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Crossbred yearling steers were utilized to evaluate the effects of Zilpaterol hydrochloride (Zilmax®) and terminal sorting 50 days prior to harvest on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Four treatments were used: an unsorted group not fed Zilmax (–CON), an unsorted group fed Zilmax, sorting by weight into two market groups and fed Zilmax, or sorting by weight into four market groups and fed Zilmax (4-Sort). Carcass weight was increased in cattle fed Zilmax by 33 lb and was further increased by 9 lb by 4-SORT. Yield grade and marbling score were lower for all cattle fed Zilmax compared to the –CON. Sorting four ways (4-Sort) increased HCW, reduced HCW variation, and decreased the percentage of overweight carcasses compared to not sorting.

Crossbred yearling steers (n = 1000; 755 ± 23 lb) were utilized to evaluate effects of sorting and feeding zilpaterol hydrochloride (Zilmax®) on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and economics. Treatments were: unsorted negative control (–CON); unsorted Zilmax fed positive control (+CON); and three treatments where the heaviest 20% of steers within the pen were identified at beginning (EARLY), 100 days from harvest (MIDDLE), or 50 days from harvest (LATE) and marketed 28 days earlier. Dry matter intake was not different. Gain and G:F were improved by feeding Zilmax. Carcasses from the +CON and steers sorted EARLY, MIDDLE, and LATE were 61, 56, and 53 lb heavier than –CON, respectively. Fat depth and marbling were lower for +CON compared to –CON, but feeding Zilmax with any of the sorting treatments improved marbling to equal –CON.

In a three-year study, corn-dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) were evaluated as a substitute for forage and nitrogen (N) fertilizer in yearling steers grazing smooth bromegrass in eastern Nebraska. Stocking rate increased with N fertilization and DDGS, and average daily gain (ADG) increased with DDGS. Total gain per acre increased by 53% with N fertilization and 105% with DDGS supplementation. N use efficiency was 139% greater per acre with DDGS supplementation compared to fertilizing with N alone. Feedlot ADG was similar among treatments with steers maintaining their BW advantage through the finishing phase.

Three years of research trials were compiled to determine how weight gain changes throughout the feeding period. Results suggest that body weight and carcass weight increase linearly through the feeding period. While daily gain decreases on a body weight basis, it remains constant on a carcass basis suggesting that nearly all of the weight gain is transferred to the carcass at the end of the feeding period.

A growing trial was conducted to contrast a new by-product, Dakota Bran Cake (DBRAN), against dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and evaluate the two by-products at two dietary inclusion levels on steer calf performance measurements. Diet treatments included 15% DBRAN, 30% DBRAN, 15% DDGS, and 30% DDGS, replacing a blend (70:30 ratio) of brome grass hay and alfalfa haylage (DM basis). Final BW, ADG, and DMI increased, while F:G decreased as the inclusion level for both of these by-products increased from 15 to 30% DM. DDGS significantly improved ADG and F:G compared to feeding DBRAN at both inclusion levels. Feeding DBRAN and DDGS in growing diets to steer calves improved performance at higher dietary inclusion levels, while DDGS tended to improve performance over DBRAN.

A finishing cattle study was conducted to evaluate feeding a by-product combination at two inclusion levels, compared with these by-products fed alone, or a corn-based diet without by-products. Treatments consisted of 0% by-products, 30% WCGF (wet corn gluten feed), 15% WCGF with 15% WDGS (wet distillers grains with solubles), 30% WDGS, and 30% WCGF with 30% WDGS (DM basis). Final BW, ADG, and F:G were improved for cattle fed by-products, including the 60% Blend. No associative effects resulted from feeding WCGF and WDGS in a blend compared to these by-products fed alone. Feed conversion was similar for feeding a by-product blend at 30 and 60% of dietary DM. A by-product blend at 30% did not have any additive effects, while a blend at 60% had comparable F:G to a blend at 30% with higher gains than the corn diet.

