Influence of probiotic strains on growth performance, carcass characteristics and seasonal changes of growing New Zealand white rabbits

This experiment was designed to explore how different types of probiotics affect the growth, carcass traits, and seasonal variations in growing New Zealand White rabbits (NZW). Two parallel experiments using the same strain of NZW during winter and summer, each alone from 5 to 13 weeks of age. Each experiment uses a total of 125 unsexed rabbits. These rabbits are separated into 5 groups of 25 rabbits each. Each group has five replicates, with five rabbits in every replicate. In each experiment, 1st group acting as the control group did not receive any probiotics. The 2nd was given a dose of 1 ml of Bifidobacterium bifidum, the 3rd received a dose of 1 ml of Lactobacillus acidophilus, and the 4th was treated with a 1 ml blend of both Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, and 5th group was treated with 1 ml of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Results indicated that the Bifidobacterium bifidum group had the best live body weight (LBW) values and daily weight gain (DWG). Meanwhile, during summer, the Lactobacillus acidophilus group had the best feed conversion ratio (FCR) and performance index (PI) values. Also, growing rabbits fed Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifiduim had significantly increased carcass traits during the summer and winter seasons. Furthermore, seasonal changes indicated that the Bifidobacterium bifiduim group improved LBW, DWG, and PI during summer than winter. So, it could be concluded that using Bifidobacterium bifidum can enhance rabbit growth by improving feed utilization and carcass traits, making it an effective addition to hot weather diets.

From Food Waste to Sustainable Agriculture: Nutritive Value of Potato By-Product in Total Mixed Ration for Angus Bulls

Raw potato fries are a type of potato by-product (PBP), and they have great potential as a partial replacement of grain in animal feeds to improve the environmental sustainability of food production. This study aimed to investigate the effects of replacing corn with different levels of PBP (0%, 12.84%, 25.65%, and 38.44%) in the total mixed ration (TMR) of Angus bull. Sixty 16-month-old Angus bulls (548.5 ± 15.0 kg, mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to four treatments. The results indicated that with the increase in the substitution amount of PBP, the body weight decreased significantly. The dry matter apparent digestibility and starch apparent digestibility linearly decreased as PBP replacement increased. The feed ingredient composition in the TMR varied, leading to a corresponding change in the rumen microbiota, especially in cellulolytic bacteria and amylolytic bacteria. The abundance of Succiniclasticum in the 12.84% PBP and 38.44% PBP diets was significantly higher than that in the 0% PBP and 25.65% PBP diets. The abundance of Ruminococcus linearly increased. In conclusion, using PBP to replace corn for beef cattle had no negative impact on rumen fermentation, and the decrease in apparent digestibility explained the change in growth performance. Its application in practical production is highly cost-effective and a strategy to reduce food waste.

A novel method for quantifying the short-range order in non-crystalline starch by Raman spectroscopy

A quantitative method was developed to characterize the short-range order in non-crystalline starch by Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectra of three forms of non-crystalline starches (just-gelatinized starch, which was heated to the point of having just lost its long-range order but still retaining essentially all of its short-range order, gelatinized starch and amorphous starch) were resolved into subspectra to calculate the short-range ordered phases. By deducting the spectra of amorphous starch using a subtraction technique, the areas of subspectra for short-range ordered phases in just-gelatinized and gelatinized starches were obtained. The ratio of the area for short-range ordered phases in gelatinized starch relative to that in just-gelatinized starch was negatively correlated with water content for gelatinization. Based on this, we propose that this ratio of areas provides a quantitative measure for assessing the short-range order in non-crystalline starch. This study provides an alternative and simpler method to an X-ray diffraction protocol proposed previously.

Kernel properties related to carotenoid release during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion in commercial dent maize hybrids

The objective of study was to investigate the relationships between maize kernel properties and carotenoid release during simulated gastrointestinal digestion of 103 hybrids of dent type. Commercial maize hybrids significantly differed in kernel hardness, chemical composition and carotenoid profile. Across all hybrids, the amount of digestible individual carotenoids increased as follows: β-carotene < α-cryptoxanthin < β-cryptoxanthin < lutein < zeaxanthin. The amount of digested carotenoids correlated negatively with amylose content and amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, while it correlated positively with the content of neutral detergent fibres and amylopectin as well as the Stenvert index. However, the content of endosperm lipids could not be related to carotenoid digestibility. Findings clearly indicate that the carotenoid release from the kernel during digestion is related to specific physical and chemical properties, leading to a better understanding of the effects of kernel matrix structure on carotenoid digestibility in dent-type maize hybrids.

Inclusion of exogenous enzymes in feedlot cattle diets: Impacts on physiology, rumen fermentation, digestibility and fatty acid profile in rumen and meat

The objective of this study was to evaluate if the inclusion of a blend composed of exogenous enzymes (amylase, protease, cellulase, xylanase and beta glucanase) in the individual and combined form in the feedlot steers diet has benefits on the physiology, rumen fermentation, digestibility and fatty acid profile in rumen and meat. The experiment used 24 animals, divided into 4 treatments, described as: T1-CON, T2-BLEND (0.5 g mixture of enzyme), T3-AMIL (0.5 g alpha-amylase), T4-BLEND+AMIL (0.5 g enzyme blend+ 0.5 g amylase). The concentration of mineral matter was higher in the meat of cattle of T4-BLEND+AMIL. A higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids was observed in the T3-AMIL group when compared to the others. The percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids was higher in the T2-BLEND and T4-BLEND+AMIL compared to the T1-CON. The combination of exogenous enzymes in the diet positively modulate nutritional biomarkers, in addition to benefits in the lipid and oxidative profile meat.

