Research Progress Report 395
October, 1971

Effect of Corn Processing and Condensed Distillers Solubles on Performance of Steers
W. M. Beeson, T. W. Perry, M. T. Mohler and H. L. Hawkins
Department of Animal Sciences

Ensiling under high-moisture content is the most widely used method of preserving corn for feeding to beef cattle. It by-passes the cost of drying and usually produces a product higher in feed value per unit of dry matter than dried corn. In 1969, Purdue studies showed that steers fed on high-moisture corn and reconstituted high-moisture corn required 8% less dry feed equivalent per unit of gain than steers fed dry rolled shelled corn.
In 1970, however, there was only a 3% improvement in feed value of high-moisture corn (34% moisture) over dry rolled corn.
Previous research at Purdue has shown that 2.5% distillers solubles (9.3% on a liquid basis) added to a liquid supplement improved gain 13% and feed efficiency 6%. In balance studies, dietary nitrogen retained was increased 16.2% and absorbed nitrogen retained was increased 27.5% by adding 2.5% distillers solubles to a liquid supplement.
The purpose of the research reported herein was (1) to compare the feeding value of corn subject to various processing methods, and (2) to compare the value of adding two levels of distillers solubles to the rations of finishing cattle.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Seventy-two Hereford steers averaging 622 pounds initially were divided into 12 pens of six each on the basis of liveweight. All lots received a basal ration consisting of limited corn silage (17 pounds per head daily), a full-feed of the different types of corn being compared, and 1 pound of Purdue Liquid 64 Supplement.
Four types of corn were compared: (1) whole dry shelled corn, (2) rolled dry shelled corn, (3) reconstituted high-moisture ensiled corn (20% moisture), and (4) high-moisture ensiled ground shelled corn (26% moisture).
The reconstituted corn (#3) was prepared in an "Advance Reconstituter" by subjecting the whole dry shelled corn to water heated to 160°F. It was next ensiled in a "Harvestore" and then rolled prior to feeding. The high-moisture ensiled corn (#4) was harvested with a picker-sheller at 26% moisture, ground in a hammer mill and then ensiled in a concrete stave silo.
Formulas of the three different liquid supplements used in this study are given in

This research was supported in part by a grant from Distillers Feed Research Council, Cincinnati, Ohio.

PURDUE UNIVERSITY • Agricultural Experiment Station • Lafayette, Indiana