Evaluation of performance of beef stocker cattle when fed distillers grains daily in feed bunks or distillers grains in self-feeding tubs

Objective

The objective was to evaluate supplement intake, cattle performance, and cost of gain when dried distillers grains (DDGS) was provided daily in a bunk or through a DDGS-based self-feeding tub.

Materials and Methods

Over 2 yr, 250 crossbred steers (240 kg; SD = 12) grazed corn residue for an aver- age of 67.5 d to compare the use of commercially available self-feeding tubs (SFT) containing DDGS to daily-provid- ed dried distillers grains in a meal form (DDGS-M). In both years, an irrigated corn residue field was divided into 8 paddocks, with 4 replications receiving DDGS-M and 4 having continuous access to SFT (n = 8 replications/ treatment over 2 yr). The DDGS-M was provided daily in a bunk at 1.34 kg of DM/head per day, whereas steers provided SFT were given continuous access. Supplement intake, efficiency, calf ADG, ending weight, supplement cost, and net return were analyzed and considered signifi- cant at P < 0.05.

Results and Discussion

Ending BW and ADG were greater (P < 0.01) for DDGS-M (276 kg; 0.62 kg/d) than for SFT (263 kg; 0.38 kg/d). Supplement intake (DM ba- sis) was also greater (P < 0.01) for DDGS-M (1.34 kg/d) than for SFT (0.92 kg/d). Supplement efficiency (ADG/ supplement intake, DM basis × 100) was not different (P = 0.49) for DDGS-M (46.3%) and SFT (42.9%). The DDGS-M was priced at 120% of corn when corn was $4.00, $5.50, or $7.00/25.4 kg. The SFT was held constant at $80 for a 113-kg tub. The cost to supply supplement at experimental intake rates was greater (P ≤ 0.02; $55.89) for SFT than for DDGS-M in all scenarios ($22.69, $30.15, $37.61, respectively). Net return was greater (P < 0.01) for DDGS-M at all scenarios ($79.39, $71.93, $64.47, re- spectively) compared with SFT ($8.90).

Implications and Applications

Supplementing DDGS daily in a granular meal form resulted in greater DMI of supplement, final BW, ADG, and net return in steers grazing cornstalk residue than allowing access to a self-feeding DDGS-based tub. However, the size of the op- eration, available labor, commodity storage facilities, and handling equipment may factor into the decision to feed DDGS in either bulk commodity form or in a convenience- packaged product such as a self-feeding tub.