Carbohydrases and Phytase in Poultry and Pig Nutrition: A Review beyond the Nutrients and Energy Matrix

This review aimed to clarify the mechanisms through which exogenous enzymes (carbohydrases and phytase) influence intestinal health, as well as their effects on the nutrients and energy matrix in diets fed to poultry and pigs reared under sanitary challenging conditions. Enzyme supplementation can positively affect intestinal microbiota, immune system, and enhance antioxidant status. Although enzymes have been shown to save energy and nutrients, their responses under sanitary challenging conditions are poorly documented. Immune system activation alters nutrient partitioning, which can affect the matrix values for exogenous enzymes on commercial farms. Notably, the carbohydrases and phytase supplementation under sanitary challenging conditions align with energy and nutritional valorization matrices. Studies conducted under commercial conditions have shown that matrices containing carbohydrases and phytase can maintain growth performance and health in poultry and pigs. However, these studies have predominantly focused on assessing a single level of reduction in energy and/or available phosphorus and total calcium, limiting our ability to quantify potential energy and nutrient savings in the diet. Future research should delve deeper into determining the extent of energy and nutrient savings and understanding the effects of alone or blended enzymes supplementation to achieve more specific insights.

Why Bufo gargarizans tadpoles grow bigger in Pb-contaminated environments? The gut microbiota matter

The impacts of lead/Pb2+ on ecosystems have received widespread attention. Growth suppression is a major toxic effect of Pb compounds on aquatic animals, however, some studies have also reported their growth-promoting effects. These complex outcomes may be explained by anions that accompany Pb2+ or by the multiple toxic mechanisms/pathways of Pb2+. To examine these hypotheses, we tested how Bufo gargarizans tadpoles responded to Pb(NO3)2 (100 and 200 μg/L Pb2+) using transcriptomics and microbiomics, with NaNO3 and blank groups as controls. Tadpoles exposed to Pb(NO3)2 showed delayed development while increased somatic growth in a dose-dependent manner, which can be attributed to the effects of NO3- and Pb2+, respectively. Tadpole transcriptomics revealed that exposure to NO3- downregulated the MAPK pathway at transcriptional level, explaining the development-suppressing effect of NO3-; while Pb2+ upregulated the transcription of detoxification pathways (e.g., xenobiotics metabolism by cytochrome P450 and glutathione metabolism), indicating cellular stress and thus contradicting the growth advantage of Pb2+-exposed tadpoles. Pb2+ exposure changed the tadpole gut microbiota drastically, characterized by increased polysaccharides and carbohydrate utilization while decreased fatty acid and amino acid consumption according to microbial functional analysis. Similar gut microbial variations were observed in field-collected tadpoles from different Pb2+ environments. This metabolic shift in gut microbiota likely improved the overall food utilization efficiency and increased the allocation of fatty acids and amino acids to the host, explaining the growth advantage of Pb2+-exposed tadpoles. In summary, our results suggest multiple toxic pathways of Pb2+, and the gut microbiota may affect the pollution outcomes on animals.

Effects of ensiling time on corn silage starch ruminal degradability evaluated in situ or in vitro

Accurate measurements of concentration and ruminal degradability of corn silage starch is necessary for formulation of diets that meet the energy requirements of dairy cows. Five corn silage hybrids ensiled for 0 (unfermented), 30, 60, 120, and 150 d were used to determine the effects of ensiling time on starch degradability of corn silage. In addition, the effects of grind size of silage samples on 7-h in vitro starch degradability and the relationship between in vitro, in situ and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) starch degradability were studied. In situ disappearance of corn silage starch increased from 0 to 150 d of ensiling, primarily as a result of an increase in the washout or rapidly degraded fraction of starch, particularly during the first 60 d of ensiling. When analyzed in vitro and by NIRS, ensiling time increased corn silage starch degradability either linearly or to a greater extent during the first 2 mo of ensiling. Differences in in situ starch disappearance among corn silage hybrids were apparent during the first 2 mo of ensiling but were attenuated as silages aged. No differences among hybrids were detected using a 7-h in vitro starch digestibility approach. Results from the in vitro subexperiment indicate that 7-h in vitro starch degradability was increased by reducing grind size of corn silage from 4 to 1 mm, regardless of ensiling duration. Fine grinding corn silages samples (i.e., 1-mm sieve) allowed distinguishing low- from medium- and high-starch degradability rated hybrids. Correlations among in situ, in vitro and NIRS measurements for starch degradability were medium to high (r ≥0.57); however, agreement among methods was low (concordance correlation coefficient ≤0.15). In conclusion, ensiling time linearly increased degradation rate of corn silage resulting in greater in situ starch disappearance after 150 d of ensiling. Reductions in grind size from 4 to 1 mm resulted in greater in vitro starch degradability, regardless of ensiling duration. Strong correlation but low agreement between starch degradability methods suggest that absolute estimations of corn silage starch degradability will vary, but all methods can be used to assess the effect of ensiling time on starch degradability.

Prediction of available energy and amino acid digestibility of Chinese sorghum fed to growing-finishing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), as well as the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in 10 sorghum samples fed to pigs. In experiment 1, 22 crossbred barrows (Duroc × Yorkshire × Landrace, Initial body weight [BW]: 70.0 ± 1.8 kg) were selected and allotted to a replicated 11 × 3 incomplete Latin square design, including a basal diet and 10 sorghum energy diets and three consecutive periods. Each period had 7 d adaptation and 5 d total feces and urine collection. The DE and ME were determined by the total collection and the difference method. In experiment 2, 22 crossbred barrows (Duroc × Yorkshire × Landrace, Initial BW: 41.3 ± 1.2 kg) that had a T-cannula installed in the distal ileum were assigned to a replicated 11 × 3 incomplete Latin square design, including an N-free diet and 10 sorghum diets. Each period had 5 d adaptation and 2 d ileal digesta collection. The basal endogenous N losses were measured by the N-free diet method. All diets in experiment 2 were added 0.30% titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker for calculating the ileal CP and AA digestibility. On an as-fed basis, the DE and ME contents in sorghum were 3,410 kcal/kg (2,826 to 3,794 kcal/kg) and 3,379 kcal/kg (2,785 to 3,709 kcal/kg), respectively. The best-fit prediction equation for DE and ME were DE = 6,267.945 - (1,271.154 × % tannin) - (1,109.720 × % ash) (R2 = 0.803) and ME = 51.263 + (0.976 × DE) (R2 = 0.994), respectively. The SID of CP, Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp (SIDCP, SIDLys, SIDMet, SIDThr, and SIDTrp) in 10 sorghum samples were 78.48% (69.56% to 84.23%), 74.27% (61.11% to 90.60%), 92.07% (85.16% to 95.40%), 75.46% (66.39% to 80.80%) and 87.99% (84.21% to 92.37%), respectively. The best prediction equations for SID of CP and the first four limiting AAs were as following: SIDCP = 93.404 - (21.026 × % tannin) (R2 = 0.593), SIDCP = 42.922 - (4.011 × % EE) + (151.774 × % Met) (R2 = 0.696), SIDLys = 129.947 - (670.760 × % Trp) (R2 = 0.821), SIDMet = 111.347 - (232.298 × % Trp) (R2 = 0.647), SIDThr = 55.187 + (3.851 × % ADF) (R2 = 0.609) and SIDTrp = 95.676 - (10.824 × % tannin) (R2 = 0.523), respectively. Overall, tannin and ash are the first and second predictors of DE and ME values of sorghum, respectively, and the tannin, EE, Trp, ash, CF, and ADF can be used as the key predictors for SID of CP and first four limiting AAs.

