EFFECTS OF ENSILED HIGH MOISTURE
GRAIN CORN ON PERFORMANCE OF GRAIN FED VEAL

P. Sharpe,  D. McKnight, A. Koekkoek and J. Pitty Del Cid

 

ABSTRACT:

          Fifty-nine Holstein bull calves averaging 100 kg. initial body weight and approximately 10 weeks of age were randomly allotted in two seasons of feeding and three weight groups to either whole dry shelled corn (DSC) or ensiled high moisture corn (HMC)  based veal calf diets. Diets were formulated to contain a similar ratio of corn to pelleted protein supplement on a dry matter basis. Diets were fed once daily to ensure ad libitum intake. Feed weigh backs were recorded once weekly, body weights every 7 days for the first 4 weeks and every 2 weeks until at least 112 days on trial. No significant (P≥0.05) interaction between season, body weight group or type of diet was found so each parameter is reported separately. Calves less than 100 kg. body weight gained significantly slower and consumed significantly less feed than those greater than 100 kg. Calves did not adapt as quickly to HMC as DSC based diets. Calves grew slower (P≤ 0.10) and consumed less dry matter (P≤ 0.01) on HMC than DSC over the first 28 days. However after 112 days these differences had disappeared (P≥0.05) so calves fed HMC compensated for the slower start. Feed/gain ratios were not significantly different (P≥0.05) at 28 or 112 day intervals. HMC based grain fed veal calf diets are a viable option for producers who have access to an economical supply of HMC.   

 

INTRODUCTION:

          McEwen and Fregeau-Reid, 2002, reported that veal calf growth rates were similar when ensiled high moisture grain corn (HMC) was compared to dry grain corn (DSC) when fed to veal calves initially weighing 180 kg. However dry matter intake  was significantly lower (P<0.05) and feed efficiency significantly better (P<0.05) for the HMC fed calves. The reduction in dry matter intake was partially explained by a less desirable (moldy) HMC product. Archibeque et al., 2006 reported steers fed HMC had a slightly lower DMI (dry matter intake) (P=0.09), ADG (average daily gain) (P=0.06), and yield grade than steers fed DSC, but feed efficiency, final hot carcass weight and quality grade did not differ (P≥0.23) between treatments. Owens et al., 1997, in a review of some 605 feeding trials, reported that compared with the dry rolled forms, high moisture corn  resulted in lower ADG and DMI. Higher moisture content of HMC decreased dry matter intake without depressing ADG and improved efficiency and increased ME of the grain. Ladely et al., 1995 reported on 2 trials. In Trial 1 dry matter intake was lower (P≤0.10) and feed efficiency was improved (P≤0.10) for cattle fed high moisture corn compared with the same hybrids fed dry rolled. In Trial 2 cattle fed high moisture corn gained faster (P≤0.10) and were more efficient (P≤0.01) than cattle fed the same hybrids dry rolled. Although these trials are with beef cattle and processed corn it appears that often the DMI is reduced with ensiled corn.

          The objective of the proposed study is to repeat the McEwen and Fregeau-Reid trial with better quality HMC and starting with younger, lighter veal calves, to see if the observed differences are repeatable.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

          A total of fifty-nine Holstein bull calves from an earlier trial, where calves were purchased at birth in either May or July, were randomly allotted in two seasons of feeding (Summer (S)- July to November and Fall (F) - November to February) and three weight ranges ( light (L)- 87 kg., medium (M) - 102 kg. and heavy (H)- 117 kg.) to either a DSC or HMC based veal calf diet. Calves were approximately 10 weeks of age when grouped in  pens in an open front pole barn.             Calves remained on free choice calf starter and some grassy dry hay until all  calves from each seasonal rep had been grouped for 1 week.

          Subsequently diets were gradually changed  from calf starter (18% CP)  to experimental diet over a 4 week period (75, 50, 25 and then 0% calf starter respectively, as-fed basis) as follows:

                                    DSC                                                HMC

            Week 1&2     3     4      5                      Week 1&2     3        4       5

Calf Starter    75%    50   25     0                                75       50      25      0

Corn              20       40   60     80                            20.6    41.2   61.8  83

36% Supp        5       10   15     20                               4.4       8.8   13.2   17

 

          Dietary corn treatment was either whole DSC or whole HMC and diets were adjusted to be an equal proportion of corn on a dry matter basis. 36% Supplement was pelleted and contained no non protein nitrogen and supplied 88 mg/kg Monensin. Calves were fed once daily and remained on full feed at all times, to prevent bloating. As an added precaution against bloat a small amount of grassy hay was fed each morning. Hay intake was not recorded. Calves were fed once daily and weigh backs recorded weekly. Calves were weighed every 7 days for the first 4 weeks and every 14 days thereafter, not dehorned or castrated and remained on the experiment for at least 112 days.

          Mixed model analysis procedures of SAS were used to analyze the data. As there were no interactions between body weight, season of feeding and type of corn, the data for each of these variables is reported separately.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

          High moisture corn  fed to calves in the F feeding period was 77% dry matter compared to 72% in the S feeding period. As a result, there was only a 7% difference in the total dry matter composition between HMC and DSC diets in the F period and 9% in the S period. High moisture corn was of good quality throughout the experiment and there were no problems experienced with bunk heating or spoilage in S or F periods when feeding once daily and closely monitoring intake and adjusting so that there was always feed in the bunk.

