Three blocks contained nine steers per pen, one block eight steers, for a total of 35 animals per treatment. Byproduct blends were maintained at 30 percent of dietary dry matter throughout the adaptation process. Before obtaining initial weights on two consecutive days, yearlings were fed a common 50 percent roughage diet at 2.0 percent of body weight for five days. Fat depth, quality grade and yield grade data were collected following a 24-hour chill. We believe this mean was influenced by variation in gain potential of the yearlings, causing the noticeable departure from the linear nature of the response.
Points define actual means, wheras lines represent estimates obtained through linear regression.
Performance data and carcass characteristics for yearling steers. Cattle consuming corn bran are less prone to experience subacute acidosis due to the slower nature of fiber fermentation compared with starch fermentation, whereas the high digestibility of corn bran allows for favorable gains. However, corn bran is lower in energy than corn, which may result in lower feed efficiency. Responses in feed efficiency suggests solvent-extracted germ meal may have a higher energy value than corn bran. Kenneth R. Bolen, Director of Cooperative Extension, University of Nebraska, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.