The Evaluation of γ-Zein Reduction Using Mass Spectrometry—The Influence of Proteolysis Type in Relation to Starch Degradability in Silages

The starch availability and nutritional value of corn (Zea mays L.) are affected by zein proteins. The aim of the study was to see whether the proposed reduction of γ-zeins during the fermentation of silages is a result of either the enzymatic proteolytic activity or of the acidic environment, and how this reduction affects starch availability and degradability in high-moisture corn. A mass spectrometry (MS) technique was used to quantify the 16- and 27-kDa γ-zeins. Briefly, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was used for γ-zein separation, followed by densitometry for protein quantification and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight MS (MALDI-TOF/TOF) for protein identification. The results show that the reduction in γ-zeins induced by the ensiling led to a more pronounced starch availability and in vitro degradation, and this reduction was dependent on the type of proteolysis. More specifically, the results indicate that the reduction of γ-zeins in the ensiled corn was primarily driven by the enzymatic proteolysis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that 2-DE followed by densitometric quantification and the mass spectrometry analysis for protein identification can be used as a state-of-the-art method for γ-zein evaluation both in fresh and fermented/ensiled corn samples.

Sweet vs. Salty Former Food Products in Post-Weaning Piglets: Effects on Growth, Apparent Total Tract Digestibility and Blood Metabolites

Simple Summary

Nowadays, researchers need to find a solution to the growing demand for sustainable animal productions. Livestock animal’s nutrition is the component with major impacts on environment and economy. The biggest challenge is to find alternative feed ingredients to minimize and valorize the food leftovers. Food industry leftovers, also called former food products, could be a valid alternative to grains in young pigs’ nutrition. From a nutritional point of view, these ingredients are very similar to standard cereals, like corn. The results from this study suggest that a partial substitution of standard ingredients with two different sources of former food products in the diets of post-weaned pigs is possible, without any negative effects on growth performance and health of animals.

Abstract

Former food products (FFPs) have a great potential to replace conventional feed ingredients. This study aimed to investigate the possibility to partially replace standard ingredients with two different types of FFPs: bakery (FFPs-B) or confectionary (FFPs-C) FFPs and their effects on growth performances, feed digestibility and metabolic status in post-weaning piglets. Thirty-six post-weaning piglets were randomly assigned to three experimental diets (n = 12 per diet) for 42 days: a standard diet (CTR), a diet where 30% of standard ingredients were replaced by confectionary FFPs (FFPs-C) and a diet where 30% of standard ingredients were replaced by bakery FFPs (FFPs-B). Individual body weight and fecal dry matter were measured weekly. Feed intake (FI) was determined daily. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Fecal samples were collected daily for three days/week to determine apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter (ATTD). At day 0, 21 and 42, blood samples were collected from all the piglets. No significant differences (p > 0.05) between groups were found in growth performances and metabolic profile. However, ATTD in FFPs-B group was lower (p < 0.05) compared to the CTR group at the end of the experiment. This study confirmed the possibility to formulate homogeneous diets integrated with 30% of both categories of FFPs. Further investigations are needed to clarify the effects of bakery former food products on the digestibility of the diet.

Resistant starch: Implications of dietary inclusion on gut health and growth in pigs: a review

Starch from cereal grains, pulse grains, and tubers is a major energy substrate in swine rations constituting up to 55% of the diet. In pigs, starch digestion is initiated by salivary and then pancreatic α-amylase, and has as final step the digestion of disaccharides by the brush-border enzymes in the small intestine that produce monosaccharides (glucose) for absorption. Resistant starch (RS) is the proportion of starch that escapes the enzymatic digestion and absorption in the small intestine. The undigested starch reaches the distal small intestine and hindgut for microbial fermentation, which produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) for absorption. SCFA in turn, influence microbial ecology and gut health of pigs. These fermentative metabolites exert their benefits on gut health through promoting growth and proliferation of enterocytes, maintenance of intestinal integrity and thus immunity, and modulation of the microbial community in part by suppressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria while selectively enhancing beneficial microbes. Thus, RS has the potential to confer prebiotic effects and may contribute to the improvement of intestinal health in pigs during the post-weaning period. Despite these benefits to the well-being of pigs, RS has a contradictory effect due to lower energetic efficiency of fermented vs. digested starch absorption products. The varying amount and type of RS interact differently with the digestion process along the gastrointestinal tract affecting its energy efficiency and host physiological responses including feed intake, energy metabolism, and feed efficiency. Results of research indicate that the use of RS as prebiotic may improve gut health and thereby, reduce the incidence of post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) and associated mortality. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the effects of RS on microbial ecology, gut health and growth performance in pigs.

Nutritional Properties of Rice Varieties Commonly Consumed in Italy and Applicability in Gluten Free Diet

Gluten-free diets are often characterized by an inadequate intake of nutrients and are generally monotonous for the limited number of products celiac patients can use. As rice is the most used cereal by celiac consumers, studying rice varieties nutritional characteristics is of interest to manage diet quality and variety. Proteins, total carbohydrates and amylose content of six rice varieties (Ribe, Vialone Nano, Carnaroli, Arborio, Basmati, and Fragrance) were analyzed. Analyses were performed in raw products and after boiling, stewing, and microwaving. A decrease of proteins and total carbohydrates amount was observed in cooked rice. The same was reported for amylose content with boiling showing the highest loss (average retained amylose 53%). Considering amylose percentage with respect to total carbohydrates, each variety showed either an increase or a decrease depending on cooking method. The highest values were obtained with stewing above all for Basmati rice and Arborio rice. However, exceptions can be underlined as Carnaroli rice, showing the highest percentage when boiled. In this context, nutritional characteristics of cooked rice varieties appear to be of great importance to increase specific nutritional knowledge to better manage gluten-free diets.

