Effects of dietary fat and crude protein on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in finishing steers fed differing levels of dried distillers grains with solubles

Effects of supplemental fat concentration on feeding logistics, animal performance, and nutrient losses of heifers fed finishing diets based on steam-flaked corn and sorghum-based distiller's grains

The use of distiller's grains (DG) in beef cattle finishing diets is a common practice. However, the effects of supplemental fat on performance and nutrient losses of cattle fed diets containing DG are not known. Therefore, we fed 398 crossbred yearling heifers (initial BW = 373.5 kg) for 106 d to determine the effects of dietary fat concentration and sorghum-based wet distiller's grains with solubles (SWDGS) on performance, carcass characteristics, and nutrient losses of finishing cattle. Treatments included two 92% concentrate, steam-flaked corn (SFC)-based diets with 0% or 3% added fat from yellow grease and 3 SFC-based diets with 15% SWDGS (DM basis) that contained either 0%, 1.5%, or 3% added fat (8 pens per treatment) in a randomized block design. Overall DMI and ADG were 5% to 6% greater (P < 0.01) for heifers fed 15% SWDGS than for those fed 0% SWDGS. Among heifers fed 15% SWDGS, DMI was greatest (P = 0.04; quadratic effect) and ADG tended (P = 0.12; quadratic effect) to be greatest for heifers fed 1.5% fat. The ADG:DMI did not differ between 0% SWDGS with 0% or 3% fat, and was not altered by replacing a portion of SFC with SWDGS (P > 0.36). However, ADG:DMI tended to increase as more fat was added to diets with 15% SWDGS (P = 0.06). Average hot carcass weight (HCW) was 5 kg greater (P = 0.05) when SWDGS was fed, but HCW tended to be greatest for heifers fed 15% SWDGS with 1.5% fat (P = 0.09, quadratic effect). Heifers fed 0% SWDGS with 0% fat tended to have a lower marbling score, less rib fat, lower average yield grade (P < 0.08), and more (P < 0.01) yield grade 1 carcasses than heifers fed 0% SWDGS with 3% fat. Averaged across fat levels, heifers fed 15% SWDGS had more rib fat and a higher yield grade (P < 0.03) than heifers fed 0% SWDGS. Feeding 15% SWDGS did not alter carcass quality grade distribution compared to feeding 0% SWDGS, but 15% SWDGS produced fewer yield grade 3 carcasses (P = 0.03) than 0% SWDGS. The calculated NEg of SWDGS (1.36 Mcal/kg) was 91% of the tabular value for dry rolled corn (1.50 Mcal/kg) and 84% of the tabular value for SFC (1.62 Mcal/kg). Nitrogen intake, and N excretion were greater (P < 0.05) in heifers fed 15% SWDGS than in heifers fed the 0% SWDGS diets, but N loss as a % of N intake was less (P < 0.05). Our results suggest adding 1.5% fat to diets containing 15% SWDGS may improve beef cattle performance; however, feeding logistics need to be considered when pricing wet DG.

Effect of dried distiller's grains plus solubles in postpartum diets of beef cows on reproductive performance of dam and heifer progeny

