Effects of Corn and Soybean Meal Particle Size on Phosphorus Use in Turkey Poults

Two 28-d experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of grinding corn or soybean meal (SBM) to various particle sizes on P utilization in turkey poults. Dietary Ca was formulated to be 1.20% in the corn-SBM-based diets of both studies and nonphytate P (NPP) was calculated to be 0.40% in experiment 1 and 0.48% in experiment 2. In experiment 1, corn that had been processed through a roller mill was used or was ground through 3 different screen sizes in a hammer mill to yield 4 corn particle sizes ranging from about 600 to 1,100 μm. Initial (7 d) growth was reduced when the coarsest corn was fed due to lower feed intake. Phosphorus utilization was improved the first 2 wk as corn particle size increased as measured by incidence of rickets, tibia ash, and total P retention. Gizzard weight and phytate P retention were increased at 28 d as corn particle size increased. In experiment 2, corn was ground to approximately 850 μm and commercial SBM (856 μm) was used or ground to 2 finer particle sizes in a hammer mill. Gizzard weight and phytate P retention were increased at 28 d as SBM particle size increased. Other parameters were not affected at least partially due to the higher dietary NPP level fed to prevent severe rickets observed in the first trial. These studies show that young poults can utilize P better from coarser corn and soybean meal, especially when dietary P is low.     

Effects of feeding cracked corn and concentrate protein pellets on broiler growth performance

Typically, in a vertically integrated poultry (broiler or turkey) operation, maintaining adequate feed manufacturing production proves to be a challenge. To evaluate an alternative management strategy, 2 studies were conducted to examine the effects of feeding broilers cracked corn and a concentrated pellet on broiler growth performance from 0 to 41 d of age. Cracked corn (0, 25, 50, 75, or 100%) was used to replace the corn fraction in the diet for all 3 stages of growth. Cracked corn and concentrate pellets were blended together to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric among all treatments, so only feed form would differ. Experiment 1 diets included a control (0% cracked corn) and experimental diets (25, 50, 75, or 100%) in which cracked corn directly replaced the ground corn fraction. Overall (0 to 41 d), a linear decrease (P < 0.001) for ADG and ADFI and a linear increase (P < 0.003) for FCR was observed as cracked corn levels increased. In experiment 2, a “step-up” feeding program of cracked corn was evaluated with dietary treatments including the following: 1) control (0% cracked corn throughout feeding), 2) 0% cracked corn (0 to 17 d) and 25% (18 to 41 d), 3) 0% cracked corn (0 to 17 d) and 50% (18 to 41 d), 4) 25% cracked corn (0 to 41 d), and 5) 50% cracked corn (0 to 41 d). Overall (0 to 41 d), ADG for treatment 1, 2, and 4 was greater than 3 and 5 (P < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio was superior for treatments 2 and 4 (P < 0.05) in comparison with treatments 3 and 5. Up to 25% of the dietary corn can be fed to the broiler as cracked corn from 0 to 41 d without a negative response on growth performance.     

Corn protein has greater concentrations of digestible amino acids and energy than low-oil corn distillers dried grains with solubles when fed to pigs but does not affect the growth performance of weanling pigs

Three experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) in a new source of corn protein are greater than in corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and that corn protein may be included in diets for weanling pigs. In experiment 1, the SID of AA was determined in two sources of DDGS (DDGS-1 and DDGS-2) and in corn protein. Results indicated that SID of most AA was greater (P < 0.05) in DDGS-2 and corn protein than in DDGS-1, but corn protein contained more digestible AA than both sources of DDGS. In experiment 2, the DE and ME in corn, the two sources of DDGS, and corn protein were determined. Results demonstrated that DE (dry matter basis) in corn protein was greater (P < 0.05) than in corn, but ME (dry matter basis) was not different between corn and corn protein. However, DE and ME in corn (dry matter basis) were greater (P < 0.05) than in DDGS-1 and DDGS-2. In experiment 3, 160 weanling pigs were allotted to four treatments in phases 1 and 2 and a common diet in phase 3. Corn protein was included at 5% to 10% in phases 1 and 2 at the expense of plasma protein and enzyme-treated soybean meal. Results indicated that although differences in average daily gain and gain to feed ratio were observed in phase 1, no differences among treatments were observed for the overall experimental period. In conclusion, the concentration of digestible AA is greater in corn protein than in DDGS; DE and ME in corn protein are also greater than in DDGS; and up to 10% corn protein may be included in phase 1 and phase 2 diets for weanling pigs.     