Interplay between grain digestion and fibre in relation to gastro-small-intestinal passage rate and feed intake in pigs

PURPOSE

The combined effects of grain digestibility and dietary fibre on digesta passage rate and satiety in humans are poorly understood. Satiety can be increased through gastric distention, reduced gastric emptying rate and when partially digested nutrients reach the terminal ileum to stimulate peptide release through the ileal/colonic brakes to slow the rate of digesta passage. This study determined the effects of grain digestibility and insoluble fibre on mean retention time (MRT) of digesta from mouth-to-ileum, feed intake (FI), starch digestion to the terminal ileum and faecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in a pig model.

METHOD

Twelve grain-based [milled sorghum (MS), steam-flaked-sorghum, milled wheat, and steam-flaked-wheat (SFW)] diets with different intrinsic rates of starch digestion, assessed by apparent amylase diffusion coefficient (ADC), and fibre from oat hulls (OH) at 0, 5 and 20% of the diet were fed to ileal-cannulated pigs.

RESULT

MRT was affected by grain-type/processing (P < 0.05) and fibre amount (P < 0.05). An approximate tenfold increase in ADC showed a limited decline in MRT (P = 0.18). OH at 20% increased MRT (P < 0.05) and reduced FI (P < 0.05). Ileal digestibility of starch increased and faecal SCFA concentration decreased with ADC; values for MS being lower (P < 0.001) and higher (P < 0.05), respectively, than for SFW.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower ileal digestibility of starch, higher faecal SCFA concentration and longer MRT of MS than SFW, suggest the ileal/colonic brakes may be operating. FI appeared to decrease with increasing MRT. MRT increased and intake decreased with grain-based foods/feeds that have low starch digestibility and substantial amounts of insoluble fibre.

A current review of structure, functional properties, and industrial applications of pulse starches for value-added utilization

Pulse crops have received growing attention from the agri-food sector because they can provide advantageous health benefits and offer a promising source of starch and protein. Pea, lentil, and faba bean are the three leading pulse crops utilized for extracting protein concentrate/isolate in food industry, which simultaneously generates a rising volume of pulse starch as a co-product. Pulse starch can be fractionated from seeds using dry and wet methods. Compared with most commercial starches, pea, lentil, and faba bean starches have relatively high amylose contents, longer amylopectin branch chains, and characteristic C-type polymorphic arrangement in the granules. The described molecular and granular structures of the pulse starches impart unique functional attributes, including high final viscosity during pasting, strong gelling property, and relatively low digestibility in a granular form. Starch isolated from wrinkled pea-a high-amylose mutant of this pulse crop-possesses an even higher amylose content and longer branch chains of amylopectin than smooth pea, lentil, and faba bean starches, which make the physicochemical properties and digestibility of the former distinctively different from those of common pulse starches. The special functional properties of pulse starches promote their applications in food, feed, bioplastic and other industrial products, which can be further expanded by modifying them through chemical, physical and/or enzymatic approaches. Future research directions to increase the fractionation efficiency, improve the physicochemical properties, and enhance the industrial utilization of pulse starches have also been proposed. The comprehensive information covered in this review will be beneficial for the pulse industry to develop effective strategies to generate value from pulse starch.

Effects of exogenous α-amylases, glucoamylases, and proteases on ruminal in vitro dry matter and starch digestibility, gas production, and volatile fatty acids of mature dent corn grain

Two separate experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of incremental doses of 10 exogenous endo-acting α-amylase and exo-acting glucoamylase; 1LAT (bacterial α-amylase), 2AK, 3AC, 4Cs4, 5Trga, 6Afuga, 7Fvga, and 10Tg (fungal α-amylases, glucoamylases, and α-glucosidase), 8Star and 9Syn (fungal amylase-mixtures; experiment 1) and three exogenous proteases; 11P14L, 12P7L, and 13P30L (bacterial proteases; experiment 2) on in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in vitro starch digestibility (IVSD) of mature dent corn grain using a batch culture system. Incremental doses of the exogenous enzymes (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 mg/g of dried substrate) were applied directly to the substrate (0.5 g of ground corn, 4 mm) in sextuplicate (experiment 1) or quadruplicate (experiment 2) within F57 filter bags, which were incubated at 39 °C in buffered rumen fluid for 7 h. Rumen fluid was collected 2-3 h after the morning feeding from three lactating dairy cows and pooled. Cows were consuming a midlactation total mixed ration (TMR; 1.60 Mcal/kg DM and 15.4%; net energy of lactation and crude protein, respectively). Three independent runs were carried out for each experiment. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using run as the blocking factor. Dose was used as a fixed factor while run was considered a random factor. Linear, quadratic, and cubic orthogonal contrasts were also tested. In experiment 1, enzymes 2AK, 3AC, and 10Tg did not increase (P > 0.10) IVDMD and IVSD, whereas 0.25 mg of enzymes 1LAT, 5Trga, and 8Star increased (P < 0.01) IVDMD by 23%, 47%, and 62% and IVSD by 35%, 41%, and 58%, respectively, compared with the control. Enzymes 4Cs4, 6Afuga, 7Fvga, and 9Syn linearly increased IVDMD and IVSD (P < 0.01). Greatest increases in IVDMD (82.9%) and IVSD (85.9%) resulted with 1 mg of 6Afuga compared to control. In experiment 2, the lowest dose of exogenous proteases 11P14L and 12P7L increased (P < 0.01) IVDMD by 98% and 87% and IVSD by 57% and 64%, respectively, whereas the highest dose of 13P30L increased (P = 0.02) IVDMD by 44.8% and IVSD by 30%, relative to the control. In conclusion, IVSD and IVDMD were increased by one α-amylase, certain glucoamylases, and all proteases tested, with the glucoamylase 6Afuga in experiment 1 and the neutral protease 12P7L in experiment 2, increasing IVDMD and IVSD to the greater extents. Future in vivo studies are required to validate these findings before these enzyme additives can be recommended for improving the digestibility of mature dent corn grain.

