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Simple Summary: Global livestock production systems face feed availability and cost challenges, particularly for high-quality fattening beef cattle. Thus, we require research on grain-rich energy alternatives in their diets. Our study investigated the impact of substituting cassava pulp with broken rice and cassava chips in crossbred Holstein steer diets and the practical implications on the ruminant feeding system. The findings indicate that while broken rice is a superior nutrient compared to cassava pulp and chips, it significantly increased the feed costs. However, substituting cassava pulp and chips positively influenced the ensilage quality and microbial populations without adverse effects on feed intake, enteric methane emissions, and energy utilization. These results suggest that broken rice, an agro-industrial by-product, could be an efficient alternative grain-rich feed resource for ruminants. This study highlights the potential benefits of strategic feeding strategies using broken rice, particularly in tropical cattle production systems. This study evaluates the effects of substituting cassava pulp with broken rice and cassava chips in the total mixed ration silage diets of beef cattle on feed composition, ensiling quality, digestibility, and energy utilization. Fifteen Holstein Thai native crossbred (89% Bos taurus × 11% Bos indicus) steers in the fattening phase, with an average age of 2.5 ± 0.1 years and an initial body weight of 603.7 ± 14.3 kg, were used in the energy balance trial. Using a randomized complete block design with five replications, the steers received one of three treatments. The three dietary treatments included substituting cassava pulp with cassava chips and broken rice on a dry matter basis with ratios of 50:0:0, 30:20:0, or 10:20:20. The results show that broken rice is a superior nutrient source and provides greater energy balance (p < 0.01). Despite the cost implications, substituting cassava pulp and chips positively impacts the ensilage pH and reduces the acetic acid concentration (p < 0.01). There was an increase in the lactic acid bacteria count (p < 0.05) and a reduction in the rumen ammonia, propionate, and butyrate concentrations (p < 0.05) without adverse effects (p > 0.05) on digestibility, blood metabolites, or enteric methane emissions. These findings suggest that broken rice is a promising alternative grain-rich ruminant feed. Future research should explore on-farm long-term feeding and economic evaluations to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the effects of substituting cassava pulp with broken rice and cassava chips in the total mixed ration silage diets of beef cattle on feed composition, ensiling quality, digestibility, and energy utilization. Fifteen Holstein Thai native crossbred (89% Bos taurus × 11% Bos indicus ) steers in the fattening phase, with an average age of 2.5 ± 0.1 years and an initial body weight of 603.7 ± 14.3 kg, were used in the energy balance trial. Using a randomized complete block design with five replications, the steers received one of three treatments. The three dietary treatments included substituting cassava pulp with cassava chips and broken rice on a dry matter basis with ratios of 50:0:0, 30:20:0, or 10:20:20. The results show that broken rice is a superior nutrient source and provides greater energy balance ( p < 0.01). Despite the cost implications, substituting cassava pulp and chips positively impacts the ensilage pH and reduces the acetic acid concentration ( p < 0.01). There was an increase in the lactic acid bacteria count ( p < 0.05) and a reduction in the rumen ammonia, propionate, and butyrate concentrations ( p < 0.05) without adverse effects ( p > 0.05) on digestibility, blood metabolites, or enteric methane emissions. These findings suggest that broken rice is a promising alternative grain-rich ruminant feed. Future research should explore on-farm long-term feeding and economic evaluations to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the practical implications.