Progress 02/20/07 to 02/19/13
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Five studies were initiated. Three animal performance studies investigated the interaction of level of alfalfa hay and solubles inclusion in diets containing wet distillers grains, the interaction of grain source and wet distillers grains inclusion, and the impacts of treating wet distillers grains with a buffered enzyme. Additionally, the effects of lipid extraction of dried distillers grains on ruminal protein degradability was determined. Finally, the effects of including lipid extracted algae as a protein source in steam-flaked corn-based diets compared to urea was investigated. Information was disseminated to audiences national in scope through invited presentations at the Plains Nutrition Council spring meeting and at the national meeting of the American Society of Animal Science. A class in advance statistics was taught to students in agricultural sciences. Five graduate students, three undergraduate students, and one post-doctoral research associate were mentored. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals who worked in the program include: Jhones Sarturi, Postdoctoral research associate, Ronnie Williams, Agricultural Technician; Emalee Buttrey, PhD student, Robby Bondurant, MS student, Stacey Butler, MS student, Beverly Clark, MS student, and Casey Brauer, MS student. Partner organizations include West Texas A&M University; USDA ARS Conservation Production Research Laboratory in Bushland TX; Texas AgriLife Extension; Texas Tech University; Texas Cattle Feeder's Association; Texas Beef Council; Texas Corn Producer's Board. Collaborators include Dr. Ted McCollum, Dr. Andy Cole, Dr. Pablo Pinedo, Dr. Mike Brown, Dr. Mike Galyean, Dr. Ty Lawrence, Dr. Brock Blaser, Dr. David Lust, Dr. Bill Pinchak, Dr. Paul DeLaune, and Dr. Tyon Wickersham. Three undergraduate were given training opportunities through employment in the program. TARGET AUDIENCES: Three primary target audiences exist. The first is beef producers who can directly apply the knowledge in their production systems. The second is the producers of the byproducts we are investigating, such as ethanol producers. This is important so they understand how modifications to their processes affect the feeding value of their byproducts. The third target audience is consumers of beef products. Our efforts to quantify the effects of byproduct use on the quality and acceptance of beef will be important as they make purchasing decisions in their daily lives. Other clientele include allied industry personnel, commodity groups, regulatory agencies, and interested citizens. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Over the course of six years, the performance response to feeding distillers grains in the Southern Plains has been defined for newly received calves, growing calves, yearlings grazing wheat pasture, and finishing steers and heifers. Differences in the observations of performance responses to distillers grains feeding between the northern and southern plains have been reconciled and can be largely attributed to differences in distillers grains products created by the fermentation of different cereal grains and by the addition of different levels of solubles added to the wet grains. An alternative strategy to improve the digestibility of distillers grains through the use of buffered enzymes has been provided. The use of grain sorghum in finishing diets has been encouraged by demonstrating an improvement in feed efficiency when replacing a portion of the steam-flaked corn with finely ground sorghum in diets containing wet distillers grains. This could become increasingly important as water becomes limiting in the southern plains feeding region. Finally, an optimal level of alfalfa hay in steam-flaked corn-based diets containing wet distillers grains has been defined at 8%.
Publications
- Buttrey, E. K., M. K. Luebbe, R. G. Bondurant, and J. C. MacDonald. 2012. Case Study: Grain adaptation of yearling steers to steam-flaked corn-based diets using a complete starter feed. The Professional Animal Scientist. 28:482-488.
- Hales, K. E., N. A. Cole, and J. C. MacDonald. 2012. Effects of corn processing method and dietary inclusion of wet distillers grains with solubles on energy metabolism, carbon-nitrogen balance, and methane emissions of cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 90:3174-3185.
- Buttrey, E. K., F. T McCollum III, K. H. Jenkins, J. M. Patterson, B. E. Clark, M. K. Luebbe, T. E. Lawrence, and J. C. MacDonald. 2012. Use of dried distillers grains throughout a beef production system: Effects on stocker and finishing performance, carcass characteristics, and fatty acid profile of beef. J. Anim. Sci. 90:2381-2393.
- Meyer, B. E., C. L. Bouma, and J. C. MacDonald. 2013. Case Study: Determination of protein digestibility of dried distillers grains containing 3 lipid concentrations using a mobile bag method. The Professional Animal Scientist. 28:678-681.
- Galyean, M. L., N. A. Cole, M. S. Brown, J. C. MacDonald, C. H. Ponce, and J. S. Schutz. 2012. Utilization of wet distillers grains in high-energy beef cattle diets based on processed grain. In H. P. S. Makkar, editor, Biofuel co-products as livestock feed - Opportunities and challenges. FAO. Rome, Italy. p. 61-76.
- MacDonald, JC., and F. T. McCollum III. 2012. Research update from Texas AgriLife Research at Amarillo. Pp. 104-106, In: Proc. 2012 Plains Nutrition Council Spring Conference, San Antonio, TX. AREC 2012-26. Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Ctr, Amarillo, TX.
- Bondurant, R. G., M. K. Luebbe, K. Hales, N. A. Cole, and J. C. MacDonald. 2012. Use of crude glycerin in steam-flaked corn-based growing diets. J. Anim. Sci. 90 (E-Suppl 2): 45-46 (Abstr.).