Forty-eight primiparous and multiparous cows were fed a silage-based total mixed ration (TMR; CON), a TMR with 2.5 kg/d DM dried distiller's grains plus solubles (DDGS; MID), or a TMR with 4.7 kg/d DM DDGS (HIGH) from 8.5 ± 4 to 116 ± 4 d postpartum (DPP). All diets were formulated to be isocaloric for a postpartum ADG targeted at 0.22 kg, whereas CP exceeded requirements in both diets containing DDGS. Blood samples were collected from dams at 7- and 21-d intervals for progesterone concentration (resumption of cyclicity) and plasma urea nitrogen, respectively. A weigh-suckle-weigh procedure was used to measure milk production, and samples were collected for milk composition and fatty acid profile. A 5-d Co-Synch + controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol was used, and cows were bred (97 ± 4 DPP) by timed AI (TAI). Ultrasonography was used for measurement of the largest antral follicle at TAI and pregnancy diagnosis. Nineteen days after TAI, cow and calf pairs were managed as a single group until weaning and exposed to natural mating for a total of a 60-d breeding season. Starting at weaning, blood samples were collected from heifer offspring at 7-d intervals for progesterone concentration used as an indicator of puberty. A 5-d Co-Synch + CIDR protocol was used, and heifers were bred by TAI. Transrectal ultrasonography was used for measurement of the largest antral follicle at TAI and antral follicle count (AFC) at CIDR device insertion as well as pregnancy diagnosis. There were no differences in dam ADG ( = 0.364); however, DMI decreased with increasing DDGS ( < 0.0001), resulting in an increased feed efficiency ( = 0.042). Milk fat and lactose tended to increase with the addition of DDGS in the diet ( ≤ 0.055), and milk urea nitrogen increased ( < 0.001). There were no differences in resumption of cyclicity ( = 1.00) or diameter of the largest antral follicle ( ≥ 0.372). Timed AI pregnancy rates were not different with the addition of DDGS in the diet ( ≥ 0.174). Heifer ADG was reduced with DDGS during late lactation ( = 0.031). Heifer AFC had a tendency to increase with increasing DDGS ( = 0.081), with no impacts on dominant follicle diameter at TAI ( = 0.161). Heifer TAI pregnancy rate also was not different among treatments ( = 0.508). Overall, feeding 4.7 kg/d DM of DDGS to dams during early lactation increases feed efficiency of the dam, with minor statistically significant effects on dam or heifer offspring reproduction.

Feeding corn distillers grains as an energy source to gestating and lactating beef heifers: Impact of excess protein on feedlot performance, glucose tolerance, carcass characteristics and Longissimus muscle fatty acid profile of steer progeny

This study was conducted to determine the impact of dried distiller's grain with solubles (DDGS) from 192 days of gestation through 118 days of lactation on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, Longissimus muscle (LM) fatty acids and glucose tolerance of male progeny (n = 36). Angus-Simmental heifer dams were fed diets that contained either DDGS (DG) or not (CON) formulated to provide similar daily net energy for gain but differing crude protein. In the feedlot, male progeny were fed a diet devoid of DDGS. An intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was performed on a subset of 20 steers prior to harvest. Steers were harvested at a common 12th rib fat depth. Data were analyzed with the GLIMMIX and MIXED procedures of SAS. Performance (P ≥ 0.11) and glucose and insulin concentrations during IVGTT (P ≥ 0.24) did not differ between treatments. Dressing percentage tended to be greater (P = 0.09) in DG than CON progeny, but all other carcass characteristics did not differ (P ≥ 0.18). Progeny from DG dams had greater LM 16:2, 18:0, and 20:1 n-9 concentrations than progeny from CON dams (P ≤ 0.02). In conclusion, DDGS are a viable option for gestating and lactating beef cows.

Effects of increasing inclusion of sodium hydroxide treatment on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and feeding behavior of steers fed 50% DDGS

Objectives were to determine the dietary inclusion level of NaOH in a dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS)-based diet needed to improve growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers, and to determine the effects of NaOH treatment of DDGS on pattern of feed intake. Based on previous research regarding the acidity of DDGS, we hypothesized that using NaOH in cattle fed 50% DDGS-based diets to neutralize the acidity inherent in DDGS would improve growth performance of cattle but shift intake patterns. Angus-cross steers (120 total) were blocked into 2 BW blocks (light, initial BW = 211 ± 27 kg; and heavy, initial BW = 261 ± 27 kg) and allotted randomly within block to 20 pens (6 steers per pen; = 30). Pens within block were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: 1) 50% DDGS, untreated; 2) 50% DDGS, treated with 0.5% NaOH (DM basis); 3) 50% DDGS, treated with 1.0% NaOH (DM basis); or 4) 50% DDGS, treated with 1.5% NaOH (DM basis). The remainder of the diets contained 20% dry-rolled corn, 20% corn silage, and 10% mineral and vitamin supplement, on a DM basis. Cattle were fed in a GrowSafe system. There were no effects ( ≥ 0.21) of increasing NaOH inclusion on final BW, ADG, or G:F. Increasing NaOH in the diet increased meal duration (linear; = 0.02) and tended to increase meal size (linear; = 0.06), but did not affect overall number of meals per day (linear; = 0.21) or overall DMI ( ≥ 0.40) for the course of the trial. Relative to cattle fed DDGS treated with 0, 0.5 or 1% NaOH (DM basis), steers fed DDGS treated with 1.5% NaOH consumed a larger proportion of their meals in the afternoon. However, regardless of treatment, all steers consumed 78% or more of their feed in the first 12 h post-feeding. There were no effects ( ≥ 0.19) of increasing NaOH inclusion on HCW, LM area, dressing percentage, KPH, back fat thickness, and marbling. There was a linear ( = 0.02) decrease in USDA Yield Grade (YG) 3 and a tendency ( = 0.09) for a quadratic response in carcasses grading USDA YG 4 as NaOH concentration increased in the diets; however, there were no other YG differences. The quality grade response followed marbling score and was not different ( ≥ 0.11) among treatments. Thus, there were no effects of feeding DDGS treated with NaOH on growing cattle performance or carcass characteristics. However, NaOH inclusion shifted the pattern of intake slightly to the afternoon hours, and increased meal duration without increasing the total number of meals per day.

