Impact of Full-Fat Wet Distillers Grains Inclusion in Steam-flaked Corn Based Finishing Diets

Summary with Implications Steam-flaked corn and distillers grains are common feed ingredients in finishing rations, but the interaction between the two is not well understood. A finishing trial at a commercial feedlot using 700 calf-fed heifers was conducted to evaluate cattle performance when fed 18 or 30% (dry matter basis) full-fat wet distillers grains plus solubles in steam-flaked corn based diets with 8% roughage (hay + corn silage). No effects on cattle performance were observed due to distillers grains inclusion in the diet. Final body weight, dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed conversion, and hot carcass weight were not statistically different between treatments when expressed on a carcass-adjusted basis. These data suggest flexibility of including 18 to 30% of the diet when using full-fat (13% fat) wet distillers grains plus solubles even in diets based on steam-flaked corn.