Effects of feeding dry-rolled corn or whole shelled corn on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and eating behavior of finishing Holstein steers
2021
Carvalho, P.H.V. | Felix, T.L.
The objective was to determine the effect of corn processing method on feedlot growth performance, carcass characteristics, estimated starch digestibility, and eating behavior of Holstein steers fed a corn-based diet.Seventy-nine Holstein steers (average initial BW = 451 ± 6 kg) were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatments: (1) whole shelled corn (WSC) or (2) dry-rolled corn (DRC). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC).No effect (P ≥ 0.55) of treatment on final BW was detected. No differences (P ≥ 0.18) in ADG, DMI, or G:F were detected. However, Holstein steers fed DRC had 28% less (P ≤ 0.01) fecal starch and an 8% greater (P ≤ 0.01) estimated total-tract starch digestibility when compared with those fed WSC. In addition, Holstein steers fed WSC ate 10% fewer (P < 0.01) meals that were 10% larger (P < 0.01) and took 17% longer (P < 0.01) to eat than those fed DRC. Corn processing method failed to significantly alter (P ≥ 0.19) hot carcass weight, DP, marbling, or QG of the carcass. However, steers fed WSC had a greater (P ≤ 0.01) LM area and less (P ≤ 0.05) s.c. fat thickness, calculated YG, and calculated empty body fat at slaughter.Despite the increased fecal starch and decreased estimated starch digestibility, feeding the WSC-based diet to finishing Holstein steers did not alter feedlot growth performance or hot carcass weight when compared with feeding the DRC-based diet. Therefore, feeding WSC may be an alternative for beef cattle producers who cannot afford to process corn for the diets of finishing animals.
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