Effect of ferric ammonium citrate in feedlot diets with varying dried distillers' grains inclusion on ruminal hydrogen sulfide concentrations and steer growth

Angus-cross steers ( = 128) were used to examine the effects of supplementing ferric ammonium citrate (FAC; 300 mg ferric Fe/kg DM) to diets of 20, 40, or 60% dried distillers' grains plus solubles (DDGS) on growth performance, liver mineral and ruminal hydrogen sulfide (HS) concentrations, and carcass traits of finishing steers. Steers were blocked by initial BW (436 ± 10.6 kg) into pens of 4 and randomly assigned to 1 of 6 treatments ( = 5 or 6 pens per treatment) including a 20, 40, or 60% DDGS inclusion diet with (+) or without (-) 300 mg Fe/kg DM from FAC. Liver biopsies (d -9/-10 and 96) and HS measures (d 0, 7, 14, 21, and 95) were determined from 1 steer/pen. Steers were harvested on d 102 and carcass data were collected. A treatment × month effect ( ≤ 0.006) was noted for ADG and G:F, in which the 20-FAC ADG and feed efficiency were greater ( ≤ 0.02) between d 0 to 28 but lesser ( ≤ 0.04) from d 29 to 56 than that of the 20+FAC steers. Final BW linearly decreased ( < 0.01) as DDGS inclusion increased. Final BW tended to be greater ( = 0.10) in the 60+FAC steers than in the 60-FAC steers, whereas final BW was not different ( ≥ 0.32) due to FAC supplementation in the 20 or 40% DDGS diets. A quadratic effect was noted for DMI ( = 0.02), where 60% DDGS decreased DMI. Within the 20% DDGS diet FAC+ improved DMI ( = 0.03) but had no effect within 40 or 60% DDGS inclusion. Ruminal HS concentrations were not affected ( ≥ 0.25) by FAC, but increasing DDGS linearly increased ( < 0.01) ruminal HS values. Liver Cu was decreased ( < 0.01) by FAC across all DDGS inclusions and tended to linearly decrease ( = 0.06) with increasing DDGS inclusion, whereas liver Fe, Mn, and Zn were not altered ( ≥ 0.11) by DDGS inclusion. Liver Zn concentrations tended to be ( = 0.08) or were ( = 0.03) decreased by FAC supplementation within 20 and 40% DDGS, respectively. Increasing the inclusion of DDGS linearly decreased ( = 0.04) HCW and quadratically affected marbling score where the 40% DDGS had the greatest ( = 0.02) marbling scores. Supplementation of FAC within 60% DDGS improved ( ≤ 0.03) HCW and LM area. Marbling scores were greater ( ≤ 0.04) in 20+FAC and 40+FAC compared with 20-FAC and 40-FAC, respectively. In conclusion, although ruminal HS concentrations were not affected by FAC under the conditions of this study, supplementing FAC to diets containing 60% DDGS improved HCW and LM area, suggesting that FAC may be beneficial when dietary S concentrations exceed 0.5%.

