Feeding Combinations of High Moisture Corn and Dry Corn to Finishing Cattle

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Abstract
Three trials were conducted to determine the effects of feeding ad libitum quantities of mixtures of high moisture corn (HMC) and dry corn to finishing steers. The HMC was ground and stored in a concrete bunker and covered with polyethylene plastic. In all trials, diets contained approximately 80% grain, 10% corn silage and 10% supplement. Treatments were different combinations of various corn grains. Sixty Hereford × Angus yearling steers (262 kg) were individually fed one of five combinations of HMC and dry whole corn (DWC) for 132 d. Steers fed HMC alone consumed less feed (P<.10) than steers fed DWC or mixtures of HMC and DWC. Steers fed a 50:50 combination of HMC:DWC gained faster (P<.10) and more efficiently (P<.05) than steers fed 75:25 or 25:75 combinations. In trial 2, 132 mixed crossbred yearling steers (361 kg) were penned and fed one of four combinations of HMC and DWC. Steers fed mixtures of HMC and DWC gained faster (P<.05) and more efficiently (P<.05) than steers fed 100% HMC or 100% DWC. During the first 24 d of the trial, as the proportion of DWC increased, daily gain (linear P<.01; quadratic P<.01) and gain/feed (quadratic P<.10) were affected. In trial 3, 160 mixed crossbred yearling steers (323 kg) were penned and fed one of four combinations of HMC and dry rolled sample grade corn. During the first 21 d of the trial, as the proportion of sample grade corn increased, daily feed (P<.05), daily gain (P<.01) and gain/feed (P<.05) increased. However after 108 d, daily gains were similar and gain/ feed (linear P<.01) was higher for HMC fed steers. Data are interpreted to mean that steers fed mixtures of HMC and DWC or sample grade corn gained faster and more efficiently duing the step-up period than steers fed one grain alone. The improvement in animal performance during the step-up period may improve animal performance throughout the entire trial. Copyright © 1987. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1987 by American Society of Animal Science.