Effects of dried distillers grains inclusion in creep-feeding supplements on performance and digestion characteristics of suckling beef calves in tropical pastures

Context Creep feeding is an effective strategy for increasing weaning weight. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of dried distiller’s grains (DDG) supplementation in calves grazing tropical pastures. Aims To evaluate the effect of DDG inclusion in creep-feeding supplements on the performance and digestion characteristics of suckling beef calves on tropical pastures. Methods Thirty-seven Red Angus × Nellore male calves (162 ± 4 kg BW; 120 ± 30 days old) were used. Cow-calf pairs (n = 37) were randomly assigned into eight paddocks formed by Urochloa decumbens pastures. Animals were subjected to a 14-day adaptation period followed by a 108-day performance and digestibility period. Four treatments were evaluated: control (mineral premix), supplement without inclusion of DDG, or supplements including 375 g/kg or 750 g/kg DDG on a dry matter (DM) basis. Orthogonal contrasts were used to compare control and supplemented calves and to evaluate the linear and quadratic effects of DDG inclusion in the supplement. Key results Supplementation increased (P ≤ 0.01) voluntary intake, although it showed no effect (P ≥ 0.46) on neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (apNDF) or indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) intakes. Supplementation did not affect (P < 0.42) calves’ forage intake. The addition of DDG in the supplements tended to have a quadratic effect (P < 0.07) on the calves’ forage intake. Supplementation improved DM and crude protein (CP) digestibilities linearly (P ≤ 0.03). Additionally, adding DDG in the supplement decreased the dietary DOM linearly (P < 0.01). Supplementation enhanced (P < 0.01) average daily gain (ADG) when compared to control calves. Conversely, ADG decreased linearly as the DDG inclusion in the supplement increased (P ≤ 0.04). Conclusion Supplementing beef calves through a creep-feeding system enhances calf performance. Conversely, including 375 g or 750 g DDG/kg DM in supplements decreases digestion characteristics and performance of suckling beef calves in tropical pastures. Implications The present study reinforces the use of creep-feeding supplementation in suckling beef calves. However, the inclusion of DDG in creep-feeding supplements may not provide the expected benefits in tropical conditions.