Use of Corn Co-products in Soybean Hull-based Feedlot Receiving Diets

The use of different supplemental protein sources with soybean hulls in receiving cattle diets were evaluated using 200 Angus steer calves. Diets contained either corn and soybean meal (C-SBM), or soybean hulls with soybean meal (H-SBM), dried corn gluten feed (H-DCGF) or dried distillers grains plus solubles (H-DDGS). The replacement of corn (C-SBM) with soybean hulls (H-SBM) stimulated intake within the first 14 d of the receiving period and throughout the entire growing period (52 d). Supplementing soybean hulls with corn origin protein (COP) versus soybean meal did not result in any performance differences throughout the feeding period. Within the COP sources, H-DDGS improved daily gain during the initial 28 d, while H-DCGF stimulated intake during the final 24 d on feed. This would indicate that H-DCGF may potentially have a positive impact on steer performance when fed beyond 52 d in the growing period. No differences in health status were detected; morbidity and mortality rates averaged 11.1% and 0.5%, respectively. Blood metabolite status indicated that changes in the site of protein degradability influence urea nitrogen levels, whereas H-DCGF seemed to supply greater substrate for glucose production compared to H-DDGS. The results indicate that the replacement of corn with soybean hulls is feasible from a performance stand point. Soybean hulls can be supplemented with soybean meal, dried corn gluten feed or dried distillers grains plus solubles without compromising gain performance