Diets fed to Northern Plains steers are typically 12 to 13% CP and are based upon corn. Methionine and lysine are the two-first limiting amino acids in most diets fed to growing cattle. Corn and corn co-products are high in methionine, but low in lysine. Soybean based feed products contain lower levels of methionine, but have much greater levels of lysine. Growing cattle require increased quality and quantity of metabolizable protein compared to older, more mature animals, where supplemental N in the form of urea is often fed. Beef cattle genetics raised in the Northern Plains have benefited from enhanced genetic selection for growth, suggesting that cattle from this region may have an even greater response to enhanced amino acid supply. This highlights an area of needed research to explore the potential benefits of enhanced metabolizable protein supply for growing cattle using a consistent and uniform feed ingredient such as non-enzymatically browned soybean meal. There are approximately 1.8 million growing and finishing cattle on feed in all of South Dakota and the area contained in a 150 mile radius of Sioux Falls. If soybean meal was included at 2.0 pounds per day fed to only 50% of the regional GROWING cattle inventory, total disappearance would equal approximately 139,500 tons annually compared to current conditions where little to no non-enzymatically browned soybean meal is being used in this sector. A main consumer of U.S. Soybeans has made a nation-wide effort to reduce dependence of imported protein feeds used to support livestock production. Access to this market would have a direct impact to South Dakota soybean farmers allowing for enhanced marketing opportunities locally without dependence on foreign export markets.

The objective of this experiment is to determine the apparent net energy value of NEBSBM and its usefulness in replacement of corn-distillers grains as a method to enhance the metabolizable protein supply of growing cattle to increase rate of gain and enhance feed conversion efficiency.

South Dakota State University maintains a robust network for the distribution of research, management and industry findings for researchers, industry leaders and livestock producers throughout the United States. Results of this project will be disseminated through various channels to capture the widest audience possible. Dissemination of results will occur through written distribution, web-based resources, and person-to-person distribution. Target audiences include soybean producers and cattle feeders as well as industry professionals who provide nutritional and management recommendations to cattle feeders. Written distribution of results will occur via one peer-reviewed journal publication, one M.S. thesis, through SDSU Extension internet resources, and at the Annual Southeast Research Farm Field Day Program. Written Extension resources from SDSU have also been reprinted by national agricultural media outlets including Drovers and Feedstuffs, which greatly increases the reach of our research efforts. Results of this project will be disseminated regionally through person-to-person interaction at the SDSU feedlot extension short course, field days and other Extension programs. The NCCC-308 coordinating committee meeting, the Plains Nutrition Council Spring Conference, and Midwest Animal Science meetings will reach a national and international audience of feedlot consultants and researchers.

Project deliverables include: Abstracts for national meetings (2) and Peer-reviewed manuscript (1). Completion of degree requirements for a graduate assistant (1) and multiple extension and research outreach events.

Updated October 24, 2022:
This study is intended to start in winter of 22/23. One graduate student (PhD student) has been successfully recruited to assist the PD and Co-PD with the completion of this study. A preliminary growth performance update will be provided during the next progress reporting period.

Updated January 30, 2023:
This study is slated to begin the week of February 6, 2023. All cattle needed to conduct this experiment are on hand and the NEBSBM has been secured and is on hand. A preliminary growth performance update will be provided during the next progress reporting period.