Sixty crossbred steers were individually fed either corn genetically modified for corn rootworm protection (Das-59122-7), a conventional non-transgenic corn hybrid, or a near isoline control for 109 days to evaluate nutritional equivalency. The corn was coarsely rolled (geometric mean diameter = 4,200 microns) and treatments offered in the finishing diet at 82% of diet (DM basis). Dry matter intakes, ADG, and F:G were similar among all three corn hybrids. Carcass characteristics showed no significant differences among treatments. The genetically modified corn DAS-59122-7 was nutritionally equivalent to a conventional corn hybrid and a near isoline control when fed to finishing steers. Feeding this genetically modified hybrid did not impact steer performance or carcass quality.

An experiment (Exp. 1) was conducted to determine the effect of Excede® at arrival or at revaccination on morbidity, mortality, and gain in both feedlot and pasture receiving systems. A second experiment (Exp. 2) was conducted to determine the effect of feedlot and pasture receiving systems on animal health. In Exp. 1, no treatment differences were observed for initial or final BW, or ADG. In Exp. 1, initial BW, treatment, receiving system (pasture or feedlot); and buyer of cattle explained the cumulative incidence of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). The incidence of BRD in this study was 4.7%, 11.0%, and 13.8% for arrival, control, and revaccination treatments respectively. The arrival medication effectively reduced BRD incidence. BRD was less (P= 0.02) for pasture receiving than feedlot receiving, averaging 7.4% and 11.0% respectively. In Exp. 2 BRD was less for pasture receiving than feedlot receiving with 23% and 53% treated for BRD respectively.

A finishing trial was conducted to determine the optimum level of inclusion of distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS; Abengoa, York, Neb.) in diets containing 30% wet corn gluten feed (WCGF, Sweet Bran®, Cargill, Blair Neb.) Six WDGS inclusion levels (0, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30%DM) were compared with a dry rolled corn (DRC)/high moisture corn (HMC)-based diet. The inclusion of 30% Sweet Bran® in the diets improved DMI, ADG and feed conversion when compared to a corn-based diet. DMI tended to respond quadratically to WDGS inclusion level, ADG responded quadratically, while F/G was not affected by WDGS level. Diets containing 30% of both WCGF and WDGS improved performance compared with cattle fed no by-products. These results indicate optimum ADG and F:G were achieved with inclusions levels of WDGS ranging from 15 to 20% in diets containing 30% WCGF.

Five ruminally and duodenally fistulated, Holstein steers were used in a 5X5 Latin square metabolism experiment to evaluate digestibility of wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) compared with corn fiber and corn oil in finishing diets. Treatments were a 40% WDGS diet, a composite of corn fiber and corn protein (COMP), COMP plus corn oil to equal the distillers diet (COMP+OIL), and dry-rolled corn control diets without (CON) or with corn oil (CON+OIL). Cattle fed WDGS had numerically lower rumen pH compared with cattle fed other treatments. Cattle fed the WDGS had greater propionate, lower acetate:propionate ratios, greater total tract fat digestion, and a greater proportion of unsaturated fatty acids reaching the duodenum than cattle fed other treatments. These data indicate the higher energy value of WDGS compared with corn is not due to acidosis control, but to more propionate production, higher fat digestibility, and more unsaturated fatty acids reaching the duodenum.

A finishing trial was conducted to evaluate roughage source and level compared to no roughage inclusion in finishing diets containing 30% (DM basis) wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS). Roughage sources included alfalfa hay, corn silage, or corn stalks fed at either a low (4% alfalfa hay) or high (8% alfalfa hay) level and sources were included on an equal NDF basis. In general, higher roughage levels increased DMI, ADG, and profit. However, steers fed 3% corn stalks performed similarly to steers fed high levels of roughage. When roughage was eliminated from the diet, DMI, ADG, and profit were decreased compared with diets containing corn stalks or high levels of alfalfa or corn silage. Results indicate at high roughage levels, sources can be exchanged on an equal NDF basis in finishing diets containing 30% WDGS (DM basis).

