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A feedlot study utilizing 800 crossbred steers (initial BW = 727 ± 55 lb) compared 5 different terminal implant (Revalor-200) times (160, 120, 100, 80, or 40 d prior to harvest) for steers fed 180 days on performance and carcass characteristics. All steers were implanted with Revalor-IS as an initial implant at trial initiation. Carcass-adjusted final BW, ADG, and F:G responded quadratically, with cattle implanted 80 to 120 d prior to harvest being the greatest. However, there was less than a 2% difference in performance between 120 and 80 days on terminal implant. Hot carcass weight responded quadratically, with no difference in fat thickness, rib eye area, marbling score, or calculated yield grade. When solved for the first derivative, all variables were maximized at 87 to 104 days on terminal implant when steers are fed for 180-d.

Calf performance was measured in a 3-yr study with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment design: 1) cow-calf production system (dry lot feeding or grazing corn residue) and 2) directly finishing calves or growing prior to finishing. Calves wintered on cornstalks were lighter at weaning than calves wintered in the dry-lot. However, following the finishing period, there were no effects of pre-weaning production system on final body weight or hot carcass weight. Calves directly adapted to a finishing diet had greater gain and improved efficiency compared to calves fed a grower diet prior to finishing. However, calves that were grown first produced 51 lb greater hot carcass weight. Directly finishing calves resulted in greater net profit as the extra hot carcass weight did not offset the cost of the additional 49 days in the feedlot. Wintering cows with calves on cornstalks instead of in a dry-lot resulted in lighter calves, but calves compensated in the feedlot.

A finishing study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding corn bran plus solubles, a new feed resulting from a pre-fermentation fiber removal process, compared to wet distillers grains plus solubles at two levels of inclusion (20% and 40% of diet DM). Intake increased with inclusion of byproduct, and steers fed 20% wet distillers had the greatest intakes numerically. Byproduct inclusion, regardless of type, increased daily gain over the corn-based control. Feed conversions were improved with increased inclusion of both Bran + Solubles and wet distillers, and both were superior to the control. Increased inclusion of both byproducts resulted in a linear increase in carcass weight. Feeding Bran+Solubles resulted in performance and carcass characteristics similar to wet distillers at both 20% and 40% inclusion.

A study was conducted evaluating the effects of feeding condensed algal residue solubles (CARS; available in 2019 in Blair, NE area) to finishing cattle for 100 days. Four levels of CARS were evaluated with 5 steers and 5 heifers individually fed per level of inclusion. The diets consisted of 70% dry rolled corn with CARS displacing corn at 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5% of dry matter. Increasing CARS inclusion resulted in a linear decrease in intake, a quadratic increase in daily gain, and a linear decrease in feed:gain. Calculations showed a linear increase in dietary net energy as CARS increased in the diet. Minimal differences in organ weights, blood chemistry, hematology, and urine were observed. Daily observations and histology results suggest no differences in cattle health due to dietary treatment. Including CARS at 5% of diet dry matter increased gain 4.2% and feed:gain 10.1% relative to a corn based finishing diet.

A finishing study evaluated the effect of feeding a new, high protein distillers grains along with corn bran plus condensed distillers solubles compared to traditional wet distillers grains, traditional dry distillers grains and a corn-based control. Each byproduct replaced corn at 40% of the diet dry-matter. Intake was not affected by treatment; however gain and carcass weight were greater and feed conversion improved for high protein distillers and corn bran plus solubles than either type of traditional distillers grains or corn. Based on feed efficiency, the feeding values of high protein distillers grains and corn bran plus solubles are 121% and 125% that of corn, respectively. These new byproducts appear to be viable options for producers to utilize in finishing diets.

A growing trial was conducted to determine the effect of feeding baled corn residue harvested using three different methods, with and without ammoniation of the residue. Residue harvested with the New Holland Cornrower™ with two rows of chopped stem added to the windrow resulted in a 9% increase in ADG compared to conventional rake and bale harvest or turning off the combine spreader and baling tailing. Ammoniation of residue increased ADG 67% (increase of 1.1 lb/d) over non-ammoniated residue. Feed efficiency was not affected by harvest method, but ammoniation decreased F:G by 13% compared to cattle fed non-ammoniated residue. Although alternative harvest technologies can improve ADG, ammoniation of corn residue has a considerably greater impact on cattle performance.

A finishing study was conducted to evaluate removal of corn oil from modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) and replacement of supplemental corn oil on finishing cattle performance. Four treatments were evaluated: a corn control diet, 40% de-oiled MDGS, 38% de-oiled MDGS plus 2% corn oil to equal the fat content of full fat MDGS, or 40% full fat MDGS. There was a significant improvement in ADG and F:G for cattle fed de-oiled MDGS plus oil compared to other treatments. Cattle fed full fat MDGS had numerically lower ADG and numerically poorer F:G (3.7%) compared with cattle fed MDGS plus oil. Cattle fed de-oiled MDGS had greater intake and numerically higher ADG than full fat MDGS, however F:G was similar (1.2%). Even with the improvement in feed conversion, the benefit is too small to make adding corn oil to the diet economical at current prices.