Pre-cecal phosphorus digestibility for corn,wheat, soybean meal,and corn gluten meal in growing Japanese quails from 28 to 32 d of age

The optimization of dietary phosphorus (P) depends on precise details of the P availability in feed ingredients to avoid excess or deficient P in a mixed diet. This study was carried out to measure the apparent ileal digestibility of P for corn, wheat, soybean meal, and corn gluten meal in growing Japanese quails from 28 to 32 d posthatch. A total of 400 quail chicks were randomly distributed across 5 treatments with 4 replicates and 20 birds in each floor pen. The P-free diet (PFD) was formulated based on cornstarch to measure the basal endogenous P losses (EPL). Digestibility coefficients were determined by ileal digesta sampling using TiO₂ as an indigestible marker. The EPL was estimated at 384 mg/kg DMI. The apparent ileal P digestibility (AIPD) for corn, soybean meal, wheat, and corn gluten meal were determined to be 0.38, 0.53, 0.38, and 0.78, respectively. The corresponding values for true ileal P digestibility (TIPD) were 0.48, 0.61, 0.50, and 0.83, respectively. The t-test analysis showed that the difference of AIPD and TIPD values for corn (P = 0.031) and wheat (P = 0.015) were statistically significant, however, no significant differences were observed for corn gluten meal (P = 0.318) and soybean meal (P = 0.104). In conclusion, the correction of AIPD coefficients for EPL in low-P ingredients such as corn and wheat may be much more important than that in high-P feedstuffs such as corn gluten meal and soybean meal in growing quails.     

Impact of variable corn nutrient content,AME prediction,and xylanase inclusion on growth performance

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of corn apparent metabolizable energy (AME) value, on broiler performance associated with geographical location (source), xylanase inclusion, and formulation. A 3 (corn source) × 2 (formulation; adjusted or non-adjusted value) × 2 (xylanase inclusion, 0 vs 16,000 BXU/kg) factorial randomized complete block desig study was conducted which included 10 replicates of 20 male broilers per replicate for a 42 d experiment. In the non-adjusted corn diets, each dietary treatment contained the same percentage of each corn source while the adjusted corn diets formulated based on a corn near-infrared (NIR) nutrient analysis and AME prediction equation (AB Vista, Marlborough, UK). In all cases, the predicted AME of the corns was lower than the NRC (1994) AME value, resulting in additional fat inclusion. The dietary program consisted of 3 dietary phases; starter (d 1 to 18), grower (d 19 to 33), and finisher (d 34 to 42) with growth performance monitored at feed changes. Xylanase increased (p < 0.05) starter feed consumption and d 18 body weight (BW) (2.1%), and an increase in BW (4.6%) was observed using the predicted AME values. Corn source continued to impact broiler performance throughout the remainder of the trial as corn source A consistently outperformed (p < 0.05) corn source C with increased BW and reduced mortality corrected FCR. Dietary adjustment with AME predicted values for each corn source consistently improved (p < 0.05) growth performance. Corn source A had the highest average BW with a 2.9% increase (p < 0.05) over corn source C. Early feed conversion rate (FCR) was improved (p < 0.05) with the predicted AME value diet-fed broilers, decreasing FCR by 3%. Multiple significant interactions were observed between the corn source and the adjustment method. For example, with d 42 FCR, using the predicted AME value adjustment had an impact of 9 and 10 points for corn source B and C, respectively, but only 2 for corn source A. This experiment demonstrates the impact of variable corn nutrient content and the potential improvement when using NIR technology for ingredient nutrient specifications.     