          Calves of this initial age and weight seemed to transition slowly to the whole corn based diets, but there was no statistical interaction found between initial body weight, season of feeding or corn type. Therefore the effect of type of corn occurred regardless of initial weight. These calves were nearly the same age and the results might have been different had calves been different weights due to difference in ages.

          Calves, regardless of season of feeding and initial weight, did not adapt as quickly to HMC as DSC based diets (Table 2). Calves grew slower (P≤ 0.10) and consumed less dry matter (P≤ 0.01) over the first 28 days. However after 112 days these differences had disappeared (P≥0.05) so calves compensated for the slower start. Feed/gain ratios were not significantly different (P≥0.05) at 28 or 112 day intervals. The reduced dry matter intake and improved feed conversion with HMC fed calves reported by McEwen and Fregeau-Reid, 2002, was not repeated in this experiment and may confirm their suspicion that their HMC was moldy. 

          As might be expected calves in the S phase consumed significantly (P≤ 0.01) less feed due to lower energy needs for body maintenance, but they grew as quickly (P≥0.05) as F calves (Table 3). Bunk spoilage of HMC was not an issue in either the S or F trials but feed bunks should preferably be covered to prevent wastage of either DSC or HMC diets during heavy rain fall.

          Calves in the L group gained significantly slower (P≤0.05) and consumed significantly less feed (P≤0.05) than either M or H calves (Table 1). As calves were close to the same age the poorer performance of light calves may be due to previous health status and/or genetics. Additional research should be undertaken to examen the earliest weight to transition calves to a grain veal diet.

                                                                            

 

CONCLUSIONS:

Veal calves started on whole corn based diets at 100 kg initial body weight

performed well. Calves less than 100 kg. body weight gained significantly slower and consumed significantly less feed than those greater than 100 kg.  Calves, regardless of initial body weight and season, gained significantly slower and consumed significantly less feed on the HMC than DSC diet over the first 28 day period. However those differences had disappeared by 112 days. HMC based grain fed veal calf diets are a viable option for producers who have access to an economical supply of HMC.   

 

REFERENCES:

          Archibeque, S.L., Miller, D.N., Freetly, H.C., and Ferrel C.L. 2006. Feeding high-moisture corn instead of dry-rolled corn reduces odorous compound production in manure of finishing beef cattle without decreasing performance. J. Anim. Sci. 84: 1767.

          Ladely, S.R., Stock, R.A., Goedeken, F.K. and Huffman, R.P. 1995. Effect fo corn hybrid and grain processing method on rate of starch disappearance and performance of finishing cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 73:360.

          McEwen, P. L. and Fregeau-Reid, J. 2002. The effects of grain corn type and moisture level on grain fed veal calf performance. Http://www.ridgetownc.on.ca/research.

          Ownes, F.N, Secrist, D.S., Hill, W.J., and Gill, D.R. 1997. The effect of grain source and grain processing on performance of feedlot cattle: a review. J. Anim. Sci. 75:868.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

Table 1 Effect of initial body weight on performance of grain fed veal

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                                                 0-28 Days               0-112 Days 

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ADG (kg/day)

          L (light 87 kg)                      1.08                     ...1.39a                         

          M (medium 102 kg)              1.02                       1.47b

          H (heavy 117 kg)                  1.09                       1.52b

          ąSEM                                  0.10                       0.04

          Pr>F                                       0.84                       0.11

DMI (kg/day)

          L                                        2.99a                       4.59a                       

          M                                       3.49b                       5.16b

          H                                        3.79b                       5.42b

          ąSEM                                 0.13                         0.15

          Pr>F                                   0.01                         0.01

Feed/Gain                                    

          L                                        4.70                         3.57                                   

          M                                       3.52                         3.39

          H                                        3.53                         3.48

          ąSEM                                 0.46                         0.33

          Pr>F                                   0.83                         0.92

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a,b  Least square means within column and parameter measured are significantly different (P≤0.05)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 2 Effect of type of corn on performance of grain fed veal

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                                                 0-28 Days               0-112 Days 

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ADG (kg/day)

          DSC                                    1.16                      1.45                          

          HMC                                   0.96                       1.47

          ąSEM                                  0.09                       0.04

          Pr>F                                    0.10                       0.84

DMI (kg/day)

          DSC                                   3.68b                       5.13                        

          HMC                                  3.21a                       4.98

          ąSEM                                 0.11                         0.13

          Pr>F                                   0.01                         0.41

Feed/Gain                                    

          DSC                                   3.51                         3.45                                   

          HMC                                  4.33                         3.51

          ąSEM                                 0.44                         0.28

          Pr>F                                   0.68                          0.87

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a,b  Least square means within column and parameter measured are significantly different (P≤0.05)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 3 Effect of season on performance of grain fed veal

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                                                 0-28 Days               0-112 Days 

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ADG (kg/day)

          S (July-November)      1.19b                   1.45                          

          F (November-February)        0.93a                     1.47

          ąSEM                                  0.08                       0.04

          Pr>F                                    0.04                       0.58

DMI (kg/day)

          S                                        3.23a                       4.87a                       

          F                                        3.61b                       5.30b

          ąSEM                                 0.11                         0.13

          Pr>F                                   0.02                         0.01

Feed/Gain                                    

          S                                        3.83                         3.50                                   

          F                                        4.00                         3.45

          ąSEM                                 0.44                         0.27

          Pr>F                                   0.93                         0.90

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a,b  Least square means within column and parameter measured are significantly different (P≤0.05)