Estimates of Corn Residue Quality

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of corn residue harvest method on animal performance and diet digestibility. Corn residue harvest methods used in these experiments were low-stem, high-stem, and conventional. Steers had greater ADG when fed low-stem in a growing diet compared to high-stem and conventional residues. Addition of supplemental RUP to corn-residue based diets resulted in greater ADG and G:F in steers. Digestibility of DM, OM, and NDF were greatest in lambs fed diets containing low-stem residue. Low-stem residue had greater digestible energy (DE) compared to high-stem and conventional, which did not differ. Lastly, a study was conducted to compare the drying method of fecal samples and its effect on subsequent lab analysis. Fecal samples were dried utilizing 1 of 3 methods: 1) 60°C forced air oven for 72 h; 2) 100°C forced-air oven for 72 h; or 3) freeze dried. No effect on OM content was observed. Fecal samples dried at 100°C had greatest fiber content. No effects on digestibility of OM or fiber were observed among drying methods. Advisor: James C. MacDonal