Effect of kernel processing and particle size of whole-plant corn silage with vitreous endosperm on dairy cow performance

Kernel processing and theoretical length of cut (TLOC) of whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) can affect feed intake, digestibility, and performance of dairy cows. The objective of this study was to evaluate for lactating dairy cows the effects of kernel processing and TLOC of WPCS with vitreous endosperm. The treatments were a pull-type forage harvester without kernel processor set for a 6-mm TLOC (PT6) and a self-propelled forage harvester with kernel processor set for a 6-mm TLOC (SP6), 12-mm TLOC (SP12), and 18-mm TLOC (SP18). Processing scores of the WPCS were 32.1% (PT6), 53.9% (SP6), 49.0% (SP12), and 40.1% (SP18). Twenty-four Holstein cows (139 ± 63 d in milk) were blocked and assigned to six 4 × 4 Latin squares with 24-d periods (18 d of adaptation). Diets were formulated to contain 48.5% WPCS, 15.5% citrus pulp, 15.0% dry ground corn, 9.5% soybean meal, 6.8% low rumen degradability soybean meal, 1.8% calcium soap of palm fatty acids (FA), 1.7% mineral and vitamin mix, and 1% urea (dry matter basis). Nutrient composition of the diets (% of dry matter) was 16.5% crude protein, 28.9% neutral detergent fiber, and 25.4% starch. Three orthogonal contrasts were used to compare treatments: effect of kernel processing (PT6 vs. SP6) and effect of TLOC (particle size; SP6 vs. SP12 and SP12 vs. SP18). Cows fed SP6 produced 1.2 kg/d greater milk yield with no changes in dry matter intake, resulting in greater feed efficiency compared with PT6. Cows fed SP6 also produced more milk protein (+36 g/d), lactose (+61 g/d), and total solids (+94 g/d) than cows fed PT6. The mechanism for increased yield of milk and milk components involved greater kernel fragmentation, starch digestibility, and glucose availability for lactose synthesis by the mammary gland. However, cows fed SP6 had lower chewing time and tended to have greater levels of serum amyloid A compared with PT6. Milk yield was similar for SP6 and SP12, but SP12 cows tended to have less serum amyloid A with greater chewing time. Cows fed SP18 had lower total-tract starch digestibility and tended to have lower plasma glucose and produce less milk compared with cows fed SP12. Compared with PT6, feeding SP6 raised linear odd-chain FA concentration in milk. Similarly, a reduction of these same FA occurred for SP12 compared with SP6. Cows fed SP6 had greater proportion of milk C14:1 and C16:1 compared with PT6 and SP12. Lesser trans C18:1 followed by greater C18:0 concentrations were observed for SP12 and PT6 compared with SP6, which is an indication of more complete biohydrogenation in the rumen. Under the conditions of this study, the use of a self-propelled forage harvester with kernel processing set for a 12-mm TLOC is recommended for WPCS from hybrids with vitreous endosperm.

Lactational response of early-lactation Holstein cows fed starch or floury corn silage

The study objective was to evaluate the lactational performance of early-lactation dairy cows fed a total mixed ration (TMR) based on corn silage produced from a standard starch hybrid compared with 2 floury starch hybrids. Twenty-one (6 primiparous and 21 multiparous) high-producing, early-lactation Holstein cows were blocked by calving date and parity and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 experimental corn silages from wk 4 through wk 12 postpartum using a randomized complete block design with wk 3 as a covariate. The Dekalb blend (STA; Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO), Masters Choice 527 (LF₁; Masters Choice, Anna, IL), and Masters Choice 5250 (LF₂) treatments were planted and harvested as corn silage using a kernel processor silage harvester, inoculated, and ensiled in individual Ag-Bags (Ag-Bag, St. Nazianz, WI). The TMR were formulated to be isonitrogenous at 17.5% crude protein consisting of 15.9% alfalfa hay, 35.1% concentrate mix, and 48% of the respective experimental corn silage on a dry matter basis. Crude protein content of STA and LF₂ was lower than LF₁ corn silage. Starch content was higher for STA compared with LF₁ and LF₂ silage. The TMR digestible fiber (neutral detergent fiber) concentration was lower for STA than LF₁ and LF₂ (14.0, 15.5, and 17.9% dry matter for STA, LF₁, and LF₂, respectively). Growing crop year affected corn silage vomitoxin (0.60, 1.45, and 1.56 mg/kg) concentrations, which may have affected lactational performance as STA corn silage was from 2013, whereas LF₁ and LF₂ were from the 2012 crop year. Dry matter intake (22.9, 23.5, and 22.4 kg/d), milk yield (35.6, 34.8, and 36.1 kg/d), 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield (38.7, 36.5, and 37.6 kg/d), energy-corrected milk yield (38.2, 36.1, and 38.1 kg/d), feed efficiency (1.79, 1.61, and 1.67 kg/kg; 3.5% fat-corrected milk/dry matter intake), milk fat (4.17, 3.94, and 3.71%), milk protein (3.12, 3.09, and 3.03%), lactose (4.93, 4.92, and 4.92%), solids-not-fat (8.96, 8.92, and 8.85%), body weight change (-0.10, -0.06, and -0.08 kg/d), and body condition score change (-0.05, -0.04, and -0.05 score/d) were similar for early-lactation dairy cows fed all corn silage hybrids. Lower ruminal pH and acetate along with higher propionate molar percentages were reported for cows fed STA compared with cows fed LF₁ and LF₂. Early-lactation dairy cows fed a corn silage with lower starch and higher digestible fiber concentrations resulted in similar milk production compared with cows fed higher starch and lower digestible fiber concentrations.

