Source: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
CHARACTERIZATION OF CORN HARVESTED AT HIGH MOISTURE IN CATTLE FEEDING YARDS IN THE UPPER MIDWEST
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1025185
Grant No.
2021-68008-34100
Cumulative Award Amt.
$299,369.00
Proposal No.
2020-05209
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jan 15, 2021
Project End Date
Jan 14, 2024
Grant Year
2021
Program Code
[A1701]- Critical Agricultural Research and Extension: CARE
Recipient Organization
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
PO BOX 2275A
BROOKINGS,SD 57007
Performing Department
Animal Science
Non Technical Summary
Economic competitiveness of cattle feeding enterprises depends primarily on local availability of feed resources, feeder cattle, and favorable environmental conditions (an abundant supply of potable water and weather conditions amenable for producing both crops and livestock). Local supplies of feedstuffs and feeder cattle generally are available in the northern regions of the U.S. thanks to high quality soils and adequate and timely rainfall.In these regions, crop farmers developed a dual-production system where they optimize crop and livestock production by managing nutrient flow from soil to crops to livestock and back to soil (through manure application). These dual-purpose producers are characterized by operating smaller feedyards (under 10,000 head), and regularly match their land resources to livestock production. When referring to these individuals as grain and beef producers, the secular term often used to refer to describe this diverse group of individuals is: farmer-feeder. In 2019, approximately 35% of the cattle-feeding capacity of the United States is contained in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.Although the northern states have abundant supplies of grain and grain co-products, along with access to cattle of excellent genetic quality, climatic conditions for cattle production are not always ideal. For example, frost late in the spring or early in the fall can reduce growing degree-days needed for long-season crops like corn grain. One solution to this dilemma is to harvest ear corn or corn grain after physiological maturity, but before the grain has fully dried in the field. High-moisture (HM) grain or ear harvest shortens the length of the growing season needed to produce this highly energy-efficient crop. Unfortunately, the basic principles for harvest, processing, ensiling, and retaining nutritional value of high-moisture feedstuffs were developed in the 1970's and 1980's, and may not be optimal today. Cattle and corn genetics, and harvesting equipment have changed over the past 40-50 years, and thus there is a need to update the approaches used to handle HM grain. Furthermore, the authors of this project recognize that recent investments in beef cattle producer education on crop harvest and management lag due to reduced state resource allocation to extension education programs. This situation was further aggravated due to refocusing of remaining resources to educate beef cattle producers on the use of co-products resulting from the production of biofuels from corn and other grains.There are unique characteristics of the cattle feeding industry in the northern regions of the U.S. that justify research and education efforts focused on conditions peculiar to this region. Compared to feedlots in the southern plains, cattle feeding operations in the states represented in this proposal are smaller in scale and less reliant on irrigation to produce feed grains: two factors that contribute sustainability benefits. In addition, there has also been an uptick in the proportion of cattle fed in the northern regions of the U.S. since 2000.Compared with stable, dry commodities (commonly traded grains and co-products), variability in composition of HMC/HMEC grown, stored, and fed locally is considered to be large. Variability in plant growth and harvest conditions as well as processing and fermentation alter the yield of digestible energy per unit of land harvested. Variability in moisture content alone for HMC and HMEC is nearly double and triple that for dry shelled corn (SD = 6.13 and 9.36% versus 3.9%). Understanding how harvest, processing, and storage factors contribute to nutrient variability should result in this variability being controlled. In turn, consistency of energy content and availability should result allowing for greater precision in diet formulation. Concurrently, understanding cattle management factors that affect HMC and HMEC utilization should, in turn, improve efficiency of beef production by cattle feeders in the Upper Midwest.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3023310101050%
1021510200050%
Goals / Objectives
Through partnerships already established with consulting nutritionists, a survey of corn stored as HMC/HMEC will be used to discover effects of corn hybrid, moisture content, harvest date and method, environmental conditions, processing method, pack density, and particle size on concentrations of NDF and starch, and starch digestibility. An understanding of the variability in corn resulting from harvesting and processing of HMC/HMEC and their relationships will help academics and practitioners to more reliably direct management approaches and provide knowledge-based consulting advice to livestock producers that use HMC/HMEC. Recommendations will be developed based on these relationships. Concurrently, survey results may disclose relationships that will require further research to resolve and, following discussions with academic and industry scientists and consultants, those concerns will be forwarded to animal or plant science research scientists both regionally and nationally.Specific Objectives include:Objective 1: Measure the sources and degree of variability in harvesting, processing, and storing of corn as HMC/HMEC.Objective 2: Determine how various processing and preservation techniques for HMC/HMEC alter stability during feeding. Objective 3: Quantify the mean and variability for the level of inclusion of HMC/HMEC in diets, the ratio of HMC/HMEC to other corn grain ingredients (i.e. whole-shelled or dry-rolled corn), and differences in starch digestibility for finishing diets fed to feedlot cattle in the Upper Midwest.Objective 4: Develop and deliver educational programming to provide cattle feeders with information to make more informed decisions surrounding HMC/HMEC harvest and feeding practices using the data and knowledge generated from this project Objective 5: To create decision support tools to help producers understand the impact of when conditions deviate from ideal.
