Feeding wet corn gluten feed to reduce subacute acidosis in cattle.

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) on subacute acidosis in cattle. In Exp. 1, 60 individually fed yearling steers (270 +/- 22 kg BW) were used in a 5 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Steers were assigned to one of five dietary treatments: 1) dry-rolled corn (DRC), 2) 35% WCGF fed d 1 to 132, 3) 86.5% WCGF fed d 1 reduced to 35% WCGF by d 19 and increasing the proportion of DRC, 4) 86.5% WCGF fed d 1 to 132, or 5) 94.5% WCGF fed d 1 to 132. Final diets for Treatments 1 through 4 contained 92% concentrate and 8% alfalfa hay (DM basis). Treatment 5 was a 100% concentrate diet. All diets were fed with or without the addition of escape protein. During d 19 to 24, steers fed WCGF had less (P < .05) DMI variation than steers fed the control diet. Steers fed 86.5 and 94.5% WCGF had lower (P < .05) DMI and ADG than steers fed TReatments 1 through 3, although gain/feed was mot different (P > .10) In Exp. 2, three ruminally fistulated steers (615 +/- 36 kg BW) were used in a repeated 3 x 3 Latin square design. On d 14 of each period, 7.9 kg (DM) of 100% DRC, 50% DRC:50% WCGF, of 100% WCGF was intraruminally dosed as an acidosis challenge. Area within the curve below ruminal pH 6.0 was greater (P < .05) over a 24-h period for steers dosed with 100% DRC than for steers dosed with 50% DRC: 50% WCGF or 100% WCGF. In addition, more (P < .05) ruminal VFA accumulated over 24 h for steers dosed with 100% DRC. These data suggest that feeding WCGF does nor eliminate ruminal acidosis but may reduce the length of time cattle are exposed to the insult.

Effect of energy source and escape protein on receiving and finishing performance and health of calves.

“…Additionally, daily gain was not affected ( P > .15) by protein supplement. Similarly, Krehbiel et al (1995) observed no response to supplemental escape protein in yearling steers fed diets including up to 94.5% WCGF. However, Trenkle (1993) observed improved gains in yearling cattle fed approximately equal portions of DRC and dry corn gluten feed when the diet was supplemented with a combination of urea and soybean meal, compared with urea alone.…”

Effect of wet corn gluten feed, supplemental protein, and tallow on steer finishing performance.

“…In a finishing trial, Krehbiel et al (1995) fed varying levels of WCGF to yearling Hereford steers with or without addition of escape protein. The addition of escape protein did not result in an increase in performance.…”

Wet corn gluten feed and alfalfa hay levels in dry-rolled corn finishing diets: Effects on finishing performance and feedlot nitrogen mass balance1

“…Presumably, high levels (i.e., >50% diet DM) of WCGF reduce dietary energy to an extent that overrides the beneficial effects of highly digestible fiber addition to finishing diets. Krehbiel et al (1995) and Sindt et al (2002) observed a reduction in ruminal VFA concentration and an increase in ruminal pH as WCGF replaced corn grain, indicative of reduced acidosis insult with WCGF inclu-sion. Few studies have evaluated reducing roughage levels in finishing diets containing WCGF.…”

“…This response is thought to occur as a result of WCGF decreasing rumen starch load and the incidence of ruminal acidosis (Krehbiel et al, 1995). Typically, roughages such as alfalfa hay (AH) are used to control acidosis in finishing diets, and an increase in DMI and ADG is often observed with a small amount (i.e., ≤10% diet DM) of roughage inclusion (Stock et al, 1990;Huffman et al, 1992;Shain et al, 1999).…”