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Lignin peroxidase production by Streptomyces viridosporus T7A: use of corn oil as a carbon source.

Lignin peroxidase (LiP) production cost should be reduced to justify its use in the control of environmental pollution. In this work, we studied the enzyme production by Streptomyces viridosporus T7A using glucose or corn oil as a carbon source having 0.65% yeast extract as a nitrogen source. Enzyme activity, observed using either 0.65% glucose or corn oil at 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% concentration, was 300, 150, 300, and 200 U/L, respectively. Although higher enzyme activity was obtained in both media containing 0.65% glucose and 0.5% corn oil, the use of corn oil resulted in a better LiP stability. When combined carbon sources were used, higher values of enzyme activity (360, 350, and 225 U/L) were observed in media with 0.65% glucose and supplemented with 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% corn oil, respectively. Although the presence of both glucose and 0.5% corn oil is favorable for LiP production, satisfactory results in terms of enzyme production and stability could be also observed using 0.5% corn oil as a sole carbon source, which may lead to reduced production costs of the LiP enzyme.

Journal Article↗

Metabolism of herbicides by cytochrome P450 in corn.

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450) have long been considered a potentially important enzyme system for the detoxification of herbicides in corn and other crop plants. Only recently has herbicide metabolism by P450 in corn microsomes been conclusively demonstrated. Fourteen herbicides in six chemical families have been shown to be metabolized by P450 in corn. P450 is now considered of equal importance to glutathione S-transferases for the metabolism of herbicides in corn. P450 metabolism of herbicides in corn is characterized as an inducible enzyme activity which primarily catalyses hydroxylations and demethylations of the herbicide substrates. Induction of the herbicide metabolizing activity is specific, with only slight changes in the total P450 level accompanying several-fold induction of herbicide metabolism. Turnover rates for herbicide metabolism can equal those for drug metabolism. Microsomes isolated from both shoots and roots metabolize herbicides, although the majority of activities are most fully characterized in microsomes isolated from shoots of young etiolated seedlings. Many questions concerning the P450 metabolism of herbicides in corn remain. These include determining how many P450s are involved in herbicide metabolism and how their levels are regulated. Evidence is gathering that, for a number of the herbicides presently known to be metabolized by P450 in corn, there may be relatively few or even one P450 which metabolizes all the herbicide substrates.

Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Comparison of adult corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) sampling methods.

Studies were conducted in Kansas corn and soybean fields during 1997 to compare various sampling methods, traps, and trap components for capturing three species of adult corn rootworms: western (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Leconte), southern (D. undecimpunctata howardi Barber), and northern (D. barberi Smith & Lawrence). Lure constituents affected the species of beetle attracted to the trap. Traps with a lure containing 4-methoxycinnamaldehyde attracted more western corn rootworms, those with a lure containing eugenol were more attractive to northern corn rootworms, and those containing trans-cinnamaldehyde were most attractive to southern corn rootworms. Multigard sticky traps caught more beetles than did Pherocon AM sticky traps. In corn, a newly designed lure trap caught more beetles than did sticky traps on most occasions. Also, lure-baited sticky traps caught more beetles than did nonbaited sticky traps. Varying the color of the lure trap bottom did not affect the number caught. In soybeans, the new lure traps captured more beetles than did the nonbaited Multigard or Pherocon AM sticky traps. Results of this study suggest the new lure trap may provide a more accurate assessment of corn rootworm populations than traditional monitoring techniques and may be more esthetically pleasing to growers and consultants.

Acrolein↗

Effects of transgenic bt corn on growth and development of the stalk borer Papaipema nebris (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

This study assessed the efficacy of two different genetic events, event Bt 11 (CrylAb) and event CBH351 (Cry 9C), in Bt corn against two instar classes of the stalk borer Papaipema nebris across three different plant stages (V1, V3, and V5) of corn, Zea mays. Class A includes instars 1 and 2, and class B includes instars 3 and 4. Stalk borer response and development over time were measured, and the data from 1999 and 2000 show that the Bt corn does have some effect on the feeding and development of P. nebris. Injury to the corn plant was reduced, although not eliminated. Stalk borer larvae caused significantly (P = 0.0001) more injury to the non-Bt plants than to the Bt plants over time. Growth and development of the larvae were slowed and mortality was higher for Bt corn than for non-Bt corn. These data suggest that planting Bt corn may benefit growers by reducing, but not eliminating, stalk borer infestations and subsequent plant injury.