Feeding distiller’s grains as an energy source to gestating and lactating beef heifers: Impact on female progeny growth, puberty attainment, and reproductive processes

This study compared postweaning growth, puberty attainment, and reproductive processes of female progeny (n = 33) born to Angus-Simmental beef heifers treated with either a control diet or a diet in which dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) were fed as an energy source during late gestation and early lactation. From 192 d of gestation through 118 ± 4 d in lactation, dams were fed either a corn silage–based control diet (CON) orcorn residue with DDGS, where DDGS were supplemented as an energy source (DG). Diets were formulated to provide similar daily NEg between diets, but CP requirements were drastically exceeded in the DG treatment. Heifer progeny (n = 33) were weaned, commingled at 191 ± 4 d of age, and similarly managed for the remainder of the project. Heifer BW and blood samples for progesterone assessment to determine onset of puberty were collected weekly beginning at weaning. At 255 ± 4 d of age, a single follicular wave was mapped via ultrasonography in 10 prepubertal heifers per treatment. Prepubertal antral follicle count and ovarian size were determined at 253 ± 4 d of age. Hip height was recorded at 213,297, and 437 ± 4 d of age. Estrous synchronization and AI was initiated at 447 ± 4 d of age. Binary data were analyzed with the GLIMMIX procedures of SAS and all other data were analyzed with the MIXED procedures of SAS. Progeny from DG-treated dams tended to be heavier (P = 0.08) than progeny from CON-treated dams from weaning until breeding. In addition, DG progeny had a greater (P < 0.01) frame score than CON throughout the developmental period. Ovarian size, antral follicle count, and follicular growth parameters did not differ between treatments. Age at puberty did not differ between CON (303 ± 10 d) and DG (320 ± 10 d) progeny; however, BW at puberty was greater (P = 0.01) for DG (326 ± 7 kg) than CON (298 ± 8 kg) progeny. Pregnancy rates to AI were greater (P = 0.05) in DG progeny (70.6%) than CON (33.3%), but overall breeding season pregnancy rate did not differ (P = 0.97). Moreover, rate of dystocia in female progeny at first parturition and grand-offspring birth BW did not differ due to treatment (P ≥ 0.74). In summary, feeding DDGS as an energy source during late gestation and early lactation to first-parity heifers resulted in female progeny with greater skeletal growth that were heavier at onset of puberty and had increased AI pregnancy rates.

Effects of Replacing Dry-rolled Corn with Increasing Levels of Corn Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles on Characteristics of Digestion, Microbial Protein Synthesis and Digestible Energy of Diet in Hair Lambs Fed High-concentrate Diets

Four male lambs (Katahdin; average live weight 25.9±2.9 kg) with “T” type cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a 4×4 Latin square experiment to evaluate the influence of supplemental dry distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) levels (0, 10, 20 and 30%, dry matter basis) in substitution for dry-rolled (DR) corn on characteristics of digestive function and digestible energy (DE) of diet. Treatments did not influence ruminal pH. Substitution of DR corn with DDGS increased ruminal neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestion (quadratic effect, p<0.01), but decreased ruminal organic matter (OM) digestion (linear effect, p<0.01). Replacing corn with DDGS increased (linear, p≤0.02) duodenal flow of lipids, NDF and feed N. But there were no treatment effects on flow to the small intestine of microbial nitrogen (MN) or microbial N efficiency. The estimated UIP value of DDGS was 44%. Postruminal digestion of OM, starch, lipids and nitrogen (N) were not affected by treatments. Total tract digestion of N increased (linear, p = 0.04) as the DDGS level increased, but DDGS substitution tended to decrease total tract digestion of OM (p = 0.06) and digestion of gross energy (p = 0.08). However, it did not affect the dietary digestible energy (DE, MJ/kg), reflecting the greater gross energy content of DDGS versus DR corn in the replacements. The comparative DE value of DDGS may be considered similar to the DE value of the DR corn it replaced up to 30% in the finishing diets fed to lambs.

