While many producers rebut the evidence for whole corn consumption in cows, the researchers at the Ohio State University say the study shows that whole corn kernels are digested by nearly 92% of calves, both weanling and yearling. Interestingly, the cows were not implanted during the entire experiment, and were instead fed dry-rolled or cracked corn. It remains to be seen whether or not these results translate into better health for cows.
Cattle were not implanted during the whole experiment
The results of this experiment showed that cattle implanted with Compudose@ had heavier carcasses. The dressing percentage was higher for the implanted cattle and the rib eyes were larger than for control cattle. However, the only difference between the two groups was the dressing percentage. This result is not surprising because the cattle were not implanted for the entire experiment. According to Utley et al., this finding may be due to differences in the implant placement technique, not the treatment used.
The implants were not implanted during the whole experiment, only for the first three days. This was to determine if the implants would affect the animals’ growth. In the second stage, the cattle were not implanted for the whole experiment. After the first week, the cattle were swabbed with a brush soaked in a disinfectant solution. The implanted cattle were then euthanized and the remaining animals were slaughtered.
The aggressive implanting program reduced marbling scores in yearlings and calf-fed cattle. However, it did not affect the percentage of cattle in USDA Choice quality grade. It is unclear how much this reduced the marbling score during the whole experiment. However, the study concluded that it had a positive impact on production and morbidity costs. The results of the study suggest that implanting cattle may be a cost-effective way to improve cattle performance.
Cattle were fed dry-rolled corn
In the present study, 96 crossbred steers were randomly assigned to 16 pens. Each pen had a bunk space of 41 cm per head. Cattle were fed a diet that contained 77.1 % corn grain that was dry-rolled or steam-flakes. The feed was given to the cattle twice a day at 06:00 and 14:00 h, allowing 5% residual. Cattle were fed a diet consisting of three kinds of corn: steam-flakes, dry-rolled corn, and a control diet.
Researchers used the same feed to compare the effect of whole and dry-rolled corn on feedlot steers. Both types of feed increased the amount of starch that could be digested in the total tract. They also observed an increase in daily gain in steers. The findings also suggested that rolled corn may be superior to whole corn, but this was still a preliminary study. Cattle fed dry-rolled corn have comparable feed efficiency.
In addition to high-moisture ear corn and crack-rolled corn, cattle were also given a grain called cracked corn. Cracked corn and rolled corn are similar, but cracked corn has higher energy value. Cracked corn is processed by passing the grain through a roller mill, leaving larger particles behind. This process opens the seed coat, increasing the availability of energy to the animal. This corn product is also known as corn chops.
Cattle were fed cracked corn
A study conducted by Loerch in 1996 evaluated the effects of limited-feed diets on reproductive performance, calf weights, and grazing weights in cattle. Cattle were divided into groups by size and randomly assigned to either experimental or control treatments. Cattle were fed cracked or uncracked corn. Regardless of the treatment, cattle retained more energy and more protein than their control counterparts.
The Ohio study found that cracking corn increased rumination time, but the amount of starch absorbed by the animals was not affected. The study also found no significant difference in rumination rate across the three grain sources. Cattle consuming whole corn absorbed about 800 grams more starch than those eating cracked corn. Whole corn and cracked corn were similarly digested by cows, and their total gastrointestinal tract starch digestibility was 93%. This finding supports earlier research by Kansas that concluded that cracking corn did not increase cattle’s DMI.
Whole shelled corn is a safer alternative to finely processed grain. It is also easier for cattle’s tongue to pick up. Shelled corn has a longer starch release time, which is beneficial when reducing acidosis in herds. In addition, soy hulls have the same energy value as corn. Despite the extra cost, shelled corn is a superior choice for feed for cows.