Animals↗

Bt sweet corn and selective insecticides: impacts on pests and predators.

Sweet corn, Zea mays L., is attacked by a variety of insect pests that can cause severe losses to the producer. Current control practices are largely limited to the application of broad-spectrum insecticides that can have a substantial and deleterious impact on the natural enemy complex. Predators have been shown to provide partial control of sweet corn pests when not killed by broad-spectrum insecticides. New products that specifically target the pest species, while being relatively benign to other insects, could provide more integrated control. In field trials we found that transgenic Bt sweet corn, and the foliar insecticides indoxacarb and spinosad are all less toxic to the most abundant predators in sweet corn (Coleomegilla maculate [DeGeer], Harmonia axyridis [Pallas], and Orius insidiosus [Sav]) than the pyrethroid lambda cyhalothrin. Indoxacarb, however, was moderately toxic to coccinellids and spinosad and indoxacarb were somewhat toxic to O. insidiosus nymphs at field rates. Bt sweet corn and spinosad were able to provide control of the lepidopteran pests better than or equal to lambda cyhalothrin. The choice of insecticide material made a significant impact on survival of the pests and predators, while the frequency of application mainly affected the pests and the rate applied had little effect on either pests or predators. These results demonstrate that some of the new products available in sweet corn allow a truly integrated biological and chemical pest control program in sweet corn, making future advances in conservation, augmentation and classical biological control more feasible.

Animals↗

Evaluation of thiamethoxam and imidacloprid as seed treatments to control European corn borer and Indianmeal moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae.

Efficacy of thiamethoxam (Cruiser) and imidacloprid (Gaucho) were evaluated as seed treatments for controlling European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) and Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) larvae in stored grain. At approximately 22-26 degrees C, all fifth instar European corn borers died after two or 4 d of exposure to corn treated with 250 and 500 ppm thiamethoxam, respectively, while mortality of larvae exposed for two and 4 d on corn treated with 6.3-937.5 ppm imidacloprid did not exceed 48% at any concentration. At 29 degrees C, all nondiapausing fifth instars were killed after 3, 4, and 6-d exposure to 400, 300 and 200-ppm thiamethoxam, respectively, while survival increased at successively lower concentrations of 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 ppm. At 29 degrees C, the LC50 decreased from 85.9 to 7.2 ppm as the duration of exposure on treated corn increased from 2 to 6 d. All second and third instar Indianmeal moth larvae died after a 5 d exposure period to corn grain treated with thiamethoxam at 50 ppm or higher, but as the larvae aged, higher concentrations and longer exposure periods were required to give 100% mortality of each larval instar. Similar results were obtained when larval Indianmeal moths were exposed on corn treated with imidacloprid, or on sorghum treated with thiamethoxam. Mature wandering phase fifth instars were the most tolerant larval stage of the Indianmeal moth.

Animals↗

The flow of undigested corn residues through the gastrointestinal tract of cattle.

Two experiments were conducted to measure effects of source and level of roughage on the flow of corn residues through the gastrointestinal tract of cattle. In Exp. 1, steers (195 kg) were fed diets of ground corn with 0, 30 or 60% of ground Coastal bermudagrass hay (Cynodon dactylon) [L.] Pers.) at intakes of 1, 1.5 or 2% of BW in a 9 x 9 Latin square. Experiment 2 consisted of two 4 x 4 Latin squares with either rice hulls (square 1) or ground Coastal bermudagrass hay (square 2) providing 0, 7.5, 15 or 30% of the total diet fed at 1.5% of BW. After a 28-d adjustment period, a portion of the corn in one meal was replaced with cracked corn stained with brilliant green. The concentrations of stained corn residues appearing in the feces subsequent to dosing were fitted to a one-compartment, age-dependent model and compartmental mean residence time (CMRT) and time delay (tau) were estimated. In Exp. 1, increasing the level of intake of the ration from 1% to 1.5 or 2.0% of BW increased (P less than .05) CMRT by 52% and reduced (P less than .05) tau by 41%. In Exp. 2, source of roughage had no effect (P = .95) on CMRT or tau. Combined results of the two experiments indicated that increasing proportion (P) of either roughage was associated with an exponential decline in CMRT of stained corn residues (CMRT = 1211 * e-.0315P) from rations consumed at 1.5 and 2.0% of BW. No consistent effect of roughage type or proportion was noted on time delay in the two experiments collectively. These results indicate that increasing the proportion of roughage in the diet exponentially reduces residence time of corn residues in the ruminoreticulum (CMRT) without affecting residence time in the postgastric segments (tau).