Decreased amylolytic microbes of the hindgut and increased blood glucose implied improved starch utilization in the small intestine by feeding rumen-protected leucine in dairy calves

Starch digestion in the small intestine in ruminants is relatively lower compared with that in monogastric animals, likely due to low pancreatic α-amylase secretion. Previous studies suggested that leucine could increase pancreatic α-amylase secretion in the small intestine of heifers cannulated with abomasal, duodenal, and ileal catheters. However, the surgical procedures probably have an effect on pancreatic function. Thus, we used rumen-protected leucine (RP-Leu) to explore its effect on small intestinal digestion of starch in calves without any surgery in 3 experiments. The first experiment was to explore whether RP-Leu could improve post-ruminal starch digestion in 5-mo-old calves (158 ± 19 kg body weight ± standard deviation). We found that RP-Leu did not affect rumen fermentation profile or whole-tract starch digestibility, but it increased blood glucose concentration and fecal pH and decreased fecal propionate molar proportion. Additionally, RP-Leu increased fibrolytic genera Ruminiclostridium and Pseudobutyrivibrio and decreased the amylolytic genus of Faecalibacterium. The second experiment compared RP-Leu and rumen-protected lysine (RP-Lys) for their effects on post-ruminal starch digestion in 6-mo-old calves (201 ± 24 kg body weight). The responses of blood glucose concentration, fecal pH, fecal propionate proportion, and starch digestibility to RP-Leu supplementation were similar to those observed in experiment 1. Cellulolytic family Ruminococcaceae and Bacteroidales BS11 gut group tended to be increased by RP-Leu. In contrast, RP-Lys showed no significant influence on the above measurements. The third experiment determined the interaction between RP-Leu and rumen-escape starch (RES) on the small intestinal digestion of starch in 8-mo-old calves (289 ± 26 kg body weight). An interaction between RP-Leu and RES levels was observed in fecal butyrate concentration and the relative abundance of family Bacteroidaceae, and genera Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 and Bacteroides. We found that RP-Leu tended to increase the abundance of fecal Firmicutes and decrease Spirochaetae. In conclusion, RP-Leu, but not RP-Lys, increased blood glucose concentration and decreased the amount of starch fermented in the hindgut in a RES dose-dependent manner, suggesting that RP-Leu might stimulate starch digestion in the small intestine.

Association between diet and rumen microbiota in wild roe deer

The association between diet and the rumen microbiota for wild animals remains largely unexplored. Here, we explored this association using a combination of 16S rRNA gene sequencing to determine the prokaryote microbiota and 18S rRNA gene sequencing to determine the dietary components for wild roe deer. These analyses revealed a wide diversity of dietary components, with over-representation of Bacteroidetes for the diet-correlating bacteria. Ruminococcus, on the other hand, dominated the stable diet-independent part of the microbiota. Taken together, the combination of 16S and 18S rRNA gene analyses provide novel insight into rumen microbiota ecology.

Review: Effects of fibre, grain starch digestion rate and the ileal brake on voluntary feed intake in pigs

Grains rich in starch constitute the primary source of energy for both pigs and humans, but there is incomplete understanding of physiological mechanisms that determine the extent of digestion of grain starch in monogastric animals including pigs and humans. Slow digestion of starch to produce glucose in the small intestine (SI) leads to undigested starch escaping to the large intestine where it is fermented to produce short-chain fatty acids. Glucose generated from starch provides more energy than short-chain fatty acids for normal metabolism and growth in monogastrics. While incomplete digestion of starch leads to underutilised feed in pigs and economic losses, it is desirable in human nutrition to maintain consistent body weight in adults. Undigested nutrients reaching the ileum may trigger the ileal brake, and fermentation of undigested nutrients or fibre in the large intestine triggers the colonic brake. These intestinal brakes reduce the passage rate in an attempt to maximise nutrient utilisation, and lead to increased satiety that may reduce feed intake. The three physiological mechanisms that control grain digestion and feed intake are: (1) gastric emptying rate; (2) interplay of grain digestion and passage rate in the SI controlling the activation of the ileal brake; and (3) fermentation of undigested nutrients or fibre in the large intestine activating the colonic brake. Fibre plays an important role in influencing these mechanisms and the extent of their effects. In this review, an account of the physiological mechanisms controlling the passage rate, feed intake and enzymatic digestion of grains is presented: (1) to evaluate the merits of recently developed methods of grain/starch digestion for application purposes; and (2) to identify opportunities for future research to advance our understanding of how the combination of controlled grain digestion and fibre content can be manipulated to physiologically influence satiety and food intake.

Influence of a novel bm3 corn silage hybrid with floury kernel genetics on lactational performance and feed efficiency of Holstein cows

Dry matter intake, lactation performance, and chewing behavior of multiparous Holstein cows (n = 15) fed diets containing a novel bm3 corn silage hybrid with floury kernel genetics were compared with cows fed diets containing commercially available conventional and bm3 hybrids using a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 28-d periods. Cows were housed in tiestalls, milked 3 times/d, and fed a total mixed ration containing 49.0% (dry matter basis) of (1) a conventional corn silage hybrid (CONV); (2) a brown midrib bm3 hybrid (BMR); or (3) a bm3 hybrid with floury kernel genetics (BMRFL). All diets contained 6.3% hay crop silage and 44.7% concentrate. Dietary nutrient composition averaged 32.7% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and 26.3 starch (% of dry matter). Data were analyzed by ANOVA using the MIXED procedure in SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). The dry matter intake was greater for cows fed BMR (28.0 kg/d) compared with CONV (26.8 kg/d), whereas dry matter intake for cows fed BMRFL was intermediate (27.6 kg/d). Energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield was greater for cows fed BMR (50.3 kg/d) and BMRFL (51.8 kg/d) compared with CONV (47.2 kg/d). Milk fat yield was higher for cows fed BMRFL (1.87 kg/d) compared with CONV (1.74 kg/d) and BMR (1.80 kg/d). Milk protein yield was greater for cows fed BMR (1.49 kg/d) and BMRFL (1.54 kg/d) compared with CONV (1.36 kg/d). Milk urea-N was reduced for cows fed BMR (11.61 mg/dL) and BMRFL (11.16 mg/dL) compared with CONV (13.60 mg/dL). Feed efficiency (ECM/dry matter intake) was higher for cows fed BMRFL (1.87) compared with CONV (1.76) and BMR (1.79). Milk N efficiency was greatest for cows fed BMRFL (40.4%) followed by BMR (38.1%) and finally CONV (35.3%). Cows fed CONV chewed 5 min more per kilograms of NDF consumed than cows fed either of the BMR hybrids. No differences were observed among diets in apparent total-tract digestibility of NDF (58.1%) or starch (99.3%). Overall lactational performance was enhanced for cows fed diets containing both BMR and BMRFL hybrids versus CONV. In addition, feeding the BMRFL corn silage improved efficiency of component-corrected milk production and milk N efficiency compared with the CONV and BMR silages.