Intrinsic phytase in hybrid rye increases the digestibility of phosphorus in corn and soybean meal in diets fed to growing pigs

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that inclusion of hybrid rye in diets containing corn and soybean meal (SBM) without or with microbial phytase improves the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P because of the intrinsic phytase activity in hybrid rye. Forty-eight growing barrows (initial body weight: 39.5 ± 7.7 kg) were allotted to six diets. A basal diet containing corn and SBM; a rye-based diet; and a diet containing corn, SBM, and rye were formulated. Each diet was formulated without and with microbial phytase (500 units/kg of diet) for a total of six diets. Fecal samples were collected for 4 d following a 5-d adaptation period according to the marker-to-marker procedure. Results indicated that no interactions between diets and concentration of phytase were observed for any of the response criteria measured. The ATTD and STTD of P and the ATTD of Ca differed (P < 0.05) among diets, but regardless of diet, the concentration of P in feces was reduced (P < 0.05) by adding microbial phytase to the diets. As a consequence, microbial phytase increased (P < 0.05) ATTD and STTD of P, and the ATTD of Ca was also increased (P < 0.05) by the use of microbial phytase. Measured values for the ATTD and STTD of P in the diets containing corn, SBM, and hybrid rye without or with phytase were greater (P < 0.05) than values that were predicted based on the ATTD and STTD of P for the corn–SBM and the hybrid rye diet. The observation that STTD predicted from the individual ingredients underestimated the STTD of P in the mixed diet indicates that the intrinsic phytase in hybrid rye resulted in increased digestibility of the P in the corn and SBM included in the corn–SBM–hybrid rye diet. In conclusion, microbial phytase increased the ATTD and STTD of P and the ATTD of Ca regardless of feed ingredients used in diets fed to pigs. In addition, the intrinsic phytase from hybrid rye increased the ATTD and STTD of P in corn and SBM.     

Ingestive behavior of pastured crossbred dairy cows offered different supplement types

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different supplements on the behavior variables of crossbred dairy cows that were in pasture that comprised two 4?×?4 Latin squares (four periods, four treatments, and four animals). Each experimental period lasted 15 days (10 days to adapt animals to treatments and 5 days for data collection). The animals were supplemented twice a day, with different forage (corn silage and cactus pear) and concentrate sources (soy mea + wheat meal + corn meal + cotton seed together and soy meal as a single constituent of the concentrate). A significant difference (p?<?0.10) was observed for the percentage of time spent consuming the supplement and for idleness, rumination, and bite rate at the time of supplementation. The supplement intake period was greater for the cactus pear-based supplements due to the lower dry matter content. Those based on corn silage resulted in longer rumination periods than those consisting of cactus pear; however, the opposite was observed for supplements based on the cactus, which showed higher percentages of time for idleness. The supplementation influenced the ingestive behavior of crossbred dairy cows.     

Effect of supplemental zinc source and corn particle size on 40-day broiler performance

Zinc (Zn) supplementation source and particle size of feed ingredients are two factors that can affect poultry performance and should be considered for proper feeding of poultry. The objective of the current study was to assess the effects of Zn supplementation source and corn particle size on broiler performance, breast yield, and tibia Zn concentration. Treatments were arranged in a 5 × 2 factorial randomized complete block design with the main effects Zn treatment and corn particle size (550 micron vs. 1,050 micron). Zinc treatments included a basal diet (no added Zn), 80 mg/kg Zn sulfate, and 3 diets with 40 mg/kg Zn sulfate + 40 mg/kg of either Zn-glycine amino acid (AA) chelate (Zn-gly), Zn-AA complex (Zn-AA), or Zn bis(-2-hydroxy-4-methylthio)butanoic acid (Zn-HMTBA). A total of 8 replications per treatment were fed to 23 broilers per pen from d one to 40. A Zn treatment x corn particle size interaction was observed for ending bird weight (EBW; P < 0.05) demonstrating that feeding small particle corn produced larger broilers except when supplemental Zn was not included. Broilers fed small particle corn or diets supplemented with Zn consumed the most feed (P < 0.05); however, FCR was decreased (P < 0.05) by 1.9 points for broilers fed large particle corn diets. Tibia Zn concentration was higher (P < 0.0001) for Zn supplemented diets, but no other treatment effects were observed. In conclusion, Zn supplement source had little effect on broiler performance; however, Zn supplementation per se optimized performance.     

