Nutrient Composition, Use and Limitations of Commonly Available Feedstuffs.

Grains

Corn DM%90 CP%9 TDN%88 Fat%3 Ca%.03 P%.31 Comments: Use for supplement (energy deficiency) Use for high energy growing diets Can be fed whole > 0.5% BW reduces forage intake/ digestibility High concentrate diets should be checked for Ca:P imbalance Moisture and Aflatoxin should be considered before purchasing directly from a farm. Reported on Dry matter basis.

Soybeans Comments: Can be used for supplemental protein or energy Usually limited to 20% diet to keep fat from being excessive Can be fed whole to ruminants Grinding may result in rancidity during warmer weather. Do not mix ground soybeans with urea containing feeds Dietary Ca : P imbalance possible. DM%90 CP%40 TDN%94 Fat%18 Ca%.27 P%.65 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Wheat Comments: Not very common Use as an energy source. > 0.5% BW reduces forage intake/ digestibility Digestibility is usually better with coarsely ground vs. whole wheat. Avoid grinding to a flour. Keep feeding rates less than 1% BW to help prevent acidosis. Dietary Ca:P imbalance possible DM%89 CP%14 TDN%88 Fat%2 Ca%.05 P%.44 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Milo Comments: Being used in some areas of the state Used as an energy source Should be ground before feeding > 0.5% BW reduces forage intake/ digestibility Dietary Ca:P imbalance possible DM%90 CP%11 TDN%82 Fat%3 Ca%.04 P%.34 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Rice Comments: Sometimes used in AR when prices are cheap Used as an energy source Must be ground before feeding > 0.5% BW may reduce forage intake/ digestibility Dietary Ca:P imbalance possible DM%89 CP%9 TDN%79 Fat%2 Ca%.07 P%.36 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Oats Comments: Usually too expensive to use alone for beef cattle Good fiber levels reduces chances of digestive disorders Popular for horse diets Can be fed whole Dietary Ca:P imbalance possible DM%89 CP%14 TDN%77 Fat%4 Ca%.09 P%.41 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Cottonseed Comments: Sometimes cost prohibitive Can be used for protein and energy supplementation Can be fed whole Usually limited to 20% of the diet to prevent excessive fat consumption Dietary Ca:P imbalance possible Mature bulls should not consume over 15% (gossypol concerns) DM%92 CP%24 TDN%90 Fat%18 Ca%.17 P%.62 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Protein Meals

Cottonseed Meal Comments: Byproduct of cottonseed oil extraction Good source of supplemental protein Usually more economical than soybean meal for beef cattle diets Avoid feeding to developing replacement bulls unless tested for free gossypol levels. DM%92 CP%46 TDN%75 Fat%3 Ca%.2 P%1.2 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Soybean meal Comments: Byproduct of soybean oil extraction Good source of supplemental protein with good levels of rumen degradable protein Usually too expensive for beef cattle when compared to other protein sources DM%90 CP%54 TDN%87 Fat%2 Ca%.29 P%.71 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Peanut Meal Comments: Byproduct of peanut oil extraction Sometimes observed in SW AR Source of supplemental protein Make sure it is low in aflatoxin DM%92 CP%53 TDN%77 Fat%2 Ca%.32 P%.66 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Corn Gluten Meal Comments: Byproduct of wet corn milling (corn syrup) High bypass protein content Not commonly used in AR DM%91 CP%66 TDN%89 Fat%3 Ca%.07 P%.61 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Byproduct Feeds