A growing study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing growing calves grazing corn residue with modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS; 3 or 5 lb/d) and with or without urea on growth performance. There were no significant MDGS × urea inclusion interactions observed. Urea inclusion level (0 and 0.12 lb/d) did not affect supplemental intake, ADG, or ending BW. Steers fed 5 lb of MDGS had an increased ADG and a heavier ending BW compared to steers fed 3 lb MDGS daily. Supplemental urea is not necessary when supplementing at least 3 lb MDGS to steers grazing corn residue.

Five summer management strategies were compared following grazing corn residue through winter. Cattle were assigned to be 1) summer finished, 2) graze bromegrass, 3) graze bromegrass and fed distillers grains at 0.6% of BW, 4) backgrounded in a drylot pen to gain 1.70 lb/d, or 5) backgrounded in a drylot pen to gain 2.35 lb/d. Results differed by year, however, in general as backgrounding ADG increased, days required on feed to reach an equal fat endpoint decreased. In year 1, ADG of cattle grazing bromegrass was less than cattle backgrounded in pens. There was no difference in finishing ADG for summer backgrounded steers. In year 2, steers grazing bromegrass with no supplement had the lowest summer ADG but exhibited compensatory growth in the feedlot. Overall, backgrounding systems increase carcass weights when cattle are finished to an equal fat thickness.

A feedlot study evaluated the effects of 4 implant strategies (Revalor-XR on day 1, Revalor-XH on day 1, Revalor-200 on day 1, and Revalor-200 on day 70) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot heifers compared to non-implanted heifers fed 198 days. Intake was not impacted by treatments. Implanted cattle had greater carcass-adjusted ADG and lower F:G compared to cattle that received no implant. Implanted treatments had significantly greater HCW, dressing percentages, and lower marbling scores compared to non-implanted cattle. Heifers implanted with Revalor-XR, Revalor-XH, and Revalor-200 on day 70 had larger LM area resulting in lower calculated yield grades compared to Revalor-200 administered on day 1 and control cattle. The response in gain, feed efficiency, and yield grade suggest that Revalor-XR, Revalor-XH, and Revalor-200 implanted on day 70 respond similarly when heifers are fed to similar days.

A growing study evaluated increasing inclusions of corn distillers solubles (CDS) at 10, 20, 30, and 40%, or increasing wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) at 10, 20, 30, and 40% compared to a corn control. Corn was replaced by CDS or WDGS in each forage-based diet. Increasing CDS resulted in a quadratic increase for both DMI and F:G. Increasing WDGS linearly increased both DMI and ADG with no effect on F:G. The energy value of CDS is less than that of corn, whereas WDGS had an energy value similar to corn in growing diets with 50% brome hay. A 73.7% TDN value was determined for CDS at 40% inclusion in forage-based diets.

Individual animal performance and animal production per acre were evaluated for steers grazing smooth bromegrass over 2 consecutive years. Treatments consisted of steers continuously grazing smooth bromegrass and initially stocked at either 4.0 animal unit months (AUM)/ac (HI) or 2.8 AUM/ac (LO) or steers rotationally grazing smooth bromegrass and initially stocked at 4.0 AUM/ac (ROT). Average calculated stocking rate for the LO, HI, and ROT treatments was greater than initial stocking rates due to the use of put and take animals. In vitro organic matter digestibility and crude protein of rotationally grazed pastures was relatively constant as the grazing season progressed, whereas continuous grazing showed a decrease in digestibility. However, there were no differences in gain between treatments. Treatment pastures grazed at a higher intensity, regardless of grazing method, had greater calculated stocking rate than pastures grazed at a lower intensity. Gain per acre, however, did not differ among treatments. Overall, although there was an increase in diet sample quality associated with rotational grazing compared to continuously grazed pastures, greater emphasis should likely be placed on managing an appropriate grazing intensity, rather than grazing method.

Two studies were conducted to determine rumen undegradable protein (RUP) content and digestibility in corn silage. In Exp. 1, 37 and 42% DM corn silage were incubated in situ with two ruminally and one duodenally cannulated steer to calculate RUP content and RUP digestibility. In Exp. 2, dry rolled corn was reconstituted to 75, 70, 65, and 50% DM and ensiled in mini silos for 30, 90, 180, or 270 days. After ensiling, samples were ruminally incubated to determine RUP content of the grain. The grain within corn silage is less than 50% DM, as moisture content increases and time of ensiling increases, RUP content of this grain decreases. Results from these experiments suggest the RUP content of corn silage is 10% of the CP or the CP within corn silage is 90% rumen degradable protein.