- MacDonald, J. C., and F. T. McCollum III. 2012. WSASAS Symposium: Growing Cattle: The future of stocker/backgrounding systems in beef production: Opportunities for grazing cattle systems. J. Anim. Sci. 90 (E-Suppl 3): 500-501 (Abstr.).
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Eleven research studies were initiated: one related to site of digestion, one utilizing indirect calorimetry, four related to growing/finishing animal performance, and three lab scale studies. The animal performance studies investigated the use of a complete starter feed (RAMP) in step-up diets of steers being adapted to a finishing diet; the use of wet distiller's grains treated with buffered enzymes on animal performance; the replacement of a portion of steam-flaked corn with fine-ground sorghum, or dry-rolled corn with wet distiller's grains in the finishing diets, and the addition of distiller's solubles to diets containing WDGS with different levels of alfalfa hay. The site of digestion study also investigated the addition of distiller's solubles to diets containing WDGS with different levels of alfalfa hay. The calorimetry study determined the energy value of dried distiller's grains with varying levels of fat. Finally, the lab-scale studies attempted to identify feasible strategies to improve the digestibility of distiller's grains in ruminant diets, and investigated the gas production from the wash-out fraction of in situ digestion studies. Information was disseminated through seven invited talks to key audiences including 1) Visiting producers from other states and countries, 2) Commodity organizations (Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas Corn Producers, Texas Sorghum Producers) interested in distillers grains use by beef cattle, and 3) producers in the Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico region. Additionally, information was shared with other scientists at the Plains Nutrition Council meeting, ethanol producers throughout the US, and a several groups of students from various universities. One class on advanced livestock management was taught to graduate students at West Texas A&M University, and mentoring was provided for five undergraduate students and three graduate students. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals who worked in the program include: Rex VanMeter, Farm Manager; Jodi Patterson, research associate; Ronnie Williams, Agricultural Technician; Emalee Buttrey, PhD student, Robby Bondurant, MS student, Stacey Butler, MS student, Beverly Clark, MS student, Trey Warnock, PhD student. Partner organizations include West Texas A&M University; USDA ARS Conservation Production Research Laboratory in Bushland TX; Texas AgriLife Extension; Texas Tech University; Texas Cattle Feeder's Association; Texas Beef Council; Texas Corn Producer's Board. Collaborators include Dr. Ted McCollum, Dr. Andy Cole, Dr. Mike Brown, Dr. Mike Galyean, Dr. Ty Lawrence, Dr. Brock Blaser, Dr. David Lust, Dr. Bill Pinchak, Dr. Paul DeLaune, and Dr. Tyon Wickersham. Five undergraduate were given training opportunities through employment in the program. TARGET AUDIENCES: Three primary target audiences exist. The first is beef producers who can directly apply the knowledge in their production systems. The second is the producers of the byproducts we are investigating, such as ethanol producers. This is important so they understand how modifications to their processes affect the feeding value of their byproducts. The third target audience is consumers of beef products. Our efforts to quantify the effects of byproduct use on the quality and acceptance of beef will be important as they make purchasing decisions in their daily lives. Other clientele include allied industry personnel, commodity groups, regulatory agencies, and interested citizens. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The use of a complete starter feed (RAMP) to adapt yearlings to a finishing diet appears to result in 17 lb of additional carcass weight and reduces total roughage use by 30%. We hypothesize the additional carcass weight is the result of increased energy intake during a time when composition of gain is especially efficient. The reduction in forage use is beneficial from the standpoint of mill management. Additionally, when forage is extremely limited and expensive, such as during drought conditions, the complete starter reduces feed costs. The use of buffered enzymes appears to hold promise in improving the digestibility of wet distiller's grains. We have previously reported that inclusion of wet distiller's grains reduces animal performance and diet digestibility. Our work with buffered enzymes suggests that raising the pH of wet distiller's grains to near-neutral allows enzymes to reduce the fiber content of WDGS, thereby improving digestibility. We have also observed that the rumen degradability of protein is improved with buffered enzymes. However, when we fed wet distiller's grains treated with buffered enzymes to growing steers, we saw no improvement in animal performance. We suspect this is because in high forage diets, reduced fiber content in wet distiller's grains resulted in only a small reduction (5%) in dietary NDF. A larger (25%) would be observed in finishing diets. Therefore, finishing diets may benefit more from the use of buffered enzymes compared to high forage growing diets. The optimal level of alfalfa hay in diets containing wet distiller's grains has not been identified. We have previously shown the level of alfalfa hay can be reduced to 7.5% without negatively impacting animal performance. In our current study, it appears animal performance is reduced at 6% alfalfa hay and maximized at 8% alfalfa hay. Roughage inclusions similar to 7.5% to 8% alfalfa hay may optimize the use of wet distiller's grains in finishing diets.
Publications
- Luebbe, M. K., J. M. Patterson, K. H. Jenkins, E. K. Buttrey, T. C. Davis, B. E. Clark, F. T McCollum III, N. A. Cole, and J. C. MacDonald. 2012. Wet distillers grains plus solubles concentration in steam-flaked corn-based diets: Effects on feedlot cattle performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal fermentation characteristics. J. Anim. Sci. Published ahead of print December 6, 2011, doi:10.2527/jas.2011-4567.