Effects of wet corn distillers grains with solubles on visceral organ mass, trace mineral status, and polioencephalomalacia biomarkers of individually-fed cattle

Twenty-four steers (initial BW = 385 ± 1.1 kg) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments (0, 30, or 60% wet distillers grains with solubles [WDGS]; DM basis) and were fed individually to determine the effect of WDGS on live growth and carcass performance, visceral organ mass, trace mineral status, and polioencephalomalacia biomarkers. Steers were slaughtered at 125, 150, 164, and 192 d (2 blocks/slaughter date) when external fat depth was approximately 1.3 cm based on visual appraisal. Steers fed 30% WDGS had greater DMI than those fed 0 or 60% WDGS (P < 0.05), and steers fed 60% WDGS had the lowest carcass-adjusted ADG (P < 0.09) of the 3 treatments. Nonetheless, WDGS concentration did not alter feed efficiency (P > 0.41) on either live or carcass-adjusted basis. Steers fed 30% WDGS had greater liver S and Mn concentrations (DM basis) and lower liver Fe concentrations than control steers (P < 0.10; initial values used as a covariate), and feeding 60% WDGS decreased liver Cu and increased liver Fe (P < 0.10) compared with feeding 30% WDGS. Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity in brain tissue tended to be decreased with 60 vs. 30% WDGS (P = 0.12), and COX activity decreased linearly (P = 0.06) in lung tissue as dietary WDGS concentration increased. Likewise, gut fill linearly increased (P = 0.01) with increasing WDGS concentration. Feeding 30% WDGS increased fractional mass (g/kg of empty BW) of the small intestine (P < 0.10) compared with controls, whereas 60% WDGS increased fractional kidney mass (P < 0.10) compared with 30% WDGS. Overall, results suggest that gut fill, Cu status, and COX activity seem to be compromised by WDGS when fed at 60% of diet DM in diets based on steam-flaked corn, which suggests a greater susceptibility to polioencephalomalacia.

Effect of calcium oxide inclusion in beef feedlot diets containing 60% dried distillers grains with solubles on ruminal fermentation, diet digestibility, performance, and carcass characteristics

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of increasing dietary CaO on ruminal fermentation, diet digestibility, performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers fed 60% dried distillers grains with solubles ( DDGS: ). In Exp. 1, 120 steers were allotted by weight (355 ± 7.9 kg) to 1 of 4 treatments containing 60% DDGS, 20% corn silage, 13.5 to 14.4% ground corn, 4% supplement, and 0 to 2.5% limestone on DM basis to determine the effects of CaO on performance and carcass characteristics. Treatments consisted of 0, 0.8, 1.6, or 2.4% CaO inclusion in the diet (DM basis), with CaO replacing limestone. Steers were slaughtered at a target BW of approximately 641 kg. In Exp. 2, 4 steers (initial BW = 288 ± 3 kg) were randomly allotted to the same diets in a 4 × 4 Latin square design (14-d periods) to determine the effects of CaO on ruminal pH, VFA, and nutrient digestibility. Statistical analyses were conducted using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Inclusion of CaO at 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4% increased ADG by 5.0, 3.9, and 0%, respectively, compared to 0% CaO (quadratic; P = 0.03). Intake was linearly decreased (P = 0.04) and G:F was linearly increased (P = 0.02) by CaO inclusion. Dressing percentage increased as CaO increased from 0 to 1.6% and then decreased for 2.4% CaO (quadratic; P < 0.01). In Exp. 2, steers fed 0% CaO had the greatest prefeeding ruminal pH, steers fed 0 and 0.8% CaO exhibited the most rapid postfeeding decline in ruminal pH, and steers fed 2.4% CaO exhibited a relatively stable ruminal pH throughout the 24-h period (treatment × time; P ≤ 0.01). Acetate, butyrate, and total VFA concentrations increased linearly (P ≤ 0.05) at 0, 3, 6, and 12 h postfeeding with increasing CaO. Propionate at 3 h postfeeding increased from 0 to 1.6% CaO and decreased from 1.6 to 2.4% CaO (quadratic; P = 0.10). Urine pH increased linearly (P ≤ 0.01) while urine output and urine ammonia decreased linearly (P ≤ 0.05) as CaO inclusion increased. Apparent NDF digestibility tended to increase (P = 0.07) and ADF digestibility did (P = 0.01) increase linearly with increasing concentrations of CaO. In conclusion, CaO improved ruminal pH variation, increased fiber digestibility, and decreased metabolic acid load in cattle fed 60% DDGS-based diets. Inclusion of CaO up to 1.6% was effective in improving performance of feedlot cattle.