Influence of Traditional vs Alternative Dietary Carbohydrates Sources on the Large Intestinal Microbiota in Post-Weaning Piglets

Simple Summary

Nutritional and environmental changes result in significant physiological changes in pigs at the weaning stage. The post-weaning period is mainly characterized by low feed intake and feed efficiency, together with intestinal disturbances. Maximizing the energy intake is known to be critical for promoting growth in weaned piglets, and it is essential to formulate diets with highly digestible and absorbable nutrients/ingredients, as the degree of intestinal maturation is limited. The current challenge is to find new sustainable, effective, and simple carbohydrate sources to satisfy these conditions without producing detrimental effects on the gut ecosystem. In this research, processed and ready-to-eat food products that are no longer suitable for humans were tested, which have high potential as an alternative energy source for pig nutrition. The results demonstrated that replacing conventional ingredients with highly digestible and simple carbohydrate-rich ingredients in the diets of post-weaning piglets did not affect their growth. However, both the abundance and composition of the bacterial community in the large intestine changed. Thus, the results should be interpreted with caution, as they are case-specific, and when these alternative feed ingredients are used in the post-weaning period, their inclusion rate and their effect on microbiota must be carefully considered.

Abstract

In this study, common cereal grains were partially replaced by former foodstuffs products (FFPs) in post-weaning piglets’ diets, to investigate how these alternative ingredients influence the faecal microbiota in the post-weaning period. Twelve post-weaning piglets were housed for 16 days in individual pens and were then fed two diets: a standard wheat-barley-corn meal diet and a diet containing 30% FFPs, thus partially substituting conventional cereals. The growth performance was monitored and faecal microbiota was characterized by the next generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The results showed no detrimental effects on growth performance when FFPs were used. However, the FFP diet decreased the bacterial richness and evenness in the large intestine, while minor differences were observed in the taxa composition. The core microbiota composition was only slightly affected, and no differences between the two groups in the gut microbiota composition at the phylum level over time were observed. Thus, although these results should be interpreted with caution, as they are case-specific, FFPs can be potentially used as alternative carbohydrate sources in post-weaning piglets, but further investigations are necessary to clarify their impact on gut health when used for a longer period.

Digestibilidade do amido e comportamento ingestivo de novilhos confinados sob efeito de doses de complexo enzimático em dietas de alta densidade energética

RESUMO O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a conversão alimentar, a digestibilidade do amido, o comportamento ingestivo e o escore de sobras da dieta e de fezes de novilhos confinados, suplementados com doses do complexo enzimático (0; 2,5; 5,0 e 7,5g animal-1 dia-1) e alimentados com dieta constituída por 85% de grão de milho e 15% de núcleo proteico, vitamínico e mineral, na base seca, isenta de forragem. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso contendo quatro tratamentos e quatro repetições. Trinta e dois novilhos inteiros, ½ sangue Angus Nelore, com idade média de 12 meses e peso vivo médio inicial de 422kg, foram confinados por um período de 77 dias. Cada grama de inclusão de complexo enzimático melhorou a conversão alimentar em 0,1652%, reduziu a matéria seca das fezes em 0,4648% e o tempo de ingestão de água em 0,0068 horas dia-1. A máxima digestibilidade do amido foi alcançada na dose de 5,08g animal-1 dia-1. A inclusão progressiva do complexo enzimático à dieta de alta densidade energética promoveu melhoria na conversão alimentar, redução na matéria seca das fezes e diminuição do tempo de ingestão de água. A dose de 5g animal-1 dia-1 do complexo enzimático aumentou a digestibilidade do amido.

Postruminal digestion of starch infused into the abomasum of heifers with or without exogenous amylase administration

The effect of an exogenous amylase on postruminal digestion of starch infused into the abomasum of cattle was studied. Four rumen-cannulated heifers were fed 5.5 kg DM/d of a diet without starch, and assigned randomly to a crossover design. The experiment consisted of 2 periods lasting 23 d each with 10 d for adaptation to the diet followed by 13 d of abomasal infusion and sample collection. During the first 3 d of each infusion phase, isotonic saline solution was infused (1 liter/h) for measurement of baseline values in feces, followed by daily infusions of 880 g DM corn starch (1 kg/10 liters of water) without or with the addition of 2% of amylase. Titanium dioxide (10 g/d) was ruminally administered for estimation of fecal excretion. Digestion of starch in small intestine was calculated as the difference between the amounts of infused starch, disappeared from hindgut and fecal excretion. The apparent disappearance of starch from the hindgut was estimated based on the increment of microbial nitrogen (N) excretion due to starch infusion (1 g microbial N/100 g fermented starch) compared to baseline values. The concentration of purine bases in feces was used to estimate excretion of microbial N. Microbial N excretion increased with starch infusion (P < 0.05) but was not influenced by amylase (P = 0.81). Starch disappearance from the small intestine was not improved by amylase (P = 0.78) and averaged 85%. Amylase affected neither blood concentration of glucose (P = 0.80) nor of insulin (P = 0.26), but glucagon was lower without (P < 0.0001) than with amylase. The infusion of starch increased fecal excretion of total VFA (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) by 53% (P < 0.05), which indicates increased carbohydrate fermentation in the hindgut and incomplete digestion of starch in the small intestine. However, the excretion of total VFA was not affected by amylase (P = 0.66). Lactate excretion was higher at the second day of starch infusion (P < 0.05) without than with amylase, which suggests lower flow of starch from the small intestine to the hindgut due to a possible effect of amylase addition in animals not adapted to starch digestion. However, lactate excretion returned near to baseline values within 2 d, which was probably due to increase of lactate-utilizing bacteria and the adaptation of the microbial population in the hindgut. Further studies with higher starch levels and addition of amylase are recommended.