Project Methods
Objective 1: Measure the sources and degree of variability in harvesting, processing, and storing of corn as HMC/HMEC AND Objective 2: Determine how various processing and preservation techniques for HMC/HMEC alter stability during feeding. The survey will be conducted during October to November of the first year. Farms that produce and use HMC/HMEC (8 from each state) will be located. The origin of samples will be barcoded for anonymity at this time. Diets will be sampled and a fraction of each feed ingredient in the diet will be requested. Two 1,000-g samples of HMC/HMEC will be collected following the survey interview, and packed tightly into polypropylene micro perforated bags placed into a sealed plastic bag. To obtain the HMC/HMEC sample, only one person will carefully approach the silage face with the second person remaining at a safe distance in case the silage face collapses. Alternatively and preferably, these samples will be taken from a sample of material freshly removed from the silo face. For the first sample, when the interviewer has returned with samples to their office, the sample will be placed in a room with stable temperature. A battery-powered recording thermometer will be placed in the center of a loosely packed sample in an insulated bucket with holes in the bottom to record silage stability (days for temperature to exceed 1.5 C above initial temperature). The second sample will be shipped to a feed analysis laboratory for proximate analysis. Ingredient composition of the finishing diet will be requested. Samples of the total-mixed ration and fecal samples will be obtained.Each identified facility will be re-visited the following spring (approximately 150 days following the initial visit). During this visit, chemical and physical measurements of stored HMC/HMEC will be determined. These measures will include the nutrient and physical measurements and temperature stability of HMC/HMEC noted above, as well as packing density (based on a core probe; Master Forage Probe, DariyOne, Ithaca, NY). Core samples will be collected on-top of the silage mass: three samples will be collected at the center and one on each side within 10 feet of the wall or edge of the ensiled pile at various depths. Each core sample will be weighed, and the depth of core will be measured. Core samples will be pooled, and a subsample will be collected for dry matter analysis. Dry matter density will be calculated by dividing the dry weight of the sample by the volume of the sample core. During this visit an approximately 1000-g sample of HMC/HMEC will be collected for further analysis.We will attempt to retrieve 8 samples of each type of preserved corn from each state (n = 32 samples of HMC; n = 32 samples of HMEC). The samples will ideally be obtained away from the face of the pile in order to ensure sample technician safety and well-being. The sample will be taken from a minimum of four locations representing the entire face of feed and composited for subsequent analyses, placed and stored in a polypropylene micro perforated bag, and placed into a sealed plastic bag. This sample will be sent to Rock River Laboratory for proximate analysis. The starch assay from the HMEC also will be used to calculate roughage level and used to estimate roughage NDF level. From the lactate, soluble sugars, and VFA samples, energy loss will be calculated and compared with DM losses calculated above.Objective 3: Quantify the mean and variability for the level of inclusion of HMC/HMEC in diets, the ratio of HMC/HMEC to other corn grain ingredients (i.e. whole-shelled or dry-rolled corn), and differences in starch digestibility for finishing diets fed to feedlot cattle in the Upper Midwest.During the second visit, we will request information regarding how the operation and their nutritionist selected their harvest date, processing method, and their current HMC/HMEC inclusion rate and blending. The assays of HMC/HMEC, total-mixed ration, and fecal samples from Objective 2 will aid in this assessment. We ultimately will subdivide participants into 3 inclusion rate categories: 1) exclusively HMC/HMEC as the primary grain source, 2) blends of 1/3 HMC/HMEC and 2/3 other grains, and 3) 2/3 HMC/HMEC and 1/3 other grains (DM basis). How these ratios differ among states will be of interest, unless the ratio is determined simply by the farm's corn production capacity versus the total grain needed to feed all cattle being fed. On that basis, estimates of relative DM yield from HMC/HMEC versus other grains will be requested.Respondents will also be asked if they were to increase farm or feedlot capacity, how their inclusion levels of HMC/HMEC would change, and the reason for their choice among HMC versus HMEC. During this visit, ingredient composition of the finishing diet will be again be requested. Samples of the total-mixed ration and fecal samples will be obtained. This fecal sample will be obtained from a minimum of 10 fresh (ideally warm) fecal patties per pen with a minimum of 3 pens per feedlot from cattle that have been consuming their finishing diet (less than 20% roughage) for a minimum of 14 days. Fecal samples will be composited, mixed, subsampled (with exactly 50% of the wet sample being frozen for later analysis) with the remaining 50% sent to an analytical laboratory to determine feed and fecal DM content, starch, NDF, lignin, and uNDF240 content. The frozen subsample will be weighed and screened through a Cargill screen with the fraction caught on the top screen being weighed, dried, and assayed for starch content. This will be compared with starch content of the unscreened fecal sample to determine the fraction of fecal starch that is present as large-particles in feces. The procedure uses diet and fecal starch content to estimate TTSD according to equations presented by (Zinn et al., 2007). Samples will only be collected from cattle that have been fed the finisher diet for a minimum of 14 days before taking fecal samples so fecal starch will not influenced by step-up diets.Objective 4: Develop and deliver educational programming to provide cattle feeders with information to make more informed decisions surrounding HMC/HMEC harvest and feeding practices using the data and knowledge generated from this project AND Objective 5: To create decision support tools to help producers understand the impact of when conditions deviate from ideal.Once the sources of variation and their impact on storage losses and livestock performance have been quantified, educational materials will be developed to disseminate those findings and updated best management practices to cattle feeders and allied industry professionals. Dissemination channels will include printed outputs, online resources on the respective University websites and University-approved social media channels. These findings will be presented at the Northern States Beef Conference as well other Extension-sponsored beef programming events in the region. Finally, a web-based decision support tool will be developed that will provide users insight as to the effects of variations in harvest moisture, degree of processing, and inclusion of HMC/HMEC with varying ratios of DRC might have on overall DM recovery, livestock efficiencies, and overall returns to an integrated livestock-crops system.

Progress 01/15/21 to 01/14/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience included students, practitioners, stakeholders, and researchers in the animal and crop sciences industries who found interest in this work. The information has been shared at both regional and national meetings for animal production. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two MS graduate students (S. Hanson and G. Lemon) in Animal Science at SDSU and UNL directly worked on this project. The students learned skills in data management and fieldwork. The students also worked on projects related to corn feeding in cattle to compliment the survey and field work, and have learned methods of diet formulation, mixed-models statistical packages, and proximate analysis of feedstuffs. Five graduate students in Animal Science have received advanced training in beef cattle production and nutrition through this project. E. Gubbels, F. Francis, T. Norman, T. Ribiero, T. Hamilton, C. Ross, and B. Grimes are all developing skills related sample inventory management and best management practices for handling samples collected from multiple collaborator farm sites. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results from this project have been shared at the Sioux County (IA) cattle feeder forum, the Driftless Region Beef Conference, and to a special Uruguayan Delegation in Nebraska. As well as the plains nutrition council spring conference and the Silage for beef Conference (summer 2024). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During this project, we successfully initiated objectives 1 (100% accomplished), 2 (100% accomplished), 3 (100% accomplished), 4 (100% accomplished), and 5 (100% accomplished). We enrolled producers in IA (n = 8), MN (n = 2), ND (n = 12), and SD (n = 5) during year one and NE (n = 5 producers) in year 3. To better understand how agronomic practices and on-farm management factors influence the composition of corn harvested as high-moisture corn, samples of high moisture corn (HMC; n = 111) and high moisture ear corn (HMEC; n = 137) were collected in 2020/2021. A minimum of two samples were collected post-ensiling at each location. Samples were collected at the time of opening the ensiled mass and during the subsequent feed-out phase. Samples were submitted to a commercial laboratory for analyses that included: dry matter, crude protein, ash, neutral and acid detergent fiber content, starch, as well as short-chain fatty acid analysis. All samples were also subjected to in-vitro gas production. Objective 1: Measure the sources and degree of variability in harvesting, processing, and storing of corn as HMC/HMEC. (100% Accomplished) To assess the sources and degrees of variability in the composition of HMC and HMEC because of harvesting, processing, and storing method, we analyzed samples at opening of the ensiled mass and