A two-year experiment evaluated the effects of sorting long yearling steers by initial feedlot BW and supplementing 200 mg/steer of Optaflexx daily the last 28 days of the feeding period on ADG, F/G, carcass characteristics and profitability. Feedlot ADG, F/G, and profitability were not effected by sorting. However, sorted cattle exhibited increased fat thickness, increased ribeye area, and increased percentage of carcasses with a yield grade of four or higher. Supplementing Optaflexx the last 28 days of the feeding period had no effect on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, or profitability.

An individual feeding experiment was conducted to estimate diurnal and dietary impacts on microbial CP (MCP) production estimated from urinary purine derivative (PD) and creatinine excretion. Heifers were fed one of three diets formulated to produce differences in MCP production: an 85% steam-flaked corn-based diet (SFC); the SFC diet with 1.5% urea (UREA); or a corn milling byproduct-based diet (BYPROD). Spot samples of urine were collected at 0700 and 1700 hours. No urine collection time x dietary treatment interactions were present for any variable. Dry matter intake, ADG, and F:G were poorest with the SFC treatment. Urinary PD:creatinine (PD:C) ratio was greatest with the BYPROD treatment and lowest with the SFC treatment, measuring 0.94, 1.18, and 1.25 for the SFC, UREA, and BYPROD treatments, respectively. Regardless of diet, PD:C was greater with samples collected later in the day, and differences in PD:C due to diet can be observed regardless of collection time.

Animal performance and N dynamics of different grazing management and supplementation strategies in cattle production systems were evaluated on smooth bromegrass pastures in eastern Nebraska. Steers supplemented with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on non-fertilized smooth bromegrass pastures gained more (0.58 lb/d) than steers on fertilized and non-fertilized smooth bromegrass. Nitrogen retention per steer supplemented with DDGS was 38.5% greater than non supplemented steers on fertilized smooth bromegrass and non-supplemented steers on non-fertilized smooth bromegrass stocked at 69% of the rate on fertilized pastures. Fertilized and supplemented pastures were stocked at equal densities. Nitrogen use efficiency based on the amount of N applied as either fertilizer or in DDGS was 3.2 times greater for supplemented steers than non-supplemented steers grazing fertilized pasture (26.38 % vs. 8.23%). Dried distillers grains can be used as a substitute for forage and N fertilizer by improving performance, reducing cost of gains, and increasing N retention in yearling steers.

Dry-rolled corn (DRC), high-moisture corn (HMC), or steam-flaked corn (SFC) was replaced with increasing levels of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS; 0, 15, 27.5, 40% DM) to determine if an interaction exists between corn processing method and WDGS level in finishing steer diets. Optimal feedlot performance was observed with 40%, 27.5%, and 15% WDGS in DRC, HMC, and SFC based diets, respectively. Fat thickness, DMI, and marbling score responded quadratically to WDGS level and incidence of liver abscess decreased linearly with increasing WDGS levels. In conclusion, a greater response to WDGS level was observed with less intensely processed corn.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dried distillers grains (DDG) supplementation level and composition on growing steer performance and forage intake. Factors included DDG supplementation level (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 or 1.00% of BW), and DDG solubles level (0, 5.4, 14.5, 19.1, or 22.1% DM). Final BW improved, and forage intake decreased with increasing levels of DDG. An interaction between DDG supplementation level and solubles level was observed on ADG and F:G and was likely related to supplemental fat levels. Supplementation of forages with DDG improves performance while decreasing forage intake when fat levels are not too great.

An experiment evaluated the live BW response of steers being fed Optaflexx for various durations. The design consisted of two Optaflexx levels (0 vs. 200 mg per steer daily) and two Optaflexx feeding durations (28 or 42 days immediately prior to slaughter). However, Optaflexx was started on the same day (day 151 of the feeding period). Feeding 200 mg/steer daily of Optaflexx significantly (P<0.01) improved final BW, ADG, and F:G compared to controls. Feeding 200 mg /steer daily of Optaflexx provided 16.4 and 18.8 lb of added BW above controls for the 28 and 42 feeding duration, respectively, but most (approximately 87%) of this weight gain was within the first 28 days of the time that Optaflexx was fed.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of level of a low protein distillers by-product, Dakota Bran Cake (DBRAN), on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of yearling steers. Diets contained 0, 15, 30, 45% DBRAN, or 30% dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS), replacing corn (DM basis). Final BW, ADG, and F:G improved linearly and daily DMI had a quadratic positive response as level of DBRAN in the diet increased. With the exception of HCW, there were no significant differences for carcass characteristics. The DBRAN had feeding performance similar to DDGS at the same inclusion level. Feeding DBRAN in this trial, up to 45% of the diet, resulted in improved performance compared to feeding high-moisture/dry-rolled corn, suggesting DBRAN has 100 - 108% of the energy value of corn.