Potential use of ground brown rice for weanling pigs

The purpose of the current study was to assess the effects of substituting corn with ground brown rice on growth performance, immune status, and gut microbiota in weanling pigs. Seventy-two weanling pigs (28 d old with 6.78 ± 0.94 kg body weight [BW]) were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments with six pens and six pigs (three barrows and gilts) per pen within a randomized complete block design. The control pigs were fed a typical diet for weanling pigs based on corn and soybean meal diet (control diet: CON), and the other pigs were fed a formulated diet with 100% replacement of corn with ground brown rice for 35d (treatment diet: GBR). Growth performance, immune status, and gut microbiota of weanling pigs were measured. The substitution of corn with GBR did not affect growth performance or diarrhea frequency. Additionally, there were no differences in white blood cell number, hematocrit, cortisol, C-reactive protein, and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels between pigs fed CON or GBR for the first 2 wk after weaning. However, weanling pigs fed GBR had lower (P < 0.05) serum transforming growth factor-beta 1 level than those fed CON. Furthermore, weanling pigs fed GBR had increased (P < 0.05) relative abundance of phylum Firmicutes and genus Lactobacillus and Streptococcus and decreased (P < 0.05) relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and genus Clostridium and Prevotella in the gut microbiota compared with those fed CON. In conclusion, there was no significant difference in growth performance when corn was replaced with ground brown rice in diets for weanling pigs. Furthermore, the substitution of corn with ground brown rice in weaning diet modulated immune status and gut microbiota of pigs by increasing beneficial microbial communities and reducing harmful microbial communities. Overall, ground brown rice-based diet is a potential alternative to corn-based diet without negative effects on growth performance, immune status, and gut microbiota changes of weanling pigs.     

Hybrid rye may replace up to 75% of the corn in diets for gestating and lactating sows without negatively impacting sow and piglet performance

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that hybrid rye can replace a part of the corn in gestation and lactation diets without negatively affecting sow and litter performance. For each phase, a corn–soybean meal diet and three diets in which hybrid rye replaced 25%, 50%, or 75% of corn were formulated. Two hundred sows were randomly allotted by parity to the four treatments. Results indicated that diet did not affect body weight or average daily gain (ADG) of sows or number of pigs born. The number of pigs weaned, litter weaning weight, and litter ADG increased and then decreased (quadratic, P < 0.05) as hybrid rye in diets increased. Pig mortality and number of crushed pigs tended (quadratic, P < 0.10) to be reduced as hybrid rye was added to the diet. Serum cytokines did not differ among treatments on day 105 of gestation or in pigs on the day of weaning, but interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and IL-18 on day 13 of lactation increased and then decreased (quadratic, P < 0.05) as hybrid rye inclusion increased in diets. Milk urea N increased (linear, P < 0.05) as hybrid rye was included in the diet, but no other differences in milk composition were observed. Overall, replacing 25% or 50% of corn with hybrid rye resulted in improved lactation performance, and replacing 75% of corn with hybrid rye resulted in sow and litter performance that was not different from that of sows fed control diets.     