Effects of using ground redberry juniper and dried distillers grains with solubles in lamb feedlot diets: growth, blood serum, fecal, and wool characteristics

Effects of using ground redberry juniper and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in Rambouillet lamb (n = 45) feedlot diets on growth, blood serum, fecal, and wool characteristics were evaluated. In a randomized design study with 2 feeding periods (Period 1 = 64% concentrate diet, 35 d; Period 2 = 85% concentrate diet, 56 d), lambs were individually fed 5 isonitrogenous diets: a control diet (CNTL) that contained oat hay but not DDGS or juniper or DDGS-based diets in which 0 (0JUN), 33 (33JUN), 66 (66JUN), or 100% (100JUN) of the oat hay was replaced by juniper. During Period 1, lambs fed CNTL had greater (P < 0.05) DMI and ADG and tended to have greater (P < 0.10) G:F than lambs fed 0JUN or lambs fed DDGS-based diets. Lamb DMI, ADG, and G:F quadratically increased (P < 0.008) as juniper increased in the DDGS-based diets. During Period 2, lambs fed CNTL had greater (P < 0.05) DMI than lambs fed 0JUN or lambs fed DDGS-based diets, but ADG was similar (P > 0.41). Compared to 0JUN, lambs fed CNTL had similar (P = 0.12) G:F and tended to have less G:F (P = 0.07) than lambs fed DDGS-based diets. Among lambs fed DDGS-based diets, DMI was similar (P > 0.19), ADG increased linearly (P = 0.03), and G:F tended to decrease quadratically (P = 0.06) as juniper increased in the diet. Serum IGF-1, serum urea N (SUN), and fecal N were greater (P < 0.05) and serum Ca and P and fecal P were similar (P > 0.13) for lambs fed CNTL vs. lambs fed DDGS-based diets (CNTL). Within lambs fed DDGS-based diets, SUN increased quadratically (P = 0.01) and fecal N increased linearly (P = 0.004), which can partially be attributed to increased dietary urea and condensed tannin intake. Most wool characteristics were not affected, but wool growth per kilogram of BW decreased quadratically (P = 0.04) as percentage of juniper increased in the DDGS-based diets. When evaluating the entire 91-d feeding trial, results indicated that replacing all of the ground oat hay with ground juniper leaves and stems in lamb growing and finishing diets is not detrimental to animal performance and that DDGS-based diets can reduce total feedlot costs, as compared to sorghum grain and cottonseed meal-based diets. However, compared to using juniper or oat hay as the sole roughage source, using both during the growing period (Period 1) enhanced growth performance and further reduced total feedlot costs.

Effects of 35% corn wet distillers grains plus solubles in steam-flaked and dry-rolled corn-based finishing diets on animal performance, carcass characteristics, beef fatty acid composition, and sensory attributes