during the subsequent feed-out phase. Dry matter starch content of HMC was 71.6 ± 1.2% and for HMEC was 59.2 ± 3.9%, averaged across all locations from samples collected after ensiling and during the feed-out phase. Thus, the grain content of HMEC was 82.7% (59.2/0.716). Objective 2: Determine how various processing and preservation techniques for HMC/HMEC alter stability during feeding. (100% Accomplished) Apparent digestibility of starch Total tract starch digestibility (TSD) was determined from pens (n = 10) of feedlot steers and heifers from participants that were enrolled in the survey and feed ingredient sampling. Selected pens were required to have a finishing diet for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to diet and fecal sampling. Diets were concentrate-based and consisted of HMC, HMEC, corn milling co-products and mineral supplement. Fecal starch (FS) was a predictable function of mean grain particle size (PS) where (FS, % = 0.0054PS - 1.1951; R2 = 0.50;). Additionally, TSD was a predictable function of FS (TSD, % = -0.6604FS + 101.82; R2 = 0.92;). Particle size can be used as a measure of starch digestibility in the total tract of steers fed a high-moisture corn-based finishing diet. As DM of the ensiled material increases, the production of lactic acid decreases. Data gleaned from this trial indicates that as ensiled DM approached 75% (as-is basis) there is little to no production of lactic acid indicating incomplete fermentation and poorer aerobic stability. This data indicates that care should be taken to ensure that the ensiled material is of the appropriate moisture content prior to harvest. Objective 3: Quantify the mean and variability for the level of inclusion of HMC/HMEC in diets, the ratio of HMC/HMEC to other corn grain ingredients (i.e. whole-shelled or dry-rolled corn), and differences in starch digestibility for finishing diets fed to feedlot cattle in the Upper Midwest. (100% Accomplished) Nutrient composition High-moisture corn (HMC) All feed samples were subjected to NIR analysis at a commercial feed laboratory. Samples (n = 111) for HMC were collected from 25 sites in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Average DM, CP, NDF, uNDF240, starch, fat, ash, and particle size was 71.5 ± 4.24 %, 8.4 ± 0.57, 7.8 ± 1.22%, 0.52 ± 0.50%, 71.4 ± 1.94, 3.9 ± 0.24, 1.6 ± 0.20%, and 2474 ± 1030 μm. High-moisture ear corn (HMEC) Samples (n = 137) for HMEC were collected from 24 sites in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Average DM, CP, NDF, uNDF240, starch, fat, ash, and particle size was 63.9 ± 6.30 %, 7.9 ± 0.66, 17.2 ± 3.04%, 3.85 ± 1.03%, 59.4 ± 4.09, 3.5 ± 0.28, 2.1 ± 0.28%, and 2210 ± 24.3 μm. Survey High-moisture corn (HMC) Participants (n = 7) from Iowa and South Dakota were included. Average one time yard capacity was 1780 ± 1841 hd (range 499 to 5000 hd). Average inclusion of HMC in finishing diets on a dry matter (DM) basis was 35 ± 12% (range 25 to 54%). The HMC product had been fed on average for 27 ± 13 y and harvest efficiency (acres/h) was 6 ± 5 acres/h. Custom harvesting services were used by 14.3% of respondents compared to personal equipment (85.7%) for HMC. All HMC was processed prior to ensiling. A hammer-mill was used by 77.8% of those surveyed and a roller-mill was used by 22.2%. All HMC piles were covered. All HMC samples were stored in a bunker. Tires were the only covering weight used. Sidewalls were used by 33.3% of participants, whole tires by 50.0% and a combination of both was used by 16.7%. Inoculant application was done by 28.6% of those surveyedHeating of ensiled mass was only noted by 33.3% of participants. High-moisture ear corn (HMEC) Participants (n = 9) from Iowa and South Dakota were included. Average one time feedlot capacity was 1754 ± 1605 hd (range 499 to 5000 hd). Average inclusion of HMEC in finishing diets on a dry matter (DM) basis was 38 ± 23% (range 22 to 75%). The HMEC product had been fed on average for 20 ± 16 y and harvest efficiency (acres/h) was 10 ± 7 acres/h. Custom harvesting services were used by 66.7% of respondents compared to personal harvesting equipment (33.3%) for HMEC. Kernel processing was used by 88.9% of respondents. All HMEC piles were covered. A total of 77.8% of survey participants stored HMEC in a bunker and 22.2% of participants stored HMEC in a silage bag. Tires were the covering weight used. Sidewalls were used 28.5% of participants, whole tires by 43.0% and a combination of both was used by 28.5% of those surveyed. Inoculant application was done by 44.4% of those surveyed compared to those that do not (33.4%) or did not respond (22.2%). Heating of the ensiled mass was noted by 22.2% of participants compared to those that did not (66.7%) or did not respond (11.1%). Objective 4: Develop and deliver educational programming to provide cattle feeders with information to make more informed decisions surrounding HMC/HMEC harvest and feeding practices using the data and knowledge generated from this project. (100% Accomplished) Results from this project have been shared at the Sioux County (IA) cattle feeder