- MacDonald, J. C. and M. K. Luebbe. 2012. Case Study: Grain adaptation for feedlot cattle using high concentrations of wet corn gluten feed in steam-flaked corn-based diets. The Professional Animal Scientist 28:131-139.
- Sarkirkin, S. L., C. L. S. Morgan, J. C. MacDonald, and B. W. Auvermann. 2011. Effect of diet composition on the determination of ash and moisture content in solid cattle manure using visibible and near-infrared spectroscopy. Applied Spectroscopy. 65:1056-1061.
- Baumhardt, R. L., R. C. Schwartz, J. C. MacDonald, and J. A. Tolk. 2011. Tillage and cattle grazing effects on crop growth and grain yield of a dryland wheat-sorghum-fallow rotation. Agron. J. 103:914-922.
- McCuistion, K. C., F. T. McCollum III, L. W. Greene, J. MacDonald, and B. Bean. 2011. Performance of stocker cattle grazing 2 sorghum-sudangrass hybrids under various stocking rates. The Professional Animal Scientist 27:92-100.
- MacDonald, JC. 2011. Grain milling by-products and fiber digestibility in grazing and finishing beef cattle. Proc. SW Nutrition and Management Conference. Feb 24, 2011. Tempe, AZ. Available at: http://ag.arizona.edu/ANS/swnmc/.
- MacDonald, JC, NA Cole, and K Hales. 2011 Use of Technology and Implications for the Environment. Proc. SW Beef Symposium Conference. Jan. 18, 2011, Amarillo, TX. Available at: http://swbs.nmsu.edu/documents/macdonald-management-technologies.pdf.
- Bondurant, R. G., J. C. MacDonald, and M. K. Luebbe. 2011. Starting cattle on high levels of SWEET BRAN or RAMP in the Southern Plains feedlots. Pp. 89-90. In: Proc. 2011 Plains Nutrition Council Spring Conference, San Antonio, TX. AREC 11-15. Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Ctr, Amarillo, TX. (Abstr.).
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Eleven research studies were initiated: two related to site of digestion, five related to growing/finishing animal performance, one grazing performance, and two lab scale studies. The animal performance studies investigated the use of a branded wet corn gluten feed (Sweet Bran) in step-up diets of steers being adapted to a finishing diet; the use of crude glycerin in growing and finishing diets; the use of wet distiller's grains in the diets of newly received calves. The site of digestion studies investigated the use of crude glycerin in growing diets, and the use of wet distiller's grains in finishing diets. The grazing studies investigated supplementation of dried distiller's grain to steers grazing the wheat pastures, and the impacts of farming practices on the performance of steers grazing sorghum sudangrass. Finally, the lab-scale studies attempted to identify feasible strategies to improve the digestibility of distiller's grains in ruminant diets. Information was disseminated through fourteen invited talks to key audiences including 1) Visiting producers from other states and countries, 2) Commodity organizations (Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas Corn Producers, Texas Sorghum Producers) interested in distillers grains use by beef cattle, and 3) producers in the Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico region. Additionally, information was shared with other scientists at the National American Society of Animal Science meetings, and a several groups of students from various universities. One two-week section of animal physiology was taught to students at West Texas A&M University, and mentoring was provided for eight undergraduate students and one high school student employed in the research program, and one graduate student. PARTICIPANTS: Indiviuals who worked in the program include: Rex VanMeter, Farm Manager; Dr. Matt Luebbe, Post-doctoral research associate; Jodi Patterson, research associate; Ronnie Williams, Agricultural Technician; Emalee Buttrey, PhD student, Robby Bondurant, MS student. Partner organizations include West Texas A&M University; USDA ARS Conservation Production Research Laboratory in Bushland TX; Texas AgriLife Extension; Texas Tech University; Texas Cattle Feeder's Association; Texas Beef Council; Texas Corn Producer's Board. Collaborators include Dr. Ted McCollum, Dr. Andy Cole, Dr. Mike Brown, Dr. Mike Galyean, Dr. Ty Lawrence, Dr. Brock Blaser, Dr. David Lust, Dr. Bill Pinchak, Dr. Paul DeLaune, Dr. Tyon Wickersham. Eight undergraduate students and one high school student were given training opportunities through employment in the program. TARGET AUDIENCES: Three primary target audiences exist. The first is beef producers who can directly apply the knowledge in their production systems. The second is the producers of the byproducts we are investigating, such as ethanol producers. This is important so they understand how modifications to their processes affect the feeding value of their byproducts. The third target audience is consumers of beef products. Our efforts to quantify the effects of byproduct use on the quality and acceptance of beef will be important as they make purchasing decisions in their daily lives. Other clientele include allied industry personnel, commodity groups, regulatory agencies, and interested citizens. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
When the biodiesel industry becomes a viable contributor to bioenergy production, the use of crude glycerin in beef growing and finishing diets will increase. Our work with growing diets shows a great deal of promise using glycerin in growing diets. Five to eight percent glycerin inclusion appears to be optimal for growing calves. The addition of glycerin shifts the volatile fatty acid production in the rumen toward increased propionate, which is energetically beneficial. The titration of wet distiller's grains into finishing diets reduces animal performance and feed efficiency, likely due to a shift in fermentation from starch to fiber. Dietary fiber concentrations increase with increasing wet distiller's grains inclusion. Volatile fatty acid production favors acetate and reduces propionate, which is expected with increased dietary fiber content. Increasing wet distillers grains in finishing diets reduced organic matter digestion in the rumen, but no differences in post-ruminal digestion were observed. An unexpected result was increased starch digestibility on the small intestine. This may be the result of increased protein entering the small intestine which stimulates amylase production. The use of buffered enzymes show promise in improving the digestibility of wet distiller's grains. The use of wet distiller's grains in the diets of newly received calves appears to have no detrimental impacts on animal health or performance. The supplementation of dried distillers grains to steers grazing wheat pasture results in slight improvements in average daily gain. Preliminary results suggest that it may be possible to increase wheat yields by supplementing dried distillers grains because it reduces forage intake. While neither the improvements in animal gain or wheat yield would along justify the supplementation of dried distillers grains to steers grazing wheat pasture, the combination may improve profitability. More data are needed before conclusions can be made. Wet corn gluten feed is commonly fed in finishing diets and is known to control ruminal acidosis. We utilized wet corn gluten feed in combination with low levels of alfalfa hay or cottonseed hulls to adapt steers to a finishing diet. This strategy resulted in 17 pounds of additional carcass weight and a small improvement in gain. A second study evaluated the number of days required to adapt steers to a finisher using wet corn gluten feed. There were small differences in animal performance when cattle were adapted in 14 to 30 days. Eighteen days appears optimal. The use of wet corn gluten feed again resulted in an additional 17 pounds of hot carcass weight compared to traditional methods for adapting steers to finishing diets.
