Effects of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles as a Protein Source in a Creep Feed. 1. Suckling Calf and Dam Performance

A 2- yr study was performed to evaluate the effect of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) vs. soybean meal (SBM) as the protein source in a creep feed. Thirty-six steer calves were used in each of the 2 yr to compare the performance of traditionally noncreep-fed, control weaned calves with those offered creep feed with either DDGS or SBM beginning 68 d prior to weaning. The creep supplements consisted of a 2:1 ratio of soy hulls and cracked corn with the protein source. In yr 1 and 2, creepfed steers had greater (P < 0.01) ADG than noncreep-fed steers (1.0 vs. 0.7 kg/d and 1.0 vs. 0.9 kg/d in yr 1 and 2, respectively); however, weaning weights were only greater (P < 0.05) in yr 1 (231.0 vs. 206.0 kg, respectively). In both years, protein source had no effect (P > 0.10) on ADG, supplemental DMI, and supplemental feed efficiency. In yr 1, cost per kilogram of supplemental gain for DDGS tended to be less (P < 0.10) than SBM steers ($0.89 vs. $1.07, respectively).In spite of this fact, the total supplemental feed cost was lower (P < 0.01) in yr 2 for DDGS vs. SBM steers ($13.88 vs. $18.30 per head, respectively), even though supplemental DMI and supplemental gain were not different between treatments. In conclusion, when used in a creep feed, DDGS provided similar performance at a lower cost as compared with SBM; both protein sources in a creep ration increased ADG of calves.