Mixtures of whole shelled corn and whole wheat as rations for finishing beef cattle

The data collected in this study were from 64 Hereford yearling steers (Trial I) and 60 yearling Angus heifers (Trial II). These animals were fed all-grain finishing rations consisting of varying levels of corn and wheat. The rations consisted of (l) l00% whole shelled corn, (2) 80% whole shelled corn and 20% whole wheat, (3) 60% whole shelled corn and 40% whole wheat, (4) 40% whole shelled corn and 60% whole wheat. All rations were top-dressed with Tend-R-Leen in varying amounts in order to maintain a constant crude protein level in each treatment (ration).

Live animal and carcass variables were collected for these two trials. The live animal variables were final weight, average daily gain, feed efficiency and daily feed comsumption. The carcass variables were hot carcass weight, adjusted fat thickness, longissimus muscle area, percentage kidney, heart and pelvic fat, USDA quality and USDA yield grade.

Results from Trial I indicated that wheat may be substituted in rations of finishing beef animals at levels as high as 60% without a detrimental effect upon live animal or carcass variables. No significant differences were shown among the four treatments in this trial.

Carcass data from Trial I also indicated no significant differences among treatments. Levels up to 60% whole wheat substituted for corn did not significantly affect any of the carcass variables.

Results from Trial II indicated that Angus heifers fed 20% whole wheat or 60% whole wheat were significantly higher in average

daily gains and feed efficiency than the l00% whole shelled corn rations. The 40% whole wheat rations were not significantly different from the 100% whole corn rations.

Although the data from these two trials did not totally agree, it does indicate that wheat may be fed whole and substituted for a portion of the whole shelled corn in an all-concentrate-all whole grain ration. Additionally, the higher protein content of wheat in comparison to corn can be an advantage as less supplemental protein was fed with the higher wheat rations and the performance was not significantly less than the l00% corn rations in any case.

The reasons the Angus heifers had superior gains to Hereford steers which include breed, season of year cattle were fed, or a variation in the length of feeding period, cannot be explained from these data.