forum, the Driftless Region Beef Conference, and to a special Uruguayan Delegation in Nebraska. These results will be shared at the Joint UNL and Lallemand Silage for beef conference in the summer of 2024. Stakeholders from the region and industry will be present. Objective 5: To create decision support tools to help producers understand the impact of when conditions deviate from ideal. (100% Accomplished) . In year 2, we developed a beef-per acre from HMEC or HMC calculator based upon the information gleaned from the previous year. It is currently in the Beta Testing phase and is being evaluated internally before being deployed to stakeholders. In year 3 we were able to launch this support tool to selected stakeholders and the tool seems to be working as anticipated. Further refinement will occur as users provide real-time feedback on its usefulness.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2024 Citation: 2024 Spring Meeting Update: Plains Nutrition Council (San Antonio, April 11, 2024)


Progress 01/15/22 to 01/14/23

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience includes students, practitioners, stakeholders, and researchers in the animal and crop sciences who will find particular interest in this work. Within the next reporting year the newly gleaned information will be shared at both regional and national meetings for animal production. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Currently, one MS graduate student (S. Hanson) in Animal Science is directly working on this project. The student is learning skills in data management and fieldwork. The student is also working on projects related to corn feeding in cattle to compliment the survey work, and has learned methods of diet formulation, mixed-models statistical packages, and proximate analysis of feedstuffs At least five graduate students in Animal Science are receiving advanced training in beef cattle production and nutrition through this project. E. Gubbels, F. Francis, T. Norman, T. Ribiero, T. Hamilton, C. Ross, and B. Grimes are all developing skills related sample inventory management and best management practices for handling samples collected from multiple collaborator farm sites. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results from this project have been shared at the Sioux County (IA) cattle feeder forum, the Driftless Region Beef Conference, and to a special Uruguayan Delegation in Nebraska. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: Measure the sources and degree of variability in harvesting, processing, and storing of corn as HMC/HMEC. Final laboratory and statistical analyses are on-going for the NE samples. New work will include sharing this data at the Driftless Region Beef Conference in Eastern Iowa, and to use this data to create decision support tools. Data summarized from Objective 1 will be used in the delivery of educational programming geared towards producers (Objective 4) and to be used in the decision support tool (Objective 5). Objective 2: Determine how various processing and preservation techniques for HMC/HMEC alter stability during feeding. Laboratory and statistical analyses are on-going for the NE samples. During the next reporting period we aim to summarize these data for dissemination. Data summarized from Objective 2 will be used to aid in the delivery of educational programming geared towards producers (Objective 4) and to be used in the decision support tool (Objective 5). Objective 3: Quantify the mean and variability for the level of inclusion of HMC/HMEC in diets, the ratio of HMC/HMEC to other corn grain ingredients (i.e. whole-shelled or dry-rolled corn), and differences in starch digestibility for finishing diets fed to feedlot cattle in the Upper Midwest. Laboratory and statistical analyses are on-going for the NE samples. Data summarized from Objective 3 will be used to aid in the delivery of educational programming geared towards producers (Objective 4) and to be used in the decision support tool (Objective 5). Objective 4: Develop and deliver educational programming to provide cattle feeders with information to make more informed decisions surrounding HMC/HMEC harvest and feeding practices using the data and knowledge generated from this project Data gleaned from Objective 1, 2, and 3 will be used to aid in the delivery of educational programming geared towards producers. Objective 5: To create decision support tools to help producers understand the impact of when conditions deviate Data gleaned from Objective 1, 2, and 3 will be used to develop the decision support tool for producers.