Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2005

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Animal Science

Abstract

A two-year study was conducted at the South Dakota State University Southeast Research Farm in Beresford, SD, to determine the effects of feeding supplemental dried distillers grains with solubles (DOGS) on the performance of mid-gestation and non-gestating, non-lactating beef cows. Ninety beef cows were utilized each year of the experiment. Cows used in year 1 (Y 1) were mid-gestational (initial BW = 580.2 ± 4.59 kg; initial BCS = 4.7 ± 0.09), and cows used in year 2 (Y 2) were non gestating and nonlactating (initial BW = 551.8 ± 4.30 kg; initial BCS = 5.4 ± 0.10). Cows were allocated by weight and allotted to one of 15 pens (14.7 m x 34.7 m). Pens were then randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments. Dietary treatments consisted of ground cornstalks (CS), provided ad libitum, plus one of three supplements: 1) sunflower meal with soybean oil (SFM), 2) sunflower meal with soybean oil and dried distillers grains plus solubles (COMB), and 3) dried distillers grains plus solubles (DOGS). The supplements were formulated to be iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous but provided decreasing levels of degradable intake protein (DIP; 383.5, 308.6, 225.9 g/d in Y 1, 344.0, 282.0, 213.0 g/d in Y 2) for SFM, COMB, and DOGS, respectively). Cows remained on the treatment diets for 70 d. Weights were taken consecutively on d -1, 0, 69, and 70, and once on d 35. Body condition scores and ultrasound measurements of rib and rump fat were determined on d O and 70. Blood was drawn on d 0, 35 and 70 to determine plasma urea nitrogen. Final weights in Y 2 tended (P = 0.07) to be affected by treatment with COMB and DOGS cows having final weights greater than cows receiving SFM. Weight change in Y 1 tended (P = 0.06) to be different. Cows fed SFM gained more weight than cows fed either COMB or DOGS. Treatment had no effect on BCS or ultrasound fat depth at the 12th rib or rump. Pooled PUN values were greater (P < 0.01) for cows that received the SFM supplement than those cows that consumed the COMB and DOGS supplement. Apparent total tract digestibility was not influenced by a treatment by year interaction. Treatment had no effect on apparent total tract digestibility of DM, OM, and ADF. Digestibility of N tended to be greater in cows consuming COMB than cows consuming SFM (P = 0.08). Neutral detergent fiber digestibility was greater for cows consuming SFM than those consuming DOGS (P < 0.04). Supplementing DOGS as a sole protein source for cows consuming poor quality forage is a viable management alternative for producers.

Key Words: dried distillers grains, beef cows, forages, degradable intake protein, metabolizable protein.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Beef cattle -- Feeding and feeds
Distillers’ feeds
Proteins in animal nutrition

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

73

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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