Publications
- MK Luebbe, TC Davis, KH Jenkins, FT McCollum III, NA Cole, and JC MacDonald. 2010. Effect of wet distillers grains plus solubles concentration in steam-flaked corn-based finishing diets on performance and carcass characteristics of beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. 88E-Suppl. 2:231 (Abstr.).
- EK Buttrey, FT McCollum III, JC MacDonald and KH Jenkins. 2010. Use of dried distillers grains throughout a beef production system: I. Stocker phase. J. Anim. Sci. 88E-Suppl. 2:230 (Abstr.).
- EK Buttrey, FT McCollum III, JC MacDonald and KH Jenkins. 2010. Use of dried distillers grains throughout a beef production system: II. Finishing phase. J. Anim. Sci. 88E-Suppl. 2:230 (Abstr.).
- L Tracey, CH Ponce, JB Osterstock, JC MacDonald MS Brown, and SL Lodge-Ivey. 2010. Effect of distillers grains with soluble on rumen bacteria community profiles in individually-fed cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 88E-Suppl. 2:4 (Abstr.).
- Osterstock, J.B., J.C. MacDonald, M.M. Boggess, and M.S. Brown. 2010. Technical Note: Analysis of ordinal outcomes from carcass data in beef cattle research. J. Anim. Sci. 88:3384-3389.
- AP Foote, BD Lambert, JA Brady, MS Brown, JB Osterstock, JC MacDonald and NA Cole. 2010. Expression of phosphate transporter in small intestine, kidney, and parotid salivary gland of cattle fed differing levels of phosphorus. J. Anim. Sci. 88E-Suppl. 2:702 (Abstr.).
- JC MacDonald and FT McCollum III. 2010. Effects of roughage and protein source in receiving diets containing 25% wet corn gluten feed on performance and morbidity of newly received calves. J. Anim. Sci. 88E-Suppl. 3:23-24 (Abstr.).
- RC Anderson, MS Brown, WE Pinchak, JB Osterstock, JC MacDonald, W Coufal, NA Krueger, TR Callaway, TS Edrington, RB Harvey, and DJ Nisbet. 2010. Diets high in ruminal undegradable intake protein do not enhance intestinal carriage of Campylobacter spp. in fed cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 88E-Suppl. 3: 27 (Abstr.).
- Buttrey, EK, FT McCollum III, JC MacDonald, and KH Jenkins. 2010. Use of dried distillers grains throughout a beef production system. Proc. 2010 Plains Nutrition Council Spring Conference, San Antonio, TX. Texas A&M Res. and Ext. Publ. No. AREC 10-57: 99-100 (Abstr.).
- Ponce, C, M Brown, J Osterstock, NA Cole, T. Lawrence, J MacDonald, C Maxwell, J. Wallace, and B Coufal. 2010. Effects of non-protein nitrogen and wet distillers grains with soluble on growth performance, carcass merit, mineral status, tissue enzyme activities, and visceral organ mass by feedlot cattle. Proc. 2010 Plains Nutrition Council Spring Conference, San Antonio, TX. Texas A&M Res. and Ext. Publ. No. AREC 10-57: 114 (Abstr.)
- JC MacDonald and FT McCollum III. 2010. Effects of roughage and protein source in receiving diets containing 25% wet corn gluten feed on performance and morbidity of newly received calves. J. Anim. Sci. 88E-Suppl. 3:accepted (Abstr.).
- RC Anderson, MS Brown, WE Pinchak, JB Osterstock, JC MacDonald, W Coufal, NA Krueger, TR Callaway, TS Edrington, RB Harvey, and DJ Nisbet. 2010. Diets high in ruminal undegradable intake protein do not enhance intestinal carriage of Campylobacter spp. in fed cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 88E-Suppl. 3:accepted (Abstr.).