Two finishing experiments were conducted to evaluate Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn containing an alpha amylase enzyme trait compared to the near negative isoline control corn at two locations on cattle performance and carcass characteristics. No statistical differences were observed for final BW, DMI, ADG, or F:G for steers fed Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn versus the near negative isoline control corn. Fat depth and calculated yield grade were greater for steers fed Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn; however, HCW and marbling scores were not different. Previous research has observed a 2.6% to 16.4% decrease in F:G when Syngenta Enogen Feed Corn was fed; however, under this study a 1.6% reduction in F:G was observed.

A study was conducted to evaluate the impact that level of intake has on methane and carbon dioxide production by growing steers. Two treatments were evaluated that included ad-libitum intake compared to limit-fed steers. The ad-libitum fed cattle had greater gains, similar feed efficiency and produced more methane and carbon dioxide per day, while the limit fed cattle produced more methane and carbon dioxide per pound of intake than the ad-libitum fed cattle.

Steer calves grazing non- irrigated corn residue were supplemented with a corn residue and by- product pellet that contained either Soypass, soybean meal, or processed soybean meal at a rate of 4 lb / d. Additionally, a supplement was fed at 1 lb / d that provided 0 or 20 mg / steer daily of bambermycins (Gainpro®). There was no interaction between bambermycins inclusion and pellet type. Likewise, there was no effect of pellet type or bambermycins on ending BW or ADG. In order to maximize gain of calves grazing corn residue it is important to provide a supplement that ensures adequate levels of both energy and rumen undegradeable protein.

A receiving study was conducted to evaluate the effects of RAMP® with Rumensin® concentration (0 or 25.0 g/ton) given with one of two viral vaccinations (Titanium® 5 PH- M or Titanium® 5 plus NUPLURA® PH) on steer growth performance and morbidity. There were no significant vaccine by diet interactions observed. Neither vaccine treatment nor Rumensin® level affected intake, gain, or feed conversion. Vaccine type did not affect first pull (P = 0.19) or second pull morbidity rates (P = 0.52). These findings suggest that neither vaccine type nor Rumensin® concentration had any effect on steer growth performance or morbidity rate.

A feedlot study evaluated the effects of ractopamine hydrochloride (Optaflexx®) dosage (0 or 300 mg/steer daily) and days on feed (118, 139, 160, 174 DOF) as a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial (steers fed 174 d were not fed Optaflexx) on performance of big yearlings. No interaction was observed between Optaflexx and days on feed. Feeding Optaflexx improved live final BW, carcass- adjusted ADG, carcass- adjusted feed conversion, and calculated yield grade. Increasing days on feed linearly increased live final BW, carcass-adjusted feed conversion, HCW, dressing percent, and marbling score but not ADG. Furthermore, a quadratic increase in LM area, 12th rib fat, and calculated yield grade was observed with days on feed. The response in added carcass weight due to feeding Optaflexx is the same with different lengths of time cattle are fed, and for large yearlings placed on feed.

A finishing study was conducted to determine the value of the fiber, protein, fat, and solubles components from wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) alone or in combination for feedlot cattle in comparison to WDGS diets. The fiber portion alone did not improve F:G. When protein was included in the composite with fiber, F:G improved. With fat and solubles both added separately, F:G continued to improve. None of the components alone could make up the feeding value of WDGS, however the composite diet of fiber, protein, fat, and solubles combined matched the performance observed when WDGS is fed.

Steer calves grazing non- irrigated corn residue were supplemented with a corn residue and by- product pellet at 0.3, 0.7, or 1.1% of BW. Th e, pellet was formulated to deliver either 0 or 10 mg/steer daily of bambermycins (Gainpro). Th ere was no interaction between bambermycins inclusion and level of supplementation. Likewise, there was no effect of bambermycins on ending BW or ADG. As level of supplement increased, both ending BW and ADG increased linearly.

A growing study was conducted to determine the effects of maximizing the energy density of treated corn stover through feed component additions. Calves fed 46% brome hay diet with treated corn stover and varying amounts of solubles or glycerin had greater dry matter intake, but lower average daily gain compared to calves fed modified distillers grains. Calcium oxide treated corn stover treatments also had lower feed to gain and ending body weight than control calves fed distillers grains. Displacing protein as solubles or fat as glycerin in a treated corn stover feed did not provide the same feeding value as distillers grains.

A 190- d calf fed finishing study, utilizing 240 steers, was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing finishing cattle with bypass amino acids (methionine and lysine) on growth performance. Three treatments (control, methionine, methionine and lysine) were evaluated with 8 pens/trt. All cattle were fed a 40% Sweet Bran, 50% high moisture corn basal diet. Supplementing with bypass amino acids did not affect live cattle performance, and only small differences in 12th rib fat and USDA marbling score were observed. Lack of any dramatic changes in performance suggests these calves were not deficient in methionine or lysine.