Updated April 24, 2023:
The project was initiated on 10Feb2023. Charolais x Angus steers (n = 144 steers; initial BW = 880 lbs) were enrolled in to one of 18 pens (n = 6 replicates/treatment). Steers were weighed initially (d 1) for allotment purposes, then again on d 28 and d 70. Interim period growth performance (d 1 to 28 and d 29 to 70) as well as cumulative growth performance (d 1 to 70) can be found in Table 1 (attachment: ZS2350_perf d 70.pdf). on d 28 steers fed increasing amounts of NEBSBM tended to have greater BW by 1.1% and ADG by 12.0% (linear effect; P LE 0.08). During the initial 28 d daily DMI was increased by 2.4% (linear effect; P LT 0.05) when NEBSBM replaced DDGS. From d 1 to 28, no appreciable difference for feed conversion was noted. On d 70, BW and DMI was increased by 1.3% and 4.1 %, respectively (linear effect; P LE 0.02) for cattle fed greater amounts of NEBSMB in replacement of DDGS. Daily gain tended to increase by 2.5% (linear effect; P LT 0.06). From d 29 to 70, no appreciable difference for feed conversion was noted. Cumulative growth performance (d 1 to 70) indicated that ADG and DMI were greater by 5.9% and 2.1%, respectively (linear effect; P LE 0.05) when NEBSBM replaced DDGS in the finishing diet, with no change in feed conversion. These data indicate that NEBSBM is a superior source of metabolizable protein for finishing beef steers during the initial 70 d feedlot finishing period. Application of use will be dependent upon price compared to DDGS. The steers are currently slated for harvest (to collect carcass outcome data) in early to mid-July.

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Updated July 25, 2023:
Interim as well as cumulative growth (live and carcass-adjusted) performance can be found in Table 1 (attachment: ZS2350_perf d 150.pdf). On d 150 steers fed increasing amounts of NEBSBM had greater live BW by 2.2% and ADG by 5.9% (linear effect; P LE 0.04). When NEBSBM replaced DDGS in the finishing diet, cumulative DMI tended to increase (linear effect; P LE 0.07), resulting in no appreciable change in feed conversion (linear effect; P LE 0.11). HCW increased as NEBSBM increased (linear effect; P LE 0.02). Dressing %, REA, RF, marbling, yield grade, nor retail yield were influenced by NEBSBM (P LE 0.17). Estimated EBF tended (linear effect; P LE 0.09) to increase as NEBSBM inclusion was increased. These data indicate that NEBSBM is a superior source of metabolizable protein for finishing beef steers during the feedlot finishing period when diet conditioning attributes of soy-based and corn-based ingredients are similar. Application of use will be dependent upon price compared to DDGS.

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Updated October 6, 2023:

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This study evaluated the use of extruded and expelled soybean meal (EESBM) as a partial replacement (30 or 60% replacement) of dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS; 15% inclusion DM basis) in diets offered to finishing beef steers. Steers (n = 144 steers; 880 lbs initially) were used in 150 d feedlot finishing trial. Steers were group housed in 18 pens (n = 8 steers/pen) and allocated to one of three dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design (n =6 pens/treatment). Treatments included: 1) a finishing diet that included 15% DDGS; 2) a finishing diet that included 30% replacement of DDGS with EESBM, and 3) a finishing diet that included 60% replacement of DDGS with EESBM. Cattle were implanted with a 200 mg trenbolone acetate and 28 mg estradiol benzoate implant on d 28, and no beta-adrenergic agonist was fed. Steers were fed twice daily and managed under conditions that mimic Northern Plains feedlot production systems. Dry matter intake linearly increased when EESBM replaced DDGS. Average daily gain and gain efficiency (both live basis shrunk 4% and from HCW/0.625), as well as hot carcass weight were linearly increased with greater inclusion of EESBM. No other carcass traits outcomes, nor the distribution of USDA Yield and Quality grade, lung scores or liver health outcomes were influenced by dietary treatment. In conclusion, EESBM in replacement of DDGS results in greater intake, improved efficiency, and greater final body weight and carcass weight with no detriment to carcass yield or quality outcomes.

There are approximately 1.8 million growing and finishing cattle on feed in all of South Dakota and the area contained in a 150 mile radius of Sioux Falls. If soybean meal was included at 2.0 pounds per day fed to only 50% of the regional GROWING cattle inventory, total disappearance would equal approximately 139,500 tons annually compared to current conditions where little to no non-enzymatically browned soybean meal is being used in this sector. A main consumer of U.S. Soybeans has made a nation-wide effort to reduce dependence of imported protein feeds used to support livestock production. Access to this market would have a direct impact to South Dakota soybean farmers allowing for enhanced marketing opportunities locally without dependence on foreign export markets.