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In this reporting period, we successfully initiated objectives 1 (75% accomplished), 2 (15% accomplished), and 3 (15% accomplished). We enrolled producers in IA (n = 8), MN (n = 2), ND (n = 12), and SD (n = 5) during year one. Work related to objectives 4 and 5 will begin during the next reporting period when field level work commences. To better understand how agronomic practices and on-farm management factors influence the composition of corn harvested as high-moisture corn, samples of high moisture corn (HMC; n = 111) and high moisture ear corn (HMEC; n = 137) were collected in 2020/2021. A minimum of two samples were collected post-ensiling at each location. Samples were collected at the time of opening the ensiled mass and during the subsequent feed-out phase. Samples were submitted to a commercial laboratory for analyses that included: dry matter, crude protein, ash, neutral and acid detergent fiber content, starch, as well as short-chain fatty acid analysis. All samples were also subjected to in-vitro gas production. Objective 1: Measure the sources and degree of variability in harvesting, processing, and storing of corn as HMC/HMEC. (7575% Accomplished) To assess the sources and degrees of variability in the composition of HMC and HMEC as a result of the harvesting, processing, and storing method, we analyzed samples at the time of opening the ensiled mass and during the subsequent feed-out phase. Dry matter starch content of HMC was 71.6 ± 1.2% and for HMEC was 59.2 ± 3.9%, averaged across all locations from samples collected after ensiling and during the feed-out phase. Thus the grain content of HMEC was 82.7% (59.2/0.716). Objective 2: Determine how various processing and preservation techniques for HMC/HMEC alter stability during feeding. (15% Accomplished) Apparent digestibility of starch Total tract starch digestibility (TSD) was determined from pens (n = 10) of feedlot steers and heifers from participants that were enrolled in the survey and feed ingredient sampling. Selected pens were required to have been on a finishing diet for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to diet and fecal sampling. Diets were concentrate-based and consisted of HMC, HMEC, corn milling co-products and mineral supplement. Fecal starch (FS) was a predictable function of mean grain particle size (PS) where (FS, % = 0.0054PS - 1.1951; R2 = 0.50; Figure 1). Additionally, TSD was a predictable function of FS (TSD, % = -0.6604FS + 101.82; R2 = 0.92; Figure 2). Hence, particle size can be used as a measure of starch digestibility in the total tract of steers fed a high-moisture corn based finishing diet. Objective 3: Quantify the mean and variability for the level of inclusion of HMC/HMEC in diets, the ratio of HMC/HMEC to other corn grain ingredients (i.e. whole-shelled or dry-rolled corn), and differences in starch digestibility for finishing diets fed to feedlot cattle in the Upper Midwest. (85% Accomplished) Nutrient composition High-moisture corn (HMC) All feed samples were subjected to NIR analysis at a commercial feed laboratory. Samples (n = 111) for HMC were collected from 25 sites in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Average DM, CP, NDF, uNDF240, starch, fat, ash, and particle size was 71.5 ± 4.24 %, 8.4 ± 0.57, 7.8 ± 1.22%, 0.52 ± 0.50%, 71.4 ± 1.94, 3.9 ± 0.24, 1.6 ± 0.20%, and 2474 ± 1030 μm. High-moisture ear corn (HMEC) Samples (n = 137) for HMEC were collected from 24 sites in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Average DM, CP, NDF, uNDF240, starch, fat, ash, and particle size was 63.9 ± 6.30 %, 7.9 ± 0.66, 17.2 ± 3.04%, 3.85 ± 1.03%, 59.4 ± 4.09, 3.5 ± 0.28, 2.1 ± 0.28%, and 2210 ± 24.3 μm. Survey High-moisture corn (HMC) Participants (n = 7) from Iowa and South Dakota were included. Average one time yard capacity was 1780 ± 1841 hd (range 499 to 5000 hd). Average inclusion of HMC in finishing diets on a dry matter (DM) basis was 35 ± 12% (range 25 to 54%). The HMC product had been fed on average for 27 ± 13 y and harvest efficiency (acres/h) was 6 ± 5 acres/h. Custom harvesting services were used by 14.3% of respondents compared to personal equipment (85.7%) for HMC. All HMC was processed prior to ensiling. A hammer-mill was used by 77.8% of those surveyed and a roller-mill was used by 22.2% of respondents. All HMC piles were covered. All HMC sampled was stored in a bunker. Tires were the only covering weight used. Sidewalls were used by 33.3% of participants, whole tires by 50.0% and a combination of both was used by 16.7% of those surveyed. Inoculant application was done by 28.6% of those surveyed. Finally, heating of the ensiled mass was only noted by 33.3% of participants. High-moisture ear corn (HMEC) Participants (n = 9) from Iowa and South Dakota were included. Average one time feedlot capacity was 1754 ± 1605 hd (range 499 to 5000 hd). Average inclusion of HMEC in finishing diets on a dry matter (DM) basis was 38 ± 23% (range 22 to 75%). The HMEC product had been fed on average for 20 ± 16 y and harvest efficiency (acres/h) was 10 ± 7 acres/h. Custom harvesting services were used by 66.7% of respondents compared to personal harvesting equipment (33.3%) for HMEC. Kernel processing was used by 88.9% of respondents. All HMEC piles were covered. A total of 77.8% of survey participants stored HMEC in a bunker and 22.2% of participants stored HMEC in an silage bag. Tires were the only covering weight used. Sidewalls were used 28.5% of participants, whole tires by 43.0% and a combination of both was used by 28.5% of