Fecal Gas Production of Ten Common Horse Feeds Supplemented With Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The study aimed to assess the nutritive value of 10 feeds (grains and forages) commonly used in horse nutrition in Mexico, on the basis of their chemical composition, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and in vitro gas production measurements with or without the supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) at 4 mg/g DM. Fecal inoculum was obtained from 4 adult English Thoroughbred horses fed on restricted amount of concentrate and oat hay ad libitum. Substrates tested were: 6 concentrates (corn gluten meal, soybean meal, steam-rolled corn, steam-rolled barley, oat grain, and wheat bran) and 4 roughages (soybean hulls, corn stover, alfalfa hay, and oat hay). Gas production (GP) was recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 24, 48, and 70 hours using the pressure transducer technique. Some ingredient × yeast interactions were observed (P ≤ .020) for the asymptotic GP and GP at 48 and 70 hours of incubation. Yeast addition increased (P < .001) the asymptotic GP of concentrates compared to roughages. Concentrate feeds had higher (P < .05) GP and lower (P < .001) rate of GP compared to roughages without yeast. From 24 to 70 hours of incubation, forages with or without yeast had lower (P < .05) GP compared to concentrates supplemented with SC. Forages had higher fermentation pH compared to concentrates but lower (P < .05) metabolizable energy, IVOMD, and microbial protein production compared to concentrates. Supplementation with SC increased (P < .05) the asymptotic GP of oat grain, soybean meal, soybean meal, steam-rolled barley, steam-rolled corn, wheat bran, corn stover, and oat hay, without affecting the rate of GP or lag time of oat grain, soybean meal, wheat bran, corn stover, and oat hay. Moreover, supplementation with SC increased (P < .05) metabolizable energy, IVOMD, and microbial protein production of steam-rolled barley, wheat bran, and corn stover, without affecting (P > .05) the fermentation of other feeds. Supplementation with SC improved fermentation of feeds with higher effects on concentrates compared to roughages. It was concluded that although SC mainly improves concentrate utilization by horses, it also improves fiber digestion when used on high-roughage diets fed to horses.     

Effect of Partial Replacement of Steam Rolled Corn With Soybean Hulls or Prickly Pear Cactus in the Horse's Diet in the Presence of Live Saccharomyces cerevisiae on In Vitro Fecal Gas Production

The aim of the study was to evaluate the fecal fermentation of partial replacing steam rolled corn with soybean hulls (SH) or prickly pear cactus (PC) as energy source in horse diets, in the presence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Steam rolled corn was replaced with SH at 0% (control), 7.5% (SH75), and 15% (SH150) in the first trial, whereas it was replaced with PC at 0% (control; the same of the first trial), 7.5% (PC75), and 15% (PC150) in the second trial. Yeast of S. cerevisiae was added at 0, 2, and 4 mg/g dry matter (DM) of incubated substrates. Fecal inoculum was obtained from four adult English Thoroughbred horses fed on an amount of commercial concentrate and oat hay ad libitum. Interactions observed between PC rations and yeast doses for the asymptotic gas production (GP), the rate of GP and carbon dioxide (CO₂) production during some incubation hours. Moreover, with no effect due to SH rations (P > .05), increased (P < .05) rate of GP was observed with the ration PC75 compared with other rations. Besides, PC75 and PC150 rations with 0 mg yeast/g DM linearly decreased (P < .05) CO₂ production at some incubation hours. However, SH75 and SH150 ration had increased (P = .005) DM degradability (DMD). Yeast addition at 2 mg/g DM increased the asymptotic GP (P = .048) with the SH75 and PC150 rations. The level of 4 mg yeast/g DM increased the asymptotic GP (P = .048) from the SH150 ration. Yeast addition at 2 and 4 mg/g DM increased (P < .05) ​the asymptotic GP from PC75 and PC150 rations, respectively, with increasing DMD with the both doses. Yeast addition increased (P < .05) CO₂ production from SH75, SH150, PC75, and PC150 rations. It could be concluded that SH and PC can replace steam rolled corn at levels of 7.5% to 15% without negative effect of fermentation kinetics and with better fermentation performance in the presence of yeast at 2 mg/g DM of substrates.     