- MacDonald, JC, 2009. Use of Distillers Byproducts in the Southern Plains. Proc. Husker Beef Nutrition Conference. Nov. 6, 2009, Mead, NE.
- MacDonald, JC, NA Cole, and K Hales. 2010 Use of Technology and Implications for the Environment. Proc. Husker Beef Nutrition Conference. Nov. 12, 2010, Mead, NE.
- Edrington, TS, JC MacDonald, RL Farrow, TR Callaway, RC Anderson, and DJ Nisbet. 2010. Influence of wet distillers grains on prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in feedlot cattle and antimicrobial susceptibility of generic Escherichia coli isolates. Foodborne Pathog. Dis. 7(5):605-608 DOI:10.1089.
- Geisert, BG, GE Erickson, TJ Klopfenstein, CN Macken, MK Luebbe, and JC MacDonald. 2010. Phosphorus requirements and excretion of phosphorus for finishing beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 88:2393-2402
- MK Luebbe, KH Jenkins, J. Patterson, EK Buttrey and JC MacDonald. 2010. Effect of wet distillers grains plus solubles concentration in steam-flaked corn-based finishing diets on nutrient digestibility. J. Anim. Sci. 88E-Suppl. 2:231 (Abstr.).
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Four research studies were initiated: one related to site of digestion, two related to animal performance, and one grazing. One animal performance study looked at optimal and maximal levels of wet distillers grains in steam-flaked corn-based finishing diets. This is the second year of the titration distillers grains study that required two years due to limited experimental units. The site of digestion study utilized the same dietary treatments as the performance distillers grains titration study. The second animal performance study utilized a commercial feed additive to improve the digestibility of distillers grains. The grazing study is the second year of a two year study investigating the interaction between supplementation on wheat pastures and performance in the feedlot using a traditional diet, and one containing distiller's grains. Information was disseminated through three invited talks to key audiences including 1) National Cattlemens Beef Association, 2) Commodity organizations (Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas Corn Producers, Texas Sorghum Producers) interested in distillers grains use by beef cattle, and 3) producers in the Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico region. Additionally, information was shared with other scientists at the National American Society of Animal Science meetings, and a group of students from Texas A&M University at Kingsville. One two-week section of animal physiology was taught to students at West Texas A&M University, and mentoring was provided for eight undergraduate students and one high school student employed in the research program, and one graduate student. PARTICIPANTS: Indiviuals who worked in the program include: Rex VanMeter, Farm Manager; Dr. Karla Jenkins, Assistant Research Scientist; Dr. Matt Luebbe, Post-doctoral research associate; Jodi Patterson, research associate; Emalee Buttrey, PhD student. Partner organizations include West Texas A&M University; USDA ARS Conservation Production Research Laboratory in Bushland TX; Texas AgriLife Extension; Texas Tech University; Texas Cattle Feeder's Association; Texas Beef Council; National Cattlemen's Beef Association; Texas Corn Producer's Board. Collaborators include Dr. Ted McCollum, Dr. Andy Cole, Dr. Mike Brown, Dr. Mike Galyean, Dr. Ty Lawrence. Eight undergraduate students and one high school student were given training opportunities through employment in the program. TARGET AUDIENCES: Three primary target audiences exist. The first is beef producers who can directly apply the knowledge in their production systems. The second is the producers of the byproducts were are investigating, such as ethanol producers. This is important so they understand how modifications to their processes affects the feeding value of their byproducts. The third target audience are consumers of beef products. Our efforts to quantify the effects of byproduct use on the quality and acceptance of beef will be important as they make purchasing decisions in their daily lives. Other clientele include allied industry personnel, commodity groups, regulatory agencies, and interested citizens. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Analysis of previous receiving studies suggests that in diets containing 25% wet corn gluten feed fed to newly received calves, feeding 30% alfalfa hay resulted in reduced dry matter intake, similar average daily gain, and improved feed efficiency compared to feeding 30% cottonseed hulls. However, steers consuming alfalfa hay were also 2.09 times as likely to require antibiotic therapy. These data support a dichotomy between increased feed efficiency and reduced morbidity for newly received calves. In a second study, no differences were detected in animal performance or antibiotic therapy between newly received calves receiving supplemental protein from non-protein nitrogen (urea), or a heated canola meal selected to provide natural protein and bypass protein. These data contradict other findings comparing non-protein nitrogen and natural bypass protein sources and may suggest the canola meal had reduced digestibility due to heating. Addition of a direct fed microbial into finishing diets containing 35% wet distillers grains reduced dry matter intake without a corresponding improvement in feed efficiency. This resulted leaner carcasses that would have required additional days on feed to reach a similar fat endpoint. These data do not support the use of a direct fed microbial to improve performance in steers fed finishing diets containing 35% wet distillers grains.
Publications
- Jenkins, KH, JC MacDonald, FT McCollum III, and SH Amosson. 2009. Effects of level of dried distillers grains supplementation on native pasture and subsequent effects on wheat pasture gains. The Professional Animal Scientist. 25:596-604.
- Loy, TW, TJ Klopfenstein, GE Erickson, CN Macken, and JC MacDonald. 2008. Effect of supplemental energy source and frequency on growing calf performance. J. Anim. Sci. 86:3504-3510.