Analysis of Variance↗

Optimum particle size of corn and hard and soft sorghum for nursery pigs.

A total of 240 weanling pigs (22 d of age and 5.3 kg average BW) were used to determine the effects of particle size of corn and two sorghum hybrids on diet processing, growth performance, apparent digestibility of nutrients, and morphology of the stomach and intestines in weanling pigs. Treatments were corn, hard endosperm sorghum, and soft endosperm sorghum milled to particle sizes (geometric mean) of 900, 700, 500, and 300 microns, in a 3 x 4 factorial arrangement. All diets were pelleted and the pigs were allowed to consume feed and water on an ad libitum basis. As particle size was reduced, production rate (tons/hour) decreased and energy required to mill (kilowatt hours/ton) increased. Corn required more energy to mill and had a lower production rate than the sorghums. For d 0 to 14, ADG and gain/feed increased linearly (P < .009 and P < .002, respectively) as particle size was decreased to 300 microns. However, there was a grain source x particle size interaction; pigs fed corn responded to particle size reduction more than pigs fed the sorghums (P < .04). For d 0 to 35, pigs fed diets with corn grew 23% faster and were 6% more efficient (P < .001) than pigs fed diets with sorghum. Gain/feed responded quadratically to reduction of particle size (P < .01), with maximum gain/feed at 500 microns for all grains. Lowest cost of gain (including milling and ingredient costs) was achieved at 500 to 700 microns for corn and 500 microns for the hard and soft sorghums. These data suggest that response to reducing particle size is greatest during the first 2 wk postweaning and that optimal particle size for corn and sorghums increases with age of nursery pigs.

Amino Acids↗

Effects of feed intake and dietary level of wet corn gluten feed on feedlot performance, digestibility of nutrients, and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing beef heifers.

The objective was to compare the relative energy value of wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) to that of corn in a feedlot situation when diets were initially offered ad libitum (AL) or at restricted feed intake (RFI; 80% of AL). In a completely randomized block (pen location) design experiment, 144 beef heifers (204.1 +/- 18.2 kg) were used (six treatments; three pens of eight heifers/treatment). Treatments were levels of WCGF (on DM basis) in corn silage-based diets (AL; 25 or 50% WCGF) or high-moisture corn-based diets (RFI; 0, 25, 50, or 75% WCGF) during the growing phase (127 d). During finishing (84 d), all diets were offered AL and contained 5% corn silage by replacing corn silage with high-moisture corn in diets that were offered AL. Heifers that were initially at AL had similar (P > .1) feedlot performance (during growing and during the whole trial), digestibility of nutrients (OM, NDF, CP, and GE), and carcass characteristics. During finishing, however, these heifers had better (P = .06) ADG and gain:feed when 25% WCGF was fed. Heifers that were initially at RFI showed a linear decrease (P < .01) in ADG and gain:feed during growing with increasing dietary level of WCGF. However, increasing dietary level of WCGF resulted in a quadratic (P = .02) response in ADG and gain:feed during finishing and also in a quadratic (P = .07) response in ADG and a linear (P = .005) decrease in gain:feed during the whole trial. These quadratic responses indicated that the best performance was achieved at the 25 and 50% levels of WCGF. The decrease in cumulative gain:feed was only 3.5% at the 25 and 50% levels of WCGF but it was 11.4% at the 75% level. Increasing the level of WCGF in diets of heifers that were initially at restricted feed intake did not affect (P > .1) digestibility of nutrients but it improved some carcass characteristics linearly, decreasing fat thickness (P = .04), liver abscess (P = .02), and yield grade (P = .13). Results suggest that WCGF can substitute up to 25 or 50% of dietary DM without negative effects on feedlot performance, digestibility of nutrients, or carcass characteristics. In addition, restricting feeding during growing may be strategy that improves the utilization of WCGF at these levels.

Animal Feed↗

Effect of corn hybrid and grain processing method on rate of starch disappearance and performance of finishing cattle.