Effect of corn supplementation on purine derivatives and rumen fermentation in sheep fed PKC and urea-treated rice straw

This study investigated the effect of different levels of corn supplementation as energy source into palm kernel cake–urea-treated rice straw basal diet on urinary excretion of purine derivatives, nitrogen utilization, rumen fermentation, and rumen microorganism populations. Twenty-seven Dorper lambs were randomly assigned to three treatment groups and kept in individual pens for a 120-day period. The animals were subjected to the dietary treatments as follows: T1: 75.3% PKC?+?0% corn, T2: 70.3% PKC?+?5% corn, and T3: 65.3% PKC?+?10% corn. Hypoxanthine and uric acid excretion level were recorded similarly in lambs supplemented with corn. The microbial N yield and butyrate level was higher in corn-supplemented group, but fecal N excretion, T3 has the lowest level than other groups. Lambs fed T3 had a greater rumen protozoa population while the number of R. flavefaciens was recorded highest in T2. No significant differences were observed for total bacteria, F. succinogenes, R. albus, and methanogen population among all treatment. Based on these results, T3 could be fed to lambs without deleterious effect on the VFA and N balance.     

Generation of transgenic corn-derived Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae ApxIIA fused with the cholera toxin B subunit as a vaccine candidate

Corn, one of the most important forage crops worldwide, has proven to be a useful expression vehicle due to the availability of established transformation procedures for this well-studied plant. The exotoxin Apx, a major virulence factor, is recognized as a common antigen of Actinobacillus (A.) pleuropneumoniae, the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia. In this study, a cholera toxin B (CTB)-ApxIIA#5 fusion protein and full-size ApxIIA expressed in corn seed, as a subunit vaccine candidate, were observed to induce Apx-specific immune responses in mice. These results suggest that transgenic corn-derived ApxIIA and CTB-ApxIIA#5 proteins are potential vaccine candidates against A. pleuropneumoniae infection.     

Effect of cereal type and Xylanase supplementation on nutrient retention and growth performance of broilers

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of cereal (corn, wheat, barley and sorghum) and supplemental enzyme (a mono-component xylanase) in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement. A 2-phase feeding program (0 to 21 and 21 to 42 d) was used and 4 iso-caloric, iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated containing corn, wheat, barley, or sorghum as the sole cereal. Diets based on each cereal were fed without or with supplemental xylanase (16,000 BXU/kg) to 8 replicate pens of 10 chicks (5 male : 5 female, Cobb 500) each. Growth performance was recorded at 21 or 42 d posthatch. Excreta was quantitatively collected from 18 to 21 and 38 to 41 d for the measurement of the total tract retention of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and apparent metabolizable energy (AME). Ileal digestible energy (IDE) was measured at the end of the study (42 d posthatch) using titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker. For the overall 42 d period, birds fed barley-based diets had lower feed intake (P < 0.05), lower body weight (P < 0.05) and converted feed into gain less efficiently (P < 0.05) compared with the diets based on corn, wheat or sorghum. Xylanase supplementation improved weight gain in diets based on corn, wheat, and sorghum with the exception of barley-based diets (cereal × xylanase interaction, P < 0.05). Xylanase improved the overall feed conversion ratio (1.885 vs. 1.939; P < 0.05) with the effect being independent of the cereal type. The N retention of barley-based diets was lower (P < 0.05) compared with the other cereals, while xylanase improved N retention (P < 0.05) regardless of the cereal type. NDF digestibility differed (P < 0.05) across cereal (barley > wheat > corn > sorghum) and was improved (P < 0.05) by xylanase supplementation. A significant cereal × xylanase interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for energy measurements, where xylanase improved IDE of the corn-based diet, and AME of corn- and wheat-based diets. Results of the current study demonstrate potential of xylanase in improving nutrient retention and growth performance of broilers fed diets based on variety of cereal grains.     

