Effects of dry corn gluten feed on feedlot cattle performance and fiber digestibility

Effects of dry corn gluten feed (DCGF) on feedlot cattle performance and fiber digestibility were investigated. In Trial 1, 120 growing steers were fed corn silage-based diets containing 0, 40, 60 or 80% DCGF. Increasing levels of DCGF resulted in a curvilinear response in gain (P less than .05) and a linear increase in feed/gain (P less than .01). When the same steers subsequently were fed the same levels of DCGF in corn-based diets (Trial 2), increasing the percentage of dietary DCGF resulted in a linear decrease in gain (P less than .01) and a linear increase in feed/gain (P less than .01). In Trial 3, 46 crossbred steers were fed individually in a 2 x 2 factorial design to determine effects of 60 or 80% dietary high-moisture corn (HMC) or DCGF on feedlot cattle performance. Steers fed HMC had faster (P less than .08) and more efficient (P less than .05) gains than those fed DCGF, which had greater feed intakes (P less than .05). In Trial 4, 120 Angus crossbred steers were used to compare effects of 20 or 40% dietary HMC or DCGF on feedlot performance. Steers fed diets containing 40% HMC or DCGF had greater gains (P less than .01) and feed intakes (P less than .01) than those fed 20% diets. Steers fed HMC gained more efficiently than those fed DCGF (P less than .01). In an in situ trial, 0, 40, 60 or 80% dietary DCGF did not affect in situ DCGF DM or NDF disappearance. When DCGF was fermented in vitro in combination with corn silage, increasing the level of DCGF from 0 to 100% resulted in a linear increase (P less than .01) in 24 and 48 h NDF disappearance. These results suggest that at high dietary levels DCGF will support feedlot cattle gains that are nearly equal to those of cattle fed corn silage but somewhat less than those fed corn.