35% Corn Wet Distiller’s Grains plus Solubles in Steam-flaked and Dry-rolled Corn Based Diets: Effects on Animal Performance

Fifty-four individually fed crossbred steers were fed dry-rolled corn (DRC) and steam-flaked corn (SFC) based diets with and without 35% wet distiller’s grains plus solubles (WDGS) derived from corn to determine impacts of corn processing method and WDGS inclusion on animal performance and carcass characteristics. No interactions were detected for corn processing method and WDGS inclusion (P ≥ 0.19). Steers fed SFC-based diets consumed less feed (P < 0.01) and were more efficiency (P < 0.01) compared to steer consuming DRC-based diets. Steers consuming diets containing 35% WDGS were more efficiency (P = 0.03) and produced carcasses with lower percent KPH fat (P = 0.02) and loins with smaller LM area (P < 0.01). Serial ultrasound measurements indicate cattle consuming diets with WDGS deposit intramuscular fat at a reduced rate late in the feeding period. These data indicate that WDGS have energy values similar to SFC, but may impact carcass characteristics.