Finishing steer calves were fed 0, 100, or 200 mg/head/day of Optaflexx for the final 28, 35, or 42 days of the finishing period. Steers were started on Optaflexx treatment at one-week intervals and marketed as a single group. Feeding Optaflexx to feedlot steers increased ADG, improved F:G, and increased carcass weight. Feeding 200 mg/head/day of Optaflexx improved feed conversion by 8.1% without impacting carcass characteristics. Feeding Optaflexx at 200 mg/head/d for 28 to 42 days appears beneficial when compared with feeding diets without Optaflexx.

An economic analysis was conducted using feedlot performance, current feed ingredient prices, trucking, and cost of feeding inputs to determine economics of feeding wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) at five dietary inclusions. The analysis also incorporated positive corn basis into the model. Cattle returns are greatest when incorporated WDGS is fed at 30 to 40% of DM at feedlots located between 0 and 60 miles from the plant. As distance of the feedlot increases from 60 to 100 miles from the plant, optimum inclusion is between 20 and 30% of dietary DM. Either a 5 or 10 cent positive corn basis decreases net returns on cattle by approximately $2 for each $0.05 increase in corn bushel price, but optimum inclusion amounts do not change based on distance from the plant. Results indicate more than just the cost of the product influence the economics of feeding WDGS.

An experiment evaluated the effects of six corn processing methods in feedlot diets containing 30% (DM basis) wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS). Treatments consisted of whole corn, dry-rolled corn, a dry-rolled/ high-moisture corn mix, high-moisture corn, steam flaked corn, and fine ground corn. The ADG was highest for steers receiving dry-rolled corn, high-moisture corn, or a 50:50 blend of dry-rolled and high-moisture corn. Feed conversion was best for steers receiving high-moisture corn. Interestingly, cattle fed finely ground corn or steam-flaked corn did not gain or convert as well as expected. Results indicate that there is a performance advantage obtained by processing corn as either dry-rolled or high-moisture when included with WDGS in finishing diets.

An experiment evaluated the effects of six dietary inclusions of wet distillers grain plus solubles (WDGS) on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of yearling steers, and also evaluated the energy value of WDGS relative to corn. Treatments consisted of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% (DM basis) dietary inclusion of WDGS. Final BW, DMI, and ADG increased quadratically, while feed: gain decreased quadratically as WDGS inclusion increased from 0 to 50% of DM. No differences in carcass characteristics were observed among treatments. Energy value of WDGS relative to corn was above 100% for all inclusion levels and decreased (178 to 121%) as dietary WDGS inclusion increased, (10 to 50% of DM). Results indicate that WDGS can be used effectively in finishing diets, with optimum performance being observed at 30 to 40% dietary inclusion.

Crossbred steers fed with varying levels of wet distillers grains to test the incidence of liver-like off-flavors. USDA Choice steaks, when compared to USDA Select, had significantly higher trained sensory muscle fiber tenderness scores, less detectable connective tissue, higher juiciness scores, and more intense off-flavor ratings. USDA Choice steaks had a higher percentage of panelists denote liver-like and metallic off-flavors. Wet distillers grains did not significantly influence off-flavor indicating these by-products can be used to finish cattle without causing detrimental effects on the sensory profile.