- JC MacDonald, KH Jenkins, EK Buttrey, JB Lewis, SB Smith, RK Miller, TE Lawrence, FT McCollum III, and NA Cole. 2009. 35% corn wet distillers grains plus solubles in steam-flaked and dry-rolled corn based finishing diets: Effects on animal performance. J. Anim. Sci. 87E-Suppl. 3:122 (Abstr.).
- JC MacDonald, KH Jenkins, EK Buttrey, JB Lewis, SB Smith, RK Miller, TE Lawrence, FT McCollum III, and NA Cole. 2009. 35% corn wet distillers grains plus solubles in steam-flaked and dry-rolled corn based finishing diets: Effects on fatty acids, sensory attributes, and shelf-life. J. Anim. Sci. 87E-Suppl. 3:122 (Abstr.).
- JC MacDonald, KH Jenkins, FT McCollum III, and NA Cole. 2009. Effects of concentration of alfalfa hay on performance of steers fed steam-flaked corn-based finishing diets containing 25% sorghum wet distillers grains. J. Anim. Sci. 87E-Suppl. 3:121 (Abstr.).
- Jenkins, KH, JC MacDonald, FT McCollum III, and SH Amosson. 2009. Effects of level of dried distillers grains supplementation on native pasture and subsequent effects on wheat pasture gains. J. Anim. Sci. 87E-Suppl.3:119 (Abstr.).
- JB Lewis, KJ Jenkins, JM Patterson, NA Cole, JB Osterstock, LO Tedeschi, and JC MacDonald. 2009. Effects of corn processing method and wet distillers grains plus solubles inclusion and source on ruminal pH and in situ digestiblity of crossbred steers. J. Anim. Sci. 87E-Suppl. 3:40 (Abstr.).
- Cole, NA, J MacDonald, M Galyean, and M Brown. 2009. Interaction of grain co-products with grain processing: Associative effects and management. In Proceedings of the Oklahoma State University Cattle Grain Processing Symposium, Nov. 15-17, 2006, Tulsa, OK. MP-177:193-205.
- Baumhardt, RL, RC Schwartz, LW Greene, and J MacDonald. 2009. Cattle gain and crop yield for a dryland wheat-sorghum-fallow rotation. Agron. J. 101:150-158
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Five research studies were initiated: one related to animal health and digestion, two related to animal performance, and three related to animal digestion and metabolism. The animal health study investigated the possibility of using sodium bisulfate to acidify drinking water thereby reducing microbial exchange among newly received calves. One animal performance study looked at optimal and maximal levels of wet distiller's grains in steam-flaked corn-based finishing diets. The second animal performance study is the first year of a two year study investigating the interaction between supplementation on wheat pastures and performance in the feedlot using a traditional diet, and one containing distiller's grains. The metabolism studies were related to 1) the interaction of supplemental fat in finishing diets and inclusion of distiller's grains, 2) the digestibility of distiller's grains derived from corn vs. sorghum, and 3) the availability of protein in distiller's grains. Analysis was completed for several studies including effects of dried distiller's grains supplementation on dormant range and subsequent gains on wheat pasture, and effects of corn processing method and distiller's grains inclusion on performance and beef quality. Information was disseminated through five invited talks to key audiences including 1) Texas Cattle Feeder's Association members, 2) producers in Randall County, TX, 3) Feedlot environmental managers, 4) Members of the Plains Nutrition Council, and 5) producers in the Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico region. Additionally, information was shared with other scientists at the National American Society of Animal Science meetings, and a group of students from Auburn University. One two-week section of animal physiology was taught to students at West Texas A&M University, and mentoring was provided for eight undergraduate students employed in the research program, and two graduate students. One undergraduate competed in the undergraduate research paper competition at the Southern Section Animal Science Meeting and placed 3rd. PARTICIPANTS: Indiviuals who worked in the program include: Rex VanMeter, Farm Manager; Dr. Karla Jenkins, Assistant Research Scientist; Jodi Patterson, research associate; Trevor Davis, M.S. student; Emalee Buttrey, PhD student. Partner organizations include West Texas A&M University; USDA ARS Conservation Production Research Laboratory in Bushland TX; Texas AgriLife Extension; Texas Tech University; Texas Cattle Feeder's Association; Texas Beef Council; National Cattlemen's Beef Association; Texas Corn Producer's Board. Collaborators include Dr. Ted McCollum, Dr. Andy Cole, Dr. Mike Brown, Dr. Mike Galyean, Dr. Ty Lawrence. Eight undergraduate students were given training opportunities. TARGET AUDIENCES: Three primary target audiences exist. The first is beef producers who can directly apply the knowledge in their production systems. The second is the producers of the byproducts were are investigating, such as ethanol producers. This is important so they understand how modifications to their processes affects the feeding value of their byproducts. The third target audience are consumers of beef products. Our efforts to quantify the effects of byproduct use on the quality and acceptance of beef will be important as they make purchasing decisions in their daily lives. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Completed analysis of our supplementation study suggests that while dried distiller's grain efficienctly improves gain linearly at supplementation rates as high as 0.75% body weight on dormant range. However, when steers subsequently graze wheat pastures, compensation occurs in steers that were not supplemented on dormant range. Therefore, producers need to supplement at least 0.50% of body weight to avoid compensation on wheat pastures. Economic analysis suggests supplementing dried distiller's grains at 0.50% body weight is profitable across a wide range of supplementation costs and steer prices. During times of high calf price and low corn price, supplementing at 0.75% body weight may result in additional returns over steers supplemented at 0.50% body weight. Feeding wet distiller's grains to feedlot cattle may impact shelf-life of beef, but likely has minimal impacts on beef taste and quality. Analysis of the effects of feeding 35% distiller's grains to steers consuming diets made up of steam-flaked or dry-rolled corn suggests that while effects of feeding steam-flaked or dry-rolled corn could be explained by energetic differences