Effects of 20% Corn Wet Distiller’s Grains plus Solubles in Steam-flaked and Dry-rolled Corn Based Diets

Two hundred sixty four yearling heifers (781 ± 35 lb) were blocked by weight in a 2X2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine effects of 20% corn wet distiller’s grains plus soluble (WDGS) on animal performance in steam-flaked corn (SFC) and dry-rolled corn (DRC) based finishing diets. No corn processing method by WDGS inclusion interactions were detected (P ≥ 0.29). Heifers consuming SFC-based diets had reduced DMI (P < 0.01), similar ADG (P ≥ 0.69), and improved feed:gain (P < 0.05) compared to heifers consuming DRC-based diets. Heifers consuming WDGS tended to have greater final BW (P = 0.10), ADG (P = 0.14), and reduced marbling scores (P = 0.18) compared to heifers consuming diets without WDGS. Nutrients in the manure harvested from pens of DRC based diets were greater than SFC based diets (P < 0.05). WDGS increased the quantity of DM, N, P, and K of harvested manure (P < 0.10). Corn processing method had a greater impact on animal performance than WDGS. While including WDGS tended to improve animal performance, manure management must be considered.