Peanut Hulls Comments: High fiber, poor digestibility usually limits level of inclusion to providing a low level roughage source or dilute high energy diets for greater intake rates. Coarsely ground hulls are preferred for effective fiber. Ground then pelleted hulls are a filler with no fiber to stimulate rumination. DM%92 CP%6 TDN%20 Fat%2 Ca%.26 P%.07 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Rice Hulls Comments: High fiber, poor digestibility Must be ground to prevent irritation to the digestive tract. Keep at 15% or less of the diet. Use to adjust energy levels of forage substitution rations. DM%92 CP%3 TDN%12 Fat%1 Ca%.12 P%.07 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Cottonseed hulls Comments: Source of roughage Fed with other protein and energy dense feeds Low in protein and energy Cattle readily consume DM%90 CP%4 TDN%42 Fat%2 Ca%.15 P%.09 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Rice mill feed Comments: Combination of rice bran and rice hulls Low protein and energy feed Can be used to replace broiler litter Must be fed with other protein and energy dense feeds Long-stem fiber or cottonseed hulls should be used at no less than 10% of the diet to help promote rumen health. Dietary Ca:P imbalance possible DM%91 CP%7 TDN%48 Fat%6 Ca%.08 P%0.6 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Broiler Litter Comments: Feeding practices currently being debated Usually mixed with corn or soybean hulls 50:50 for growing cattle, or with 25 to 35% corn for gestating and lactating cows. Intake should be reduced 50% 30 days prior to calving to reduce incidence of milk fever DM%80 CP%23 TDN%50 Fat%2 Ca%2.9 P%1.6 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Rice bran Comments: Brown layer removed to make white rice Works well for balancing diets where some hay substitution is acceptable or desirable. Full fat should be limited to 20% diet Dietary Ca:P imbalance possible. Some mills produce high Ca rice bran as a result of using limestone for bran removal Cattle offered Free choice full fat bran consumed 1% BW w/Fat w/o Fat DM%9188 CP%1416 TDN%7056 Fat%153 Ca%.1.1 P%1.732 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Soybean hulls Comments: Moderate levels of protein and energy When fed at < 0.5% BW it is estimated to be 88% TDN Compliments forage digestion May be fed free choice to growing cattle (appr. 2 lb/d gain) but watch for bloating with pelleted hulls DM%91 CP%12 TDN%80 Fat%2 Ca%.5 P%.2 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Hominy Comments: Byproduct of grit or corn meal manufacturing Feeds like corn High fat level may limit inclusion rate to 40% of the diet Dietary Ca:P imbalance possible DM%90 CP%12 TDN%91 Fat%7 Ca%.05 P%.57 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Wheat Middlings Comments: Byproduct of wheat flour milling Good combination source of protein and energy. Starch content may vary. Dietary Ca:P imbalance possible DM%89 CP%18 TDN%83 Fat%3 Ca%.15 P%1 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Corn Gluten Feed Comments: Byproduct of wet corn milling (corn syrup) Good combination of protein and energy Suggested feeding rate usually limited to less than 40% of the diet because of potentially high sulfur levels. DM%90 CP%24 TDN%80 Fat%4 Ca%.07 P%.95 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Dried Distillers Grains w/ solubles Comments: Byproduct of dry corn milling (Ethanol) Cost usually limits use to correcting protein deficiencies. High in Rumen Undegradable Protein – but protein is readily digestible. High S may limit desired feeding rate as well DM%90 CP%30 TDN%90 Fat%10 Ca%.26 P%.83 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Brewers Grains Comments: Feeding usually restricted to northern AR because of delivery costs. Turnover rate must be high to prevent spoilage in summer. Dietary Ca:P imbalance possible DM%21 CP%26 TDN%70 Fat%6 Ca%.29 P%.7 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Peanut Skins Comments: High fat, moderate energy limits use for on-farm feed manufacturing. High fat usually limits to less than 15% of the diet; however, researchers in Alabama have fed up to 40% with little problem. Tannins results in low protein digestibility Storage can be a problem. High moisture skins can lead to spontaneous combustion. DM%92 CP%17 TDN%66 Fat%22 Ca%.19 P%.2 Reported on Dry matter basis.

Other Alternatives Grain screenings Potato chips Bakery waste Candy waste Cannery (vegetable) waste

Combinations Formulate for balance Avoid selecting multiple ingredients that are: High in protein (ex. Corn gluten and cottonseed meal) High in fat (ex. Rice bran and hominy) High fiber but low digesbility (ex. rice mill feed and peanut hulls) High in Sulfur (ex. corn gluten feed, distillers grains, and molasses)