those surveyed. Inoculant application was done by 44.4% of those surveyed compared to those that do not (33.4%) or did not respond (22.2%). Finally, heating of the ensiled mass was only noted by 22.2% of participants compared to those that did not (66.7%) note heating or did not respond (11.1%). Objective 4: Develop and deliver educational programming to provide cattle feeders with information to make more informed decisions surrounding HMC/HMEC harvest and feeding practices using the data and knowledge generated from this project. (70% Accomplished) We are still working through information related to Objective 4, but should make progress on these aspects during the next reporting period. Results from this project have been shared at the Sioux County (IA) cattle feeder forum, the Driftless Region Beef Conference, and to a special Uruguayan Delegation in Nebraska. Objective 5: To create decision support tools to help producers understand the impact of when conditions deviate from ideal. (50% Accomplished) We are still working through information related to Objective 5, but should make progress on these aspects during the next reporting period. In year 2, we developed a beef-per acre from HMEC or HMC calculator based upon the information gleaned from the previous year. It is currently in the Beta Testing phase and is being evaluated internally before being deployed to stakeholders.

Publications


    Progress 01/15/21 to 01/14/22

    Outputs
    Target Audience:The target audience includes students, practitioners, and researchers in the animal and crop sciences who will find particular interest in this work. Within the next reporting year the newly gleaned information will be shared at both regional and national meetings for animal production. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Currently, one MS graduate student (S. Hanson) in Animal Science is directly working on this project. The student is learning skills in data management and fieldwork. The student is also working on projects related to corn feeding in cattle to compliment the survey work, and has learned methods of diet formulation, mixed-models statistical packages, and proximate analysis of feedstuffs At least five graduate students in Animal Science are receiving advanced training in beef cattle production and nutrition through this project. E. Gubbels, F. Francis, T. Norman, T. Ribiero, and T. Hamilton are all developing skills related sample inventory management and best management practices for handling samples collected from multiple collaborator farm sites. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: Measure the sources and degree of variability in harvesting, processing, and storing of corn as HMC/HMEC. Final laboratory and statistical analyses are on-going. New work will include sharing this data at the Driftless Region Beef Conference in Eastern Iowa, and to use this data to create decision support tools. Data summarized from Objective 1 will be used in the delivery of educational programming geared towards producers (Objective 4) and to be used in the decision support tool (Objective 5). Objective 2: Determine how various processing and preservation techniques for HMC/HMEC alter stability during feeding. Laboratory and statistical analyses are on-going. During the next reporting period we aim to summarize these data for dissemination. Data summarized from Objective 2 will be used to aid in the delivery of educational programming geared towards producers (Objective 4) and to be used in the decision support tool (Objective 5). Objective 3: Quantify the mean and variability for the level of inclusion of HMC/HMEC in diets, the ratio of HMC/HMEC to other corn grain ingredients (i.e. whole-shelled or dry-rolled corn), and differences in starch digestibility for finishing diets fed to feedlot cattle in the Upper Midwest. Laboratory and statistical analyses are on-going. Data summarized from Objective 3 will be used to aid in the delivery of educational programming geared towards producers (Objective 4) and to be used in the decision support tool (Objective 5). Objective 4: Develop and deliver educational programming to provide cattle feeders with information to make more informed decisions surrounding HMC/HMEC harvest and feeding practices using the data and knowledge generated from this project Data gleaned from Objective 1, 2, and 3 will be used to aid in the delivery of educational programming geared towards producers. Objective 5: To create decision support tools to help producers understand the impact of when conditions deviate Data gleaned from Objective 1, 2, and 3 will be used to develop the decision support tool for producers.