Dried distillers grains (DDGS) were fed to weanling steer calves grazing nonirrigated corn residue to determine daily gain response and residue intake response to increasing levels of DDGS (from 1.5 to 6.5 lb/day in 1 lb increments). The DDGS was fed individually using Calan electronic gates. Daily gain increased from 0.9 (1.5 lb DDGS) to 1.8 (6.5 lb DDGS) lb/day . Forage intake decreased from 11.3 (1.5 lb DDGS) to 8.3 (6.5 lb DDGS) lb/day . Results provide information for selecting a DDGS supplementation level to achieve a target gain.

The fuel ethanol industry is currently experiencing tremendous growth with production estimates in excess of 30 billion liters over the next decade. Byproducts from the production of fuel ethanol are distillers grains and condensed distillers solubles which are often mixed together to produce wet or dry distillers grains plus solubles. Past research has demonstrated that wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) has a higher energy value relative to corn in finishing diets for feedlot cattle, which, along with an increasing supply, has made it an attractive feed ingredient. Six feeding trials and one economic analysis evaluated the use of distillers grains plus solubles in finishing diets. Feedlot cattle fed increasing dietary inclusions of WDGS demonstrated greatest feed efficiency at a 40% WDGS inclusion (DM basis). Wet distillers grains plus solubles returned more dollars per head than conventional high concentrate feeding. Dietary inclusions of WDGS that maximize return are between 30 and 40% of diet DM near the ethanol plant or up to 48 km from the plant while the economics favor dietary inclusions between 20 and 30% of diet DM between 48 and 161 km from the ethanol plant. Cattle fed dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) supplemented with degradable intake protein (DIP) performed similar to cattle not supplemented with DIP. Cattle fed high-moisture corn based finishing diets with 30% WDGS had greater feed efficiencies than cattle fed corn processed by five other methods. Performance for cattle supplemented with corn oil were lower compared with cattle fed equal amounts of dietary fat provided from WDGS; however, cattle fed DDGS or tallow in finishing diets containing 20% wet corn gluten feed demonstrated similar finishing performance. Cattle fed WDGS demonstrated lower acetate: propionate ratios, greater fat digestibility, and more unsaturated fatty acids reaching the duodenum than cattle fed supplemental corn oil. These data demonstrate the effectiveness

Sixty steers were individually fed for a 101-day period to evaluate two corn processing methods, dry rolled (DRC) or 29% moisture reconstituted corn (HMC), in combination with two levels of alfalfa hay (0% and 7% DM) in finishing diets containing 25% wet corn gluten feed (WCGF). Final body weight was greater for the steers fed DRC compared to steers fed HMC diets. Steers receiving DRC treatments had a 16% higher DMI than HMC treatments. DMI was greater in the DRC 7% alfalfa treatment than DRC 0% alfalfa treatment, while there was no difference between the HMC treatments. There was a trend for a better feed conversion for DRC 0% alfalfa hay compared to HMC 0% alfalfa hay. The results indicate that 25% WCGF inclusion level was insufficient to overcome the subacute acidosis associated with diets based on high moisture corn in this study.

An experiment evaluated the effects of finishing diets containing dried distillers grains supplemented with degradable intake protein on performance and carcass characteristics of yearling heifers. Diets contained 10% or 20% dried distillers grains (DDG) with or without 0.80 or 0.63% urea. Degradable intake protein balances were -192 (10% DDG no urea), 58 (10% DDG + urea), -111 (20% DDG), and 81 (20% DDG + urea) grams/day. No response in performance or carcass characteristics were observed among treatments. The results indicate sufficient amounts of urea were recycled to the rumen to meet the degradable intake protein requirement. Therefore, supplemental degradable intake protein is not necessary in finishing diets containing dried distillers grains at 10% or 20% of diet DM.

