Date of Award

12-1-2010

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Animal Science

First Advisor

Atkinson, Rebecca

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of 70% (DM) inclusion of dried distillers' grain with solubles (DDGS) on performance and meat quality. Ninety-six Angus steers (276 kg ± 7.5 kg initial BW) were used in an completely randomized design with incomplete replication. Steers were stratified by BW to pens and pens were randomly assigned to one of 6 treatments: 1) 80% corn; 5% soybean meal; 15% corn silage, fed as a negative control (CON); 2) 40% DDGS: 45% corn: 15% corn silage, fed as a positive control (PCON); 3) steers received PCON (0-84d) then switched to a diet of 70% DDGS: 15% corn: 15% corn silage until finished (40/70); 4) steers started on 70% DDGS: 15% corn: 15% corn silage (0-84d) then switched to PCON until finished (70/40); 5) CON + soybean meal, isonitrogenous to PCON (N40); 6) CON + corn oil, isocaloric to PCON (E40). Steers were fed respective treatments until 80% of them reached low choice or higher by visual appraisal, providing their genetics allowed (168 and 213 days). Dry matter intake, DMI, (P &ge 0.82) was not affected by treatment, isocaloric, or isonitrogenous diets. End weight was greater (P = 0.04) for PCON steers compared to N40 steers. However, no treatment effect (P &ge 0.15) on G:F. Dietary treatment did not affect HCW, quality grade, %KPH, or liver score (P &ge 0.12). Yield grade was not affected (P = 0.12) by treatment but tended to be lower (P = 0.06) for N40 steers compared to PCON steers. However, N40 steers had a larger (P = 0.04) ribeye area and greater rib fat (P = 0.05) when compared to PCON and ribeye tended (P = 0.06) to be smaller in 70/40 and E40 steers compared to all other treatments. Minotola color, % cook loss, shear force, total SFA, total PUFA, total MUFA or lipogenic activity were not affected (P &ge 0.08) by treatment. The data of this study suggests that it is possible to feed 70% DDGS in feedlot rations with little to no adverse effects on growth performance or meat quality.

Share

COinS
 

Access

This thesis is only available for download to the SIUC community. Current SIUC affiliates may also access this paper off campus by searching Dissertations & Theses @ Southern Illinois University Carbondale from ProQuest. Others should contact the interlibrary loan department of your local library or contact ProQuest's Dissertation Express service.