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? In this reporting period, we successfully initiated objectives 1 (75% accomplished), 2 (15% accomplished), and 3 (15% accomplished). We enrolled producers in IA (n = 8), MN (n = 2), ND (n = 12), and SD (n = 5) during year one. Work related to objectives 4 and 5 will begin during the next reporting period when field level work commences. To better understand how agronomic practices and on-farm management factors influence the composition of corn harvested as high-moisture corn, samples of high moisture corn (HMC; n = 111) and high moisture ear corn (HMEC; n = 137) were collected in 2020/2021. A minimum of two samples were collected post-ensiling at each location. Samples were collected at the time of opening the ensiled mass and during the subsequent feed-out phase. Samples were submitted to a commercial laboratory for analyses that included: dry matter, crude protein, ash, neutral and acid detergent fiber content, starch, as well as short-chain fatty acid analysis. All samples were also subjected to in-vitro gas production. Of most interest was an in-vitro gas production (IVGP) procedure, where rumen fluid is collected from a cow and then a specific amount of rumen fluid is blended with a specific amount of feedstuff in a sealed vessel and incubated for 48 h under appropriate conditions, while continuously measuring gas production. By correlating feedstock digestibility with gas production, the IVGP method determines 7 h starch digestibility, 24 h starch digestibility, and 48 h neutral detergent fiber (NDF, or lignocellulose) digestibility. The combined assay and statistical modelling is robust over a wide range of starch and NDF concentrations and fermentation kinetics in feeds. Due to increased data points, fermentation lag times and rate of degradation of the feedstuff can be more accurately and precisely calculated from IVGP than can be in other in-vitro procedures with a limited number of time points (only 7, 24, or 48 h). Objective 1: Measure the sources and degree of variability in harvesting, processing, and storing of corn as HMC/HMEC. (75% Accomplished) To assess the sources and degrees of variability in the composition of HMC and HMEC as a result of the harvesting, processing, and storing method, we analyzed samples at the time of opening the ensiled mass and during the subsequent feed-out phase. Dry matter starch content of HMC was 71.6 ± 1.2% and for HMEC was 59.2 ± 3.9%, averaged across all locations from samples collected after ensiling and during the feed-out phase. Thus the grain content of HMEC was 82.7% (59.2/0.716). Ammonia crude protein, moisture, and lactic acid were all positively correlated with the rate of initiation of fermentation (7 h starch digestibility; r = 0.51, 0.52, and 0.58, respectively) from samples collected after ensiling and during the feed-out phase. The benefit of the high-correlation between the aforementioned variables is the potential for prediction equations that might allow the end-user (cattle feeder and nutritionist) to more readily determine rate and extent of grain breakdown with an easily measured lab assay. Additionally, acetic acid was correlated to 1, 2 propanediol (r = 0.63). The presence of acetic acid and 1,2-propanediol provide evidence of heterolactic fermentation and possible use of L. buchneri inoculants, but data entry for the survey is ongoing and relationships have yet to be identified. Objective 2: Determine how various processing and preservation techniques for HMC/HMEC alter stability during feeding. (15% Accomplished) To assess compositional changes of HMC vs HMEC once the ensiled mass is opened and then throughout the feed-out phase, we have deployed temperature sensors into the ensiled mass to monitor changes. Additionally, we have collected both pre- and post-ensiling samples to determine if measures evaluated in objective 1 can be used to correlate temperature changes throughout the ensiled mass to potential changes in composition. Work related to Objective 2 is currently on-going, and will provide useful information to producers in relation to management of their ensiled HMC or HMEC with respect to feed-out phase stability. Objective 3: Quantify the mean and variability for the level of inclusion of HMC/HMEC in diets, the ratio of HMC/HMEC to other corn grain ingredients (i.e. whole-shelled or dry-rolled corn), and differences in starch digestibility for finishing diets fed to feedlot cattle in the Upper Midwest. (15% Accomplished) Work related to Objective 3 is currently initiated and includes summarizing data generated from the survey instrument to determine the mean inclusion level of each product and to determine the range of inclusion levels and ratios of dry-to-wet corn included in finishing diets fed in the upper Midwest. Objective 4: Develop and deliver educational programming to provide cattle feeders with information to make more informed decisions surrounding HMC/HMEC harvest and feeding practices using the data and knowledge generated from this project. (0% Accomplished) We are still working through information related to Objective 4, but should make progress on these aspects during the next reporting period. Objective 5: To create decision support tools to help producers understand the impact of when conditions deviate from ideal. (0% Accomplished) We are still working through information related to Objective 5, but should make progress on these aspects during the next reporting period.

    Publications