Effect of Corn Processing and Reconstitution in High Grain Diets on Feedlot Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Steers and Heifers

A 167-day feedlot trial was conducted to examine the effects of corn processing and reconstitution on growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle. Initial weights of the continental cross steers (n = 95) and heifers (n =63) were 690 and 680 Ib, respectively. Diets were 84.5% corn, 7.0% ground grass hay, 4.9% soybean meal, and 3.6% liquid supplement. The grain component of the diet was either dry whole corn (WC), dry rolled corn (RC), corn reconstituted at least 12 h before rolling (RRC), or corn reconstituted with a commercial surfactant3 at least 12 hours before rolling (CRC). Monensin and tylosin were included at 26.9 and 11 .O g/ton, respectively. Dry matter content of the WC, RC, RRC, and CRC diets were 85.62, 85.03, 80.98, and 80.96%, respectively. Dietary treatment had no effect on the feedlot performance of the steers or heifers. Yield grade (YG) was lower (P= .05) for CRC than for RRC cattle (2.96 vs 3.27). Kidney pelvic and heart fat (KPH) was lower (Pc.05) for RC (2.30%) and CRC (2.29%) than for WC (2.48%) and RRC (2.56%) cattle. KPH and YG were the only measured variable affected by dietary treatment indicating little advantage to any of the corn processing methods tested