Efficacy of plastic pot scrubbers as a replacement for roughage in high-concentrate cattle diets

Effects of plastic pot scrubbers on feedlot performance and ruminal metabolism of steers fed all-concentrate diets were determined. In Trial 1, 31 crossbred steers (mean initial BW, 290 kg) were penned and fed individually. Treatments were 1) 85% concentrate-15% corn silage diet, 2) 100% concentrate diet, and 3) 100% concentrate diet + ruminal insertion of eight plastic pot scrubbers per steer. During the first 112 d of the trial, steer ADG did not differ (P > .10) due to treatment. From d 113 to 152, steers provided with pot scrubbers had 16% greater ADG than those fed the 100% concentrate diet without pot scrubbers (P =.18). In Trial 2, 78 crossbred steers (mean initial BW, 315 kg) were penned individually and fed the diets used in Trial 1. Steers fed the 100% concentrate diet received zero, four or eight pot scrubbers. From d 113 to 167, steers provided with four or eight pot scrubbers or fed the 85% concentrate diet had greater (P < .10) gains than steers fed the 100% concentrate diet without pot scrubbers. In Trial 3, 120 steers (mean initial BW, 286 kg) were grouped in 12 pens and limited-fed an all-concentrate diet for 84 d. Sixty steers were provided with six pot scrubbers each. Performance was not affected (P > .10) by the use of pot scrubbers during the 84-d growing phase. During the subsequent 84-d finishing phase, half the steers receiving each treatment were switched to either an 85% concentrate--15% corn silage or an 100% concentrate diet offered for ad libitum consumption. A pot scrubber X concentrate level interaction existed for ADG; pot scrubbers increased ADG of steers fed the 100% concentrate diet and decreased ADG of those fed the 85% concentrate diet. In a metabolism trial, 0, 4, 8, or 12 pot scrubbers did not affect (P > .10) ruminal measurements. It was concluded diet pot scrubbers increased ADG of steers fed a 100% concentrate diet for prolonged periods, resulting in gains similar to those of steers fed an 85% concentrate-15% corn silage diet.