A finishing trial was conducted to determine the effects of corn moisture and degradable intake protein level on cattle performance. Diets consisted of 65% processed corn, either dry-rolled, high-moisture at 24% or 30% moisture, or reconstituted dry corn at 28% or 35% moisture. Degradable intake protein levels were evaluated by adding 0%, 0.45% or 0.90% urea (DM basis). Supplementing 0.45% urea increased performance and sufficiently met degradable intake protein requirements. Diets containing high-moisture and reconstituted corn improved cattle performance compared to diets containing dry-rolled corn. Increasing the moisture of ensiled corn further enhanced the feeding value of corn by improving cattle performance.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of decreasing digestibility of a finishing diet by replacing dry rolled corn (DRC) with corn bran, or a combination of corn bran and steep, on cattle performance and nitrogen mass balance in open feedlots. Replacement of DRC with bran had no impact on performance when steep was included in the finishing diets at 15% DM. Feeding bran and steep, in combination, was an effective means of reducing N losses in winter, as well as maintaining cattle performance throughout the year.

Two forage sources, high and low quality, were used to evaluate effects of five levels of dried distillers grains on forage intake. Ninety heifer calves were fed high or low quality forage, supplemented with 0, 1.5, 3, 4.5, or 6 lb DM dried distillers grains. Forage intakes linearly decreased as dried distillers grains increased. Average daily gain increased linearly with increased dried distillers grains indicating that dried distillers grains can be a protein and energy supplement source and a substitute for forage. Dried distillers grains are an economical supplement to cattle on either high or low quality forage diets.

Two-hundred-and-eighty yearling steers were used to evaluate effects of increasing levels of a corn milling byproduct combination (Blend) (50% wet corn gluten feed, 50% wet distillers grains; DM basis) and different alfalfa hay levels on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Levels of Blend were 0%, 25%, 50% or 75% diet DM. Alfalfa level was either kept constant at 7.5% of DM or the forage level decreased, i.e., 7.5%, 5.0%, 2.5%, and 0% alfalfa for the 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% Blend, respectively. Steer DMI, ADG, and F:G responded quadratically (P<0.05), with the greatest ADG and improved at 25% and 50% blend. These results suggest that feeding a 50:50 combination of wet corn gluten feed and wet distillers grains for up to 50% of a diet will enhance cattle performance.

Two finishing trials were conducted to compare the addition of fat from either wet or dry distillers byproducts (WDGS; DDGS) to that provided from one of two commercially available fat sources (corn oil, Trial 1; tallow, Trial 2). In Trial 1, feed conversion and ADG decreased linearly as level of corn oil increased, while feed conversion and ADG were improved numerically as the level of WDGS increased in the diet. In Trial 2, no differences in performance were observed comparing cattle fed dry distillers grains plus solubles to cattle fed diets containing tallow. WDGS provided 12 and 17% more net energy for gain when fed at 20 and 40% of the diet compared to a dry rolled/high moisture corn mix.

Two finishing trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding corn root worm protected (Bt) and Roundup Ready® (RR) corn hybrids on animal performance and carcass characteristics in the feedlot. Two commercially available non-genetically engineered reference hybrids, and the nontransgenic control hybrid were compared to the two genetically enhanced hybrids. No significant differences were observed on animal performance or carcass characteristics for either trial as a result of corn source in feed.

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of in situ bag rinsing technique and sample size on the variation of undegradable intake protein (UIP) and dry matter disappearance (DMD) of soybean meal (SBM) and Soypass, a heat-treated soybean meal. Five rinsing techniques and five sample sizes were used to test effects. Soybean meal had higher DMD, lower UIP and higher variance for UIP than Soypass. A steer difference was noted for experiments with steer as a replication and also contributed a larger effect than day and run within day. Rinsing technique and sample size were not significant in concentrate fed steers but were in mixed diet steers. There was a rinsing difference with highest machine rinses having higher DMD and lower UIP values. A size difference was noted with largest sample size having lowest DMD and highest UIP. No difference was found between hand and machine rinsing and no evidence was found to eliminate the use of an increased sample size.

Two metabolism trials evaluated the impact of dietary fiber source, level, and digestibility on daily production of bacterial crude protein. In the first trial evaluating corn silage, digestibility was unaffected while daily bacterial crude protein production estimated from urinary allantoin excretion tended to be higher as corn silage replaced corn. In the second trial digestibility was significantly lower for the finishing diets containing higher levels of dietary corn bran.