inherent to those processing methods, the addition of distiller's grains may have altered the activity of enzymes important in the deposition of intramuscular fat (marbling). As a result, beef from cattle fed distiller's grains was higher in saturated and lower in monounsaturated fatty acids, relative to cattle fed diets without distiller's grains. In addition, steaks from steers fed distiller's grains were darker in color and were more susceptible to lipid oxidation after 5 days of storage. However, when a trained taste panel evaluated steaks for palatability attributes, only subtle differences could be found. These results indicate that while the inclusion of distiller's grains may impact marbling, fatty acid composition, and length of time beef is displayed in the retail case, consumers should not expect feeding distiller's grains to change the eating quality of their beef. Comparisons in the digestibility of sorghum distiller's grains and corn distiller's grains suggest that the corn product was approximately 30% more digestible than the sorghum product. This supports differences in performance studies reported previously. This comparison of corn and sorghum distiller's grains may be confounded by due to large differences in neutral detergent fiber content of the products that could be caused by differences in the proportion of distiller's soluble added to the wet grains. A simple regression analysis of all the performance studies conducted by this project suggests that neutral detergent fiber content is a reasonably reliable estimator of energy density of the distiller's grains. More research is needed to fully elucidate differences in corn and sorghum distiller's grains products. Industry participants have changed their actions as a result of information from this and other projects by utilizing distiller's grains at higher than expected levels. Feedyards are using as much as 30% distiller's grains in their diets where only 15% was used previously.
Publications
- MacDonald, JC, KH Jenkins, FT McCollum, and NA Cole, 2008. Effects of 20% wet distillers grains plus solubles in steam-flaked and dry-rolled corn-based finishing diets. J. Anim. Sci. 86E-Suppl. 2: 585.
- Cole, NA, MS Brown, and JC MacDonald. 2008. Environmental considerations of feeding bio-fuel co-products. J. Anim. Sci. 86E-Suppl. 2: 157.
- MacDonald, JC., and K.H Jenkins. 2008. Research update from Texas AgriLife Research at Amarillo. Pages 93-97 in 2008 Plains Nutrition Council Spring Conference Proc., San Antonio, TX.
- MacDonald, JC. 2008. Interaction of corn processing method (DRC and SFC) and 20% WDGS inclusion. High Plains Biofuels Co-Products Nutrition Conference., Garden City, KS.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities include completion and/or initiation of three studies related to animal health, two studies related to forage utilization, three studies related to using wet distiller's grains in finishing diets, and one metabolism study. The three studies related to animal health were receiving studies that focused on the first 35-d that newly received calves were in the feedlot and are most susceptible to disease. While the objectives of each study were different, all diets in these studies contained a level of the corn byproduct wet corn gluten feed. The first receiving study evaluated a commercially available yeast product Saccharomyces cerevisiae subspecies boulardii CNCM I-1079 that may increase intake and reduce animal morbidity. The second study evaluated two roughage sources in receiving diets containing corn by-products. The third receiving study evaluated an escape protein source in receiving diets containing corn by-products. The first forage study examined dry
distiller's grains supplementation for calves grazing dormant range prior to grazing wheat pastures. The second forage study evaluated interseeding field peas into sorghum pastures as a means of incorporating a low water use crop into beef production systems in low rainfall areas. The first finishing study compared the use of wet distiller's grains included at 20% of the diet dry matter in dry rolled and steam flaked corn based diets. The second finishing study evaluated the amount of roughage necessary in steam flaked corn based diets when 25% distiller's grains was included in the diet DM. The third finishing study was similar to the first in that it also compared the use of wet distiller's grains in dry rolled and steam flaked corn based diets, but the level of wet distiller's grains inclusion was 35% of the diet dry matter and a primary objective was to examine the effects on beef quality. The objective of the metabolism study was to determine effects of sorghum and corn based
distiller's grains in steam flaked and dry rolled corn based diets on nutrient metabolism and rumen digestibility characteristics. Ten undergraduate students were given opportunities to be mentored as a result of these research efforts. The public also had opportunity to be directly exposed to the research through a field day event held on the Bushland facility.
PARTICIPANTS: Indiviuals who worked in the program include: Gary Graham, Feedlot Manager; Rex VanMeter, Farm Manager; Nathan Ferguson, Research Technician; Dr. Karla Jenkins, Assistant Research Scientist. Partner organizations include West Texas A&M University; USDA ARS Conservation Production Research Laboratory in Bushland TX; Texas AgriLife Extension; Texas Tech University; Texas Cattle Feeder's Association; Texas Beef Council; National Cattlemen's Beef Association; Texas Corn Producer's Board. Collaborators include Dr. Ted McCollum, Dr. Andy Cole, Dr. Mike Brown, Dr. Mike Galyean, Dr. Ty Lawrence. Ten undergraduate students were given training opportunities. Outreach was provided to a group of approximately 30 cattlemen from the Southeast United States.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Three primary target audiences exist. The first is beef producers who can directly apply the knowledge in their production systems. The second is the producers of the byproducts were are investigating, such as ethanol producers. This is important so they understand how modifications to their processes affects the feeding value of their byproducts. The third target audience are consumers of beef products. Our efforts to quantify the effects of byproduct use on the quality and acceptance of beef will be important as they make purchasing decisions in their daily lives.