Fifty-four individually-fed Hereford-Angus cross steers (initial BW = 308 ± 9 kg) were used in an unbalanced randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement to determine effects of corn processing method and corn wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) inclusion in finishing diets on animal performance, carcass and beef characteristics, and sensory attributes. Dietary treatments included steam-flaked corn- (SFC) and dry-rolled corn (DRC)-based finishing diets containing 0 or 35% WDGS (DM basis; 0SFC and 35SFC, 0DRC and 35DRC, respectively). Yellow grease was used to equilibrate fat content of diets. Steers were fed 174 d, and were harvested on a single date when the mean ultrasound fat thickness was estimated to be 1.30 cm. No interactions between corn processing and WDGS were observed for performance or carcass characteristics (P ≥ 0.11). Final BW (556 ± 14 kg) and ADG (1.43 ± 0.06 kg) were not affected (P ≥ 0.25) by dietary treatment. Steers fed SFC-based diets consumed less feed, and were 10.6% more efficient (P < 0.01) than those fed DRC-based diets. Including WDGS in finishing diets improved feed efficiency of steers consuming both SFC- and DRC-based diets (P ≤ 0.04). Dietary treatment did not affect HCW, dressing percentage, fat thickness, or yield grade (P ≥ 0.27). Including WDGS in finishing diets decreased the concentration of 16:1cis-9, 18:1cis-9, and 18:1cis-11 fatty acids, and tended (P ≤ 0.10) to increase total fat concentration of steaks compared with diets without WDGS. A corn processing method by WDGS interaction was detected for 18:1trans-11 where steaks from 0DRC diets had decreased concentrations compared with other diets. There were no dietary effects on palatability attributes (P > 0.20). Livery-organy aromatics (P = 0.03) and sweet basic tastes (P = 0.01) in steaks from the 35SFC treatment were more intense than in other treatments, but were barely detectable. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances tended to be greater in steaks from steers fed WDGS after 5 d of storage (P = 0.10), and were greater after 7 d. (P < 0.01). Inclusion of WDGS used in this experiment improved G:F with minimal impacts on carcass characteristics. Both WDGS inclusion and corn processing method impacted fatty acid composition. However, diet had minimal impacts on palatability attributes. When compared with diets fat-equilibrated with yellow grease, the primary concern with incorporating WDGS appears to be decreased shelf-life after 5 d of storage.

Triticale dried distillers' grain increases alpha-linolenic acid in subcutaneous fat of beef cattle fed oilseeds

This study investigated the effect of triticale dried distillers' grain with solubles (DDGS), flax (FS) and sunflower (SS) seed on growth and the fatty acid profile of subcutaneous (SQ) fat in individually housed steers (n = 15 per diet) fed ad libitum (DM basis); (1) control (CON) 90% barley grain + 10% barley silage; or substitution of barley grain for: (2) 30% DDGS; (3) 10% FS; (4) 30% DDGS + 8.5% FS; (5) 10% SS and (6) 30% DDGS + 8.5% SS. Oilseeds in the combination diets were reduced to maintain diet lipid levels below 9% DM and to determine if favorable changes in the fatty acid profile could be maintained or enhanced at reduced levels of oilseed. Plasma and SQ fat biopsies were collected at 0, 6, and 12 weeks. Inclusion of DDGS decreased (P < 0.05) average daily gain, feed conversion and backfat thickness. Feeding FS increased (P < 0.05) plasma ALA compared to CON and SS and consistently increased (P < 0.01) ALA and non-conjugated and non-methylene interrupted dienes (NCD), whereas SS tended to decrease ALA in fat. Inclusion of DDGS with FS further increased (P < 0.02) ALA and decreased (P < 0.05) NCD and 18:1-t10 in fat. The fact that the levels of n-3 fatty acids in SQ fat from steers fed DDGS + FS were higher than those obtained with FS alone, has obvious benefits to the practical cost of favorably manipulating fatty acid profiles in beef.

Effects of feeding dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on meat quality at the late stage of the fattening period of Holstein steers

Feeding dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) during the late stage of the fattening period of Holstein steers was studied in regard to the influence on meat quality. Sixteen Holstein steers approximately 18 months old were used in this study. Eight animals were fed commercial concentrated feed for the entire fattening period. The other eight animals were fed 15% DDGS in the concentrated feed for 3 months before slaughtering. The moisture, ether extract and crude protein from both groups was approximately the same. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBA) value of storage for 7 days at 5°C from the animals fed DDGS showed a tendency to be lower (P = 0.059). The change in the TBA value during storage was also lower for the animals not fed DDGS (P < 0.05). There were no differences in the subcutaneous fat color between the two groups. The a*(measure of redness) and b*(measure of yellowness) of the M. longissimus from the animals fed DDGS showed a tendency to be lower (P = 0.051, 0.070). The fatty acid composition of the M. longissimus, subcutaneous and perirenal fat were not widely influenced by the feeding of DDGS. It is suggested that feeding 15% DDGS during the late stage of the fattening period for Holstein steers reduced the oxidation of the beef.