Effects of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles Supplementation to Yearling Heifers Grazing Northern Great Plains Rangeland: Impacts on Subsequent Feedlot Performance and Meat Quality

Abstract

Eighty two yearling heifers (319.5 ± 1.03 kg) were utilized in a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) supplementation on animal performance while grazing on rangeland of the Northern Great Plains; and subsequent feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality traits. Treatments were 1) 0% DDGS supplementation (CONT) or 2) 0.6% of BW DDGS supplementation (SUP). Heifers received treatments for 70 d while grazing then acclimated to and fed a common corn based finishing diet for 109 d. Carcass characteristics were assessed by trained personnel, and strip loins were transported back to North Dakota State University for retail display life, tenderness determination, and trained sensory panel. Supplementation of DDGS during grazing improved ADG of yearling heifers with no effect on feedlot performance or carcass characteristics, but did improve tenderness and steak sensory attributes.