Using a 100% Extruded DDGS Cube on Steers Grazing Native Range.

Abstract A 2-year trial was conducted at the Marvin Klemme Range Research Station in Bessie, OK, to analyze the effects of supplementing steers on native range with extruded 100% DDGS cubes (MasterHand Milling, Lexington, NE). Two main plot treatments were: Positive Control (PC, 249 ± 3.5 kg) supplemented with DDGS cubes at 1.8 kg/steer on alternate days only in late summer stocked at 2.5 ha/steer and High Supplement (HS, 247 ± 3.5 kg),1/3 increase in stocking rate with 0.75% of BW supplement rate with DDGS cubes 5 days per week for the entire duration of the season. For both years all steers were implanted with 200 mg progesterone and 20 mg estradiol benzoate (Synovex S, Zoetis Animal Health) upon arrival. Three reimplant treatments were applied in mid-summer: 1) no reimplant; 2) Synovex S; or 3) 40 mg trenbolone acetate and 8 mg estradiol (Revalor G, Merck Animal Health). In each pasture, 1/3 of the steers received each reimplant treatment. Steers grazed from mid to late May to late September in both 2019 and 2020. Data recorded for both years were combined and were analyzed using the PROC MIXED in SAS as a split-plot experimental design, with supplement treatment in the main plot and mid-season reimplant in the split plot. Early season ADG for HS was 0.36 kg greater (P < 0.01) than PC. However, late season ADG did not differ (P ≥ 0.81). Gain per hectare was 43.3 kg greater (P < 0.01) for HS as compared to PC. Results from this 2-year trial show that the use of an extruded 100% DDGS cube is a viable option to successfully increase stocking while not only minimizing the potential lack of performance on an individual animal basis, but instead increased the performance of these animals in western Oklahoma. More research needs to be done to determine the effect on range condition.