Beef

Effects of Replacing Corn Grain and Urea With Condensed Corn Distillers Solubles on Performance and Carcass Value of Finishing Steers

Authors: ,

Abstract

Ninety-six yearling steers weighing 850 lbs were used in a study to evaluate condensed distillers solubles (CDS) for a dry mill corn processing plant as a replacement for a portion of the corn grain and supplemental nitrogen in a finishing ration supplemented with urea. Condensed distillers solubles were fed at 0%, 4%, 8% and 12% of ration dry matter in a 109-day experiment. Feeding CDS at these levels had no effect on performance of the cattle, carcass measurements or carcass value in a value-based grid. The calculated replacement value of CDS in this study was considerably less than observed in two previous experiments, likely due to experimental variation or possibly variability of CDS among processing plants. Based on the results of the three experiments, CDS has value as a feed for finishing cattle and its relative energy value is equal to or greater than corn grain. When justified based on cost of CDS compared with corn and protein supplement, CDS can be fed to finishing cattle without reducing performance or carcass value.

Keywords: ASL R1884

How to Cite: Trenkle, A. H. & Pingel, D. (2004) “Effects of Replacing Corn Grain and Urea With Condensed Corn Distillers Solubles on Performance and Carcass Value of Finishing Steers”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report. 1(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-580