Impacts
Several changes in knowledge occurred. Our data indicate minimal improvement in animal health due to the yeast product Saccharomyces cerevisiae subspecies boulardii CNCM I-1079. This is in contrast to observations with this product at other locations. The difference may be due to the fact that our diets contained a corn byproduct which is known to increase dry matter intake. If the response to yeast is the result of increased intake, the byproduct may have masked the expected effects. We also demonstrated an increase in dry matter intake when feeding cottonseed hulls rather than alfalfa hay in diets containing 25% wet corn gluten feed. The cottonseed hull diet also resulted in a tendency to reduce morbidity from 59% to 44% of the calves treated. The study investigating the importance of escape protein is in the analysis stage. Our forage supplementation work has demonstrated an increase in average daily gain due to supplementation of dry distiller's grains compared to
unsupplemented controls for light weight steer calves grazing dormant range. Steers were provided dry distiller's grains at a rate of 0, 0.25%, 0.50%, or 0.75% of body weight. Daily gain increased from 0.50 pounds to 1.75 pounds as supplementation rates increased from 0 to 0.75% of body weight. The efficiency of supplementation ranged from 40% to 50% meaning that each pound of distiller's grains resulted in an additional 0.4 to 0.5 pounds of daily gain. We have completed the first of two years of forage research related to interseeding field peas into sorghum pastures so no changes in knowledge are yet available. Our study comparing dry rolled and steam flaked corn finishing diets with and without wet distiller's grains indicates that corn processing method drives performance with no interactions with distiller's grains when included at 20% of the diet dry matter. We observed a reduction in dry matter intake and improvement in feed efficiency when feeding steam flaked corn rather than
dry rolled corn regardless of wet distiller's grains inclusion. Preliminary results from a subsequent study with the same treatments but with wet distiller's grains included at 35% of the diet dry matter indicates an interaction where distiller's grains inclusion improves feed efficiency in dry rolled corn based diets but not in steam flaked corn based diets. However, feed efficiency is not decreased when adding wet distiller's grains in steam flaked corn based diets. The distiller's grains used in the two aforementioned studies were derived from corn. Preliminary evidence from a study comparing roughage levels in diets containing 25% wet distiller's grains derived from sorghum indicates a reduction in feed efficiency when sorghum wet distiller's grains is added to the diet compared to a steam flaked corn control. The inference may be differences in feeding values of distiller's grains derived from corn and sorghum.
Publications
- MacDonald, JC, TJ Klopfenstein, GE Erickson, and WA Griffin. 2007. Effects of dried distillers grains, corn gluten meal, or corn oil supplementation on performance and forage intake of heifers grazing smooth bromegrass pastures. J. Anim. Sci. 85:2614-2624.
- Loy, TW, JC MacDonald, TJ Klopfenstein, and GE Erickson. 2007. Effect of distillers grains or corn supplementation frequency on forage intake and digestibility. J. Anim. Sci. : 85:2625-2630.
- Griffin, WA, TJ Klopfenstein, GE Erickson, DM Feuz, JC MacDonald, and DJ Jordon. 2007. Comparison of performance and economics of a long-yearling and calf-fed system. The Professional Animal Scientist. 23:490-499.
- Keyser, SA, JP McMeniman, DR Smith, JC MacDonald, and ML Galyean. 2007. Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae subspecies boulardii CNCM I-1079 on feed intake by healthy beef cattle treated with florfenicol and on health and performance of newly received beef heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 85: 1264-1273
- MacDonald, JC, TJ Klopfenstein, GE Erickson, and KJ Vander Pol. 2007. Performance changes through the finishing period. J. Anim Sci. 85(Suppl 2): 124-125.
- Greenquist, MA, TJ Klopfenstein, L Lomas, D Blasi, DC Adams, WH Schacht, SE Morris, KH Gustad, RN Funston, JC MacDonald, and M Epp. 2007. Summary analysis of grazing yearling response to distillers grains. J. Anim Sci. 85(Suppl 2): 132-133.
- MacDonald, JC, TJ Klopfenstein, GE Erickson, KJ Vander Pol. 2007. Changes in gain through the feeding period. Nebr. Beef Cattle Rep. MP 90. Available at: http://beef.unl.edu/beefreports/200719.shtml. Accessed 3/6/07.
- Klopfenstein, TJ, L Lomas, D Blasi, DC Adams, WH Schacht, SE Morris, KH Gustad, MA Greenquist, RN Funston, JC MacDonald, and M Epp. 2007. Summary analysis of grazing yearling response to distillers grains. Nebr. Beef Cattle Rep. MP 90. Available at: http://beef.unl.edu/beefreports/200703.shtml. Accessed 3/6/07.
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