.

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Table 6. Effect of length of time on a high distillers-soybean hull diet on serial ultrasonic backfat (cm) Significance of contrasts

Treatment Days on feed

56

84

112

140

196

SEM

Linear

Quadratic

56 vs. 196

84 vs. 112 to 140

28 56 84 112 140 168

0.36 0.50 0.61 0.69 0.71 0.82

0.39 0.52 0.67 0.72 0.79 0.86

0.48 0.62 0.75 0.81 0.89 0.97

0.38 0.50 0.65 0.71 0.78 0.85

0.38 0.54 0.69 0.76 0.83 0.97

0.028 0.031 0.035 0.039 0.042 0.047

NS NS NS NS † *

* NS NS NS † NS

NS NS NS † * *

NS NS NS NS NS NS

*P < 0.05. †P < 0.10.

40% DDGS is a relatively high level of DDGS in which little depression in performance has been seen (Bremer et al., 2008). The soybean hull level was chosen because it is the highest level at which bloat can be minimized. Additionally, distillers grains and soybean hulls complement (if one is high the other is low) each other with respect to CP, fat, and sulfur. Our observed increase in ADG and final weight is likely due to the increase in DMI. Firkins et al. (1985) reported that steers fed dry distillers grains gained more (0.33 kg/d) than steers fed a corn-based control diet. Ham et al. (1994) reported that steers fed dry distillers grains and wet distillers grains gained approximately 0.22 kg/d more than steers fed a dry-rolled corn diet. Al-Suwaiegh et al. (2002) found that steers fed 30% sorghum or corn distillers

grains and 57% dry-rolled corn diet gained approximately 10% faster than steers on a 84% dry-rolled corn diet. Vander Pol et al. (2006) reported that ADG exhibited a quadratic effect as level of wet distillers grains increased from 0 to 50% of the diet’s DM, with the highest response was observed at 30 to 40%. Buckner et al. (2007a) reported that steers fed 30% wet distillers grains and a ratio of 1:1 high-moisture corn to dry-rolled corn (58% of diet DM) gained 13% faster and were 5.7% heavier at harvest than steers fed a control diet of highmoisture corn and dry-rolled corn (88% diet DM at a 1:1 ratio). The decrease in feed efficiency could be partially attributed to the lower energy content of the distillerssoybean hull diet (Tables 6 and 7). Vander Pol et al. (2006) showed a quadratic response of feed efficiency

to level of wet distillers grains in the diet; efficiency was the lowest at 40% wet distillers grains. However, some researchers (Al-Suwaiegh et al., 2002) have found that feed efficiency is improved with the use of 30% distillers grains. Buckner et al. (2007a) reported that steers fed 30% wet distillers grains and a ratio of 1:1 high-moisture corn to dry-rolled corn (58% of diet DM) were 8% more efficient than steers fed a control diet of high-moisture corn and dry-rolled corn (88% diet DM at a 1:1 ratio). The 112 DOF cattle had the highest marbling scores at slaughter. This is attributed to random variation in that these steers may have had a higher genetic potential for marbling. This was also confirmed by serial ultrasound marbling scores throughout the trial (Table 7). The observed quadratic effect for overall

Table 7. Effect of length of time on a high distillers-soybean hull diet on serial ultrasonic marbling score1 Significance of contrasts

Treatment Days on feed 28 56 84 112 140 168 1

56 390 439 428 450 493 504

84

112

140

396 437 447 473 488 527

431 454 497 506 535 565

396 447 443 466 500 514

196 401 420 448 464 513 524

SEM

Linear

Quadratic

56 vs. 196

84 vs. 112 to 140

8.7 8.6 11.7 11.9 12.3 12.0

NS NS NS NS NS NS

† * * * NS *

NS NS NS NS NS NS

† NS NS NS * NS

Marbling score: 300 = traces 0; 400 = slight 0; 500 = small 0.

*P ≤ 0.05. †P ≤ 0.10.

Length of feeding co-products to cattle

maturity is of little biological relevance because all of these cattle qualified for “A” maturity. Moreover, these cattle were of unknown origin and birthdates were not available. The lack of differences in carcass characteristics has been noted by other researchers (Buckner et al., 2007b; Vander Pol et al., 2006). However, Al-Suwaiegh et al. (2002) noted heavier HCW, larger fat thickness, and higher YG in cattle fed 30% corn or sorghum distillers grains compared with corn-based controls.

IMPLICATIONS These data indicate that the use of distillers grains-soybean hull diets can achieve comparable performance and carcass characteristics to cattle fed a common finishing diet. These results indicate that cattle can be finished on diets containing little to no corn.

333

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