Utilization of Bt Corn Hybrids in Growing Beef Steers

Two trials were completed to evaluate the efficacy of Bt corn hybrids for growing steers. After grain harvest, trial 1 used two fields of N7333 Bt and nonBt corn to evaluate grazing performance and preference of growing steers. Trial 2 compared early and late maturing varieties (N4242 and N7333, respectively) of Bt and nonBt corn hybrids in corn silage-based growing diets. No differences in performance or grazing preference were observed between N7333 Bt or nonBt residue. Steers fed corn silage from hybrids N4242 gained 11% faster (P\u3e.01) and were 7% more efficient (P\u3e.01) than those fed N7333 hybrids. Effects of the Bt trait in the corn silage growing study were inconsistent between hybrids