Evaluation of Nutritional Equivalency of Corn Grain from DAS-Ø15Ø7-1 (Herculex* I) in the Diets of Laying Hens

Grain from transgenic corn line TC1507 (Herculex* I) from Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. and Dow AgroSciences LLC, which expresses the Cry1F protein from Bacillus thuringiensis to provide protection from lepidopteran pests of corn, was compared with its isoline equivalent and 2 conventional corn strains in a 16-wk laying hen feeding trial. Egg production and production efficiency of hens fed the diet formulated with transgenic grain TC1507 were similar to those of hens fed diets formulated with isoline or nontransgenic conventional corns. Hens fed TC1507 had similar egg qualities as those fed nontransgenic grain diets. Diet × phase interactions were noted for Haugh unit and Roche color fan score. Hens fed conventional corn 2 had a poorer Haugh unit score compared with hens fed the other 3 diets. Conventional corn 1 had greater levels of xanthophylls compared with the other corn treatments, resulting in increased Roche color fan score for eggs produced by hens fed this diet. Overall, hens fed the transgenic Herculex* I corn grain containing the Cry1F protein performed as well as hens fed the isoline equivalent of Herculex* I and hens fed the conventional corn grains.     

Effect of variety and drying method on the nutritive value of corn for growing pigs

Background

This experiment was conducted to determine the nutritive value of corn from the north of China for growing pigs. The experiment examined corn variety (LS1, LS2, LS3 and LS4) grown in one location, drying method (sun dried and artificially dried) and different drying temperatures. Corn harvested at 20-25% moisture was dried to about 12% moisture by sun drying and artificially drying at 80, 100, or 120°C in a fluidized bed dryer. Ninety-six barrows (average BW of 33.4 ± 2.7 kg) were housed in individual metabolism crates to facilitate separate collection of feces and urine. A five-day collection period followed a seven-day diet acclimation period.

Results

The results indicated that variety significantly influenced (P < 0.01) the 1,000 kernel weight of corn but not the bulk weight. Variety also influenced the available energy content (digestible energy of dry matter, P < 0.01; metabolisable energy of dry matter, P < 0.01) and digestibility of organic matter (P < 0.01), as well as dry matter (P < 0.01) and gross energy (GE) content (P < 0.02). The drying method of corn significantly influenced the 1,000 kernel weight (P < 0.01), bulk weight (P < 0.01) and digestibility of ether extract (EE) (P < 0.01). No effect of drying temperature on the digestibility of organic matter, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and gross energy was observed, but gelatinization (P < 0.05) and test weight (P < 0.01) decreased with an increase in temperature.

Conclusions

Variety has a significant impact on the nutritive value of corn for growing pigs, and greater attention needs to be paid to these influences in the assignment of the nutritive value of corn given to growing pigs.     

Plasma ghrelin and oxyntomodulin concentrations in lactating dairy cows receiving abomasal soybean oil,corn starch,and casein infusions

The effects of increased postruminal supply of casein, corn starch, and soybean oil on plasma concentrations of the gastrointestinal hormones ghrelin and oxyntomodulin (OXM) were investigated. Four mid-lactation Holstein cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square. Treatments were continuous abomasal infusions (23 h/d) for 7 d of water, soybean oil (500 g/d), corn starch (1100 g/d), or casein (800 g/d). Jugular vein plasma was obtained every 30 min for 7 h on days 1 and 7. Soybean oil and casein infusion decreased preprandial plasma ghrelin concentration by approximately 20% on both d (time-by-treatment P < 0.10); however, dry matter intake (DMI) was depressed only after 7 d of oil infusion. Infusion of soybean oil, corn starch, or casein did not change the plasma OXM concentration (P > 0.20). The present data indicate that plasma ghrelin concentration is depressed immediately before feeding by the postruminal infusion of soybean oil and casein, but it is not affected during the postprandial period. Plasma ghrelin concentration was not altered (P > 0.20), pre- or postfeeding, by increased postruminal supply of corn starch. In addition, plasma OXM concentration did not respond (P > 0.20) to postruminal nutrient infusion. In conclusion, a decrease in DMI when fat is infused could be partially explained by the decrease in prefeeding plasma ghrelin concentration, but a decrease in prefeeding plasma ghrelin concentration is not always associated with a decrease in DMI, as observed for the infusion of casein. Plasma OXM concentration was not affected by postruminal infusion of macronutrients.     

