96 Effect of 30% wet brewer’s grain inclusion on the growth and carcass performance of finishing cattle

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of wet brewer’s grain (WBG) inclusion on the growth and carcass performance of finishing cattle. Forty-eight (n = 48; 30 steers [414 kg] and 18 heifers [373 kg]) Simmental-Angus beef calves were finished at the Illinois State University Farm. Calves were blocked by weight within sex, randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments, and fed for 119 or 154 days in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Dietary treatments included a corn silage-whole shelled corn finishing diet (CON) and CON + 30% WBG for the first half of the finishing period (WB). Diets were mixed daily and feed was offered once daily. Daily feed offered was adjusted based on biweekly bunk scores and feed refusal data collected every 7 d. Two-day weights were taken every 28 days, averaged, and used to calculate Average Daily Gain (ADG), Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFD), and Gain to Feed (G:F). Cattle were visually appraised for degree of finish by an industry procurement agent, and transported 159km in two groups (119 and 154 days on feed (DOF); average final body weight of 620kg) for processing under USDA-FSIS inspection. Following slaughter, standard USDA carcass data (quality and yield grade) were collected. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing the MIXED procedure of SAS. Feeding WBG improved final live weight ( P = 0.008), ADG ( P = 0.039), and G:F ( P = 0.005) regardless of days on feed. Following WBG inclusion, hot carcass weight increased at 154 DOF ( P = 0.0071). Dressing percentage, ribeye area, 12 ^th Rib Fat thickness, marbling score, and yield grade were not significantly impacted by treatment ( P > 0.05). In this study, early inclusion of WBG supported growth and carcass performance; however, additional research examining performance differences based on DOF is warranted.