Short communication: In vitro rumen gas production and starch degradation of starch-based feeds depend on mean particle size

Our objective was to model the effect of mean particle size (mPS) on in vitro rumen starch degradation (IVSD) and the kinetics of gas production for different starch-based feeds. For each feed, 2 batches of the same grains were separately processed through 2 different mills (cutter or rotor speed mills), with or without different screens to achieve a wide range of mPS (0.32 to 3.31 mm for corn meals; 0.19 to 2.81 mm for barley meals; 0.16 to 2.13 mm for wheat meals; 0.28 to 2.32 mm for oat meals; 0.21 to 2.36 mm for rye meals; 0.40 to 1.79 for sorghum meals; 0.26 to 4.71 mm for pea meals; and 0.25 to 4.53 mm for faba meals). The IVSD data and gas production kinetics, obtained by fitting to a single-pool exponential model, were analyzed using a completely randomized design, in which the main tested effect was mPS (n = 6 for all tested meals, except n = 7 for corn meals and n = 5 for sorghum meals). Rumen inocula were collected from 2 fistulated Holstein dairy cows that were fed a total mixed ration consisting of 16.2% crude protein, 28.5% starch, and 35.0% neutral detergent fiber on a dry matter basis. The IVSD, evaluated after 7 h of rumen incubation, decreased linearly with increasing mPS for corn, barley, wheat, rye, pea, and faba meals, and decreased quadratically with increasing mPS for the other meals. The y-axis intercept for 7-h IVSD was below 90% starch for corn, barley, and rye feeds and greater than 90% for the other tested feeds. The mPS adjustment factors for the rate of rumen starch degradation varied widely among the different tested feeds. We found a linear decrease in starch degradation with increasing mPS for barley, wheat, rye, and pea meals, whereas we noted a quadratic decrease in starch degradation for the other tested meals. Further, we observed a linear decrease in the rate of gas production with increasing mPS in each tested feed, except for pea meal, which had a quadratic relationship. For each 1 mm increase in mPS, the gas production was adjusted by -0.009 h^-1 for corn, -0.011 h^-1 for barley, -0.008 h^-1 for wheat, and -0.006 h^-1 for faba, whereas numerically greater adjustments were needed for oat (-0.022 h^-1), rye (-0.017 h^-1), and sorghum (-0.014 h^-1). These mPS adjustment factors could be used to modify the starch-based feed energy values as a function of mean particle size, although in vivo validation is required.

Effect of dietary polyphenols on the in vitro starch digestibility of pigmented maize varieties under cooking conditions

Interest in using polyphenols as modulators of the activity of starch digestive enzymes is increasing. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the role of phenolic compounds characterising pigmented maize flours in the modulation of in vitro starch digestibility. Flours from three different pigmented maize varieties were evaluated under cooking conditions and compared to common yellow maize (YM). The untargeted metabolomics-based approach comprehensively annotated around 300 phenolic compounds, with a high distribution of anthocyanins and phenolic acids (in free and bound fractions of maize samples) and significant differences across genotypes. Following in vitro starch digestion, the cooked pigmented maize flours showed higher resistant starch content (from 5.1 to 6.9 g /100 g dry matter), as well as lower starch hydrolysis index (HI) when compared to YM flour, with the "Rostrato Rosso" maize having the lowest HI (i.e., 61). Coherently, multivariate statistics following metabolomics showed the discrimination potential of anthocyanins' profile after cooking, characterising the "Rostrato Rosso" during in vitro digestion. These findings might be related to the modulation of enzyme activity by phenolic compounds during in vitro digestion. Therefore, the use of pigmented maize flours might help in the formulation of gluten-free foods with slowly digestible starches by exploiting the wide phenolic composition of these matrices.

Total starch in animal feeds and silages based on the chromatographic determination of glucose

Starch is an important nutrient in animal feed, and so its analysis is of considerable concern as it is one of the most relevant energy containing fractions. Method AOAC 996.11 was modified to exchange the enzymometric and colorimetric step full approach to a simpler HPLC amine-based column one. The method was optimized and validated for its application in animal feeds and silages. •We demonstrated that the method could be used for quality control for animal feeds and silages•We modified the final incubation time, the initial sample mass, the quantity of enzyme added and buffered, to pH 6.2, the medium to which α-amylase is added.•We applied a chromatographic analysis of the glucose that resulted from starch enzymatic hydrolysis, via a refractive index detector and amine-based chromatographic column.

Feeding a calf starter containing highly digestible corn may improve calf growth

New corn hybrids have been developed by Masters Choice (MC) that vary in energy density due to an altered starch structure that improves ruminal and intestinal starch digestibility. Twenty-nine (1 to 3 d old; 40.6 ± 1.72 kg) Holstein heifer and 2 Holstein bull calves (31 total) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 calf starters (CS) to measure growth performance of Holstein calves through 8 wk of age. Treatments were: 1) Control CS (CN): containing 40% conventional ground corn dry matter (DM) basis and 2) MC CS: containing 40% MC corn (DM basis). Calf starters were formulated to contain 24% crude protein (CP; DM basis) and were fed for ad libitum consumption as a pellet starting on d 1. The study was conducted from April 22 through August 1, 2013. Body weights and body measurements were collected weekly. All calves were fed a 28% CP, 18% fat accelerated milk replacer (all milk protein) twice daily in 2 equal feedings at the rate of 0.64 kg/d from 0 to 14 d, 0.96 kg/d from 15 to 42 d and fed once daily at 0.48 kg/d from d 42 to 49. Data were analyzed using mixed procedure of SAS version 9.4. Body weight gains (26.2 and 28.8 kg for CN and MC, respectively) were similar (P > 0.10) between treatments. No significant (P > 0.10) differences in frame growth parameters as measured by change in body length (8.1 and 7.8 cm), heart girth (12.1 and 12.9 cm), hip height (10.9 and 11.1 cm), and wither height (10.9 and 10.9 cm). Calves fed MC CS were similar (P > 0.10) in ADG compared to calves fed CN CS (0.46 and 0.51 kg/d). Calves fed MC CS tended to have greater (P < 0.10) feed efficiency then calves fed CN CS. Calves fed MC CS demonstrated greater (P < 0.05) total tract nutrient digestibility of several nutrients, which lead to the cost of gain being more economical for calves fed MC when corn is priced the same. The use of new corn hybrids has the potential to improve nutrient digestion and animal performance.