Effects of Feeding Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles on Growth and Feed Efficiency of Weanling Horses

The effects of replacing corn and soybean meal with distiller's dried grains and solubles in the weanling horse diet were examined. Sixteen weanling horses, 12 fillies and four colts, were fed completely pelleted diets consisting of 50% alfalfa in addition to 50% of a concentrate containing either corn and soybean meal (CS), or 30% of the concentrate replaced with distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS). There were no significant differences (P > .05) between the two diets in either average daily gain or gain-to-feed ratio. The CS diet had a higher apparent dry matter digestibility (P < .0001), and higher apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (P < .01). It was concluded that replacing a portion of the corn and soybean meal with distiller's dried grains with solubles in the weanling horse diet did not lead to significant growth depression. However, the diet containing DDGS had reduced apparent digestibility of dry matter, CP, and fiber. Therefore, it was concluded that it may not be advisable to replace more than 30% of the concentrate portion or 15% of the total diet with distiller's dried grains and solubles when alfalfa is used as the forage source constituting 50% of the weanling diet. Even less DDGS may be desirable to substitute for corn and soybean meal in weanling horse diets if the forage source is one with lower protein quality than alfalfa. It is possible that using DDGS for less than 30% of the concentrate portion of the diet along with high-quality alfalfa forage may produce comparable gain and feed efficiency results with less depression of apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and fiber.     

Effect of high-oil corn on growth performance, diet digestibility, and energy content of finishing diets fed to beef cattle

Sixty crossbred beef steers (initial BW = 412 kg) were used in a 83-d finishing study to determine the effect of feeding dry rolled high-oil corn on performance and total-tract digestibility of finishing diets. Steers were allotted by weight to the following dietary treatments: 1) control corn (C; 82% normal corn, 12% triticale silage), 2) high-oil corn (HO; 82% high-oil corn, 12% silage), and 3) high-oil corn formulated to be isocaloric to C (ISO; 74% high-oil corn, 20% silage). Total lipid content was 4.9% (DM basis) for normal corn and 7.0% for high-oil corn. Steers were individually fed using electronic gates. Quantity of feed offered and refused was recorded daily. Fecal samples were collected on d 63 to 66 of the trial to determine digestibility. Chromic oxide was fed as an indigestible marker for 7 d before fecal collection began. Planned contrasts of HO vs C and ISO vs C were used to assess treatment differences. Dry matter intake was greater for steers fed C vs HO (P < 0.01) or C vs ISO (P < 0.01), but daily gain and feed efficiency were not affected (P > 0.05) by treatments. Digestibility of DM, OM, starch, and GE was greater (P < 0.05) for the HO diet than the C diet, but lipid digestibility did not differ among treatments (P > 0.05). The combined effect of greater GE content and digestibility resulted in greater (P < 0.01) DE content for the HO than for the C diet. Calculated DE of the corn was 8.3% greater (3.74 Mcal/kg; P < 0.01) for the HO diet and 6.5% greater (3.67 Mcal/kg; P < 0.01) for the ISO diet than the corn in the C diet (3.25 Mcal/kg). Dry matter and GE digestibility did not differ (P > 0.05) between the C and ISO diets. Steers consuming ISO had greater (P < 0.05) starch digestibility than steers fed the C diet. Although HO had higher DE, DE intake was similar (P > 0.05) for HO and C due to lower DMI for HO. These results indicate that available energy is greater from high-oil corn than from typical corn, but depressed voluntary feed intake prevented performance improvements and resulted in equal energy intakes between high-oil corn and typical corn diets.