USE IN FORAGE-FED CATTLE
Feeding Value

Beef calves from weaning until they enter feedlots, developing heifers, and beef cows are fed primarily forage diets. Especially in the winter, forages are low in protein and phosphorus and need to be supplemented. Corn gluten feed contains highly digestible fiber and degradable protein, which are good sources of energy and protein for rumen microbes, especially in forage-based diets (DeHaan et al., 1983).Wet and dry CGF were compared to DRC for growing calves fed grass hay, wheat straw, and corn stalklage.The CGF or corn replaced 40% of the forage (Oliveros et al., 1987).The supplements nearly doubled gains and improved feed conversion (Table 13).Wet and dry CGF had better feed conversions than corn, and WCGF had better feed conversion than DCGF. The apparent feeding value of DCGF was 10% greater than corn, while WCGF was 31% higher than DCGF and 42% greater than corn in these forage-based diets.

Clearly, CGF feed is an excellent source of nutrients for forage-based diets. There is little to no starch in gluten feed, which results in no negative effect on fiber digestion. The DIP in CGF is an excellent source of protein for microbes. Protein in forages is highly degraded in the rumen. In certain forage situations, light-weight growing cattle may need to be supplemented with UIP to meet MP requirements. Distillers grains (wet or dry) are an excellent source of UIP and phosphorus.

Stocker calves, developing heifers and cows may need energy supplementation in addition to supplemental protein and phosphorus. It is advantageous if the same commodity can be used for supplemental energy as well as protein. Co-product feeds can be used to supply the energy needs of cattle in pasture and range situations. An additional advantage for DGS and CGF is that these feeds contain very little starch and therefore should not depress fiber digestion in some situations like corn.

For more information or to request additional copies of this manual, contact the Nebraska Corn Board at 1-800-632-6761 or e-mail k.brunkhorst@necorn.state.ne.us.

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For more information on the feeding of corn milling co-products to beef cattle
and information contained in this manual, contact:
Dr. Galen Erickson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Animal Science Room C220, Lincoln, NE 68583-0908, 402-472-6402

Date published: August, 2007