DETERMINING THE NET ENERGY VALUE OF WET AND DRY CORN GLUTEN FEED IN BEEF GROWING AND FINISHING DIETS

One growing and two finishing trials evaluated the feeding value of co rn gluten feed for cattle. In the growth trial, calves were fed (DM ba sis) one of two control diets (44% dry-rolled corn [DRC], 50% alfalfa hay, 5% molasses, 1% supplement or 33% DRC, 33% alfalfa hay, 33% corn silage, 1% supplement), diets containing 49 or 65% wet corn gluten fee d (WCGF) with alfalfa hay and supplement, or a diet containing 61% WCG F with cornstalks and supplement. Calves fed diets containing 49 or 65 % WCGF with alfalfa hay gained faster (P < .10) and more efficiently ( P < .10) than calves fed the two control diets. In finishing trial 1, yearling steers were fed 92.5% concentrate diets containing (DM basis) 79% DRC, a combination of DRC and 35 or 70% WCGF, a combination of DR C and 70% dry corn gluten feed (DCGF) with or without added water, or a combination of high-moisture corn (HMC) and 70% WCGF. Steers fed 35 or 70% WCGF in combination with either DRC or HMC had gains and effici encies similar (P > .10) to those of steers fed DRC. Inclusion of wate r in the 70% DCGF diet reduced DMI (P < .10) and daily gain (P < .10) but did not affect (P > .10) feed efficiency. In Trial 2, WCGF replace d either 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100% of the DRC and molasses (DM basis). F eed efficiency was not different (P > .10) among diets. Daily gain and DMI responded quadratically (P < .05); maximum gain and intake occurr ed when WCGF replaced 40% of the DRC. Based on animal performance in t hese trials, WCGF contained more NE(g) than DRC when fed in growing di ets and 90 to 100% the NE(g) of corn when fed in finishing diets. Wet corn gluten Seed contains more NE(g) than DCGF when fed in DRC finishi ng diets.