Beef

Lick Tanks to Deliver Condensed Corn Distillers Solubles to Summer Grazing Beef Cows

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Abstract

This project was a preliminary investigation of the use of lick tanks to deliver condensed corn distillers soluble (CCDS) to summer grazing beef cows. During the first four paddock rotations, there was an increase in the amount of pasture dry matter consumed. As hot, dry weather persisted, forage quality and hence, pasture dry matter intake declined. This was accompanied by increased dry matter consumption of CCDS. Dry matter consumption of CCDS ranged from 2.66 pounds (14.8 pounds as-fed at the beginning of the project) to 8.11 pounds (30 pounds as-fed near the end of the project). Dietary intake of sulfur ranged from .43 to .62% of total diet dry matter. However, cattle health appeared to be unaffected by CCDS intake. Mold analyses for the CCDS are incomplete. Yeasts were consistently isolated from the assayed samples, but very few colonies of filamentous fungi (molds) were recovered. In fact, in most samples mold colonies were not detected. Mycotoxins were non-detectable for all mycotoxins analyzed, except fumonisins, which were present at low levels in all CCDS samples and likely came from the original grain. This data suggests that, if carefully managed, lick tanks may be used to deliver CCDS to summer grazing cows. However, the cows in this project had access to ample quantities of pasture and corn silage. A shortage of additional feedstuffs could alter the conclusions of this project.

Keywords: ASL R2291

How to Cite:

Doran, B., Ensley, S., Imerman, P., Loy, D. D., Morrical, D. G. & Munkvold, G. P., (2008) “Lick Tanks to Deliver Condensed Corn Distillers Solubles to Summer Grazing Beef Cows”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 5(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-551