Two trials evaluated the effects of different corn hybrids on in vitro rate of starch disappearance and finishing cattle performance. Hybrids were selected, based on in vitro rate of starch disappearance (A = fastest, B = intermediate, C = slowest). In Trial 1, hybrids A and B were fed as dry-rolled and early-harvested, high-moisture (28%) corn and hybrid C was fed as dry-rolled corn. Cattle fed dry-rolled hybrid A gained faster (P < .10) and more efficiently (P < .10) than cattle fed dry-rolled hybrids B and C. No differences were observed in DMI, quality grade, or fat thickness among hybrids fed dry-rolled. Dry matter intake was lower (P < .10) and feed efficiency was improved (P < .10) for cattle fed corn hybrids A and B as high-moisture corn compared with those same hybrids fed dry-rolled. In Trial 2, hybrids A, B, and C were fed as dry-rolled and early-harvested, high-moisture (29, 28, and 29% moisture, respectively) corn. Performance and carcass measurements were not affected by hybrid fed. Cattle fed high-moisture corn gained faster (P < .10), consumed less DM (P < .01), and were more efficient (P < .01) than cattle fed the same hybrids dry-rolled. Across trials, hybrids, and processing methods, in vitro rate of starch disappearance was correlated with feed efficiency (r2 = .58, P < .001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗

Effects of reducing particle size of corn in lactation diets on energy and nitrogen metabolism in second-parity sows.

Thirty-eight second-parity sows were used to determine the effects of particle size of corn in lactation diets on nutrient metabolism. The sows were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet with the corn ground to targeted average particle diameters of 1,200, 900, 600, and 400 microns. Loss of BW and backfat and litter performance were not influenced by treatment (P > .10). However, as particle size was reduced from 1,200 to 400 microns, apparent digestibilities of DM (linear effect, P < .001) and N (quadratic effect, P < .007) were increased by 7 and 10%, respectively, and fecal excretions of DM and N were decreased (linear effects, P < .001) by 35 and 42%, respectively. Urinary N excretion was not affected by particle size (P > .20), but there was a trend (P < .08) for the greatest apparent biological values at the intermediate particle sizes (i.e., 900 and 600 microns). Thus, with increased apparent digestibility and no increases in urinary loss, N retention was increased by 22% as particle size of corn was reduced from 1,200 to 600 microns (quadratic effect, P < .04). Digestible energy and ME concentrations of the diets were increased as particle size of corn was reduced from 1,200 to 400 microns (linear effects, P < .001), with a ME value of 3,745 kcal/kg for the diet with corn at 400 microns compared with 3,399 kcal/kg for the diet with corn at 1,200 microns.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗

Nutrient digestibility and growth performance of pigs fed pearl millet as a replacement for corn.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the value of pearl millet grain, grown at either Purdue University or the University of Nebraska, as a substitute for corn in the diets of young pigs. In Exp. 1, 24 crossbred barrows, average initial weight of 20.7 kg, were used to evaluate nutrient digestibility of both sources of pearl millet compared with corn. Nitrogen digestibility was similar (P > .05) for corn and both sources of pearl millet. Energy and DM digestibilities were highest (P < .01) for corn, resulting in corn having a higher (P < .01) DE and ME value. Two 28-d feeding studies were conducted to evaluate the growth response of pigs when 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100% of corn was replaced with pearl millet (Exp. 2, Nebraska millet; Exp. 3, Purdue millet) and an equal-weight basis in nursery (Exp. 2) and growing (Exp. 3) diets. Experiments were designed as 2 x 5 factorials of sex and dietary treatment. In Exp. 2, 60, 10-kg crossbred pigs (barrows:gilts, 1:1) were used. During the 14-d period after weaning, and over the entire 28-d experimental period, no effect (P > .05) of dietary treatment on growth rate or feed intake was observed. However, from d 14 to 28, a quadratic response (P < .05) in growth rate and feed intake were observed from incremental substitution of pearl millet for corn. In Exp. 3, 50 crossbred pigs (barrows:gilts, 1:1) with an average initial weight of 24.3 kg were used. Rate of BW gain, feed intake, and gain:feed ratio were not affected (P > .05) by dietary treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗

Intake and digestion of low-, medium-, and high-quality grass hays by lambs receiving increasing levels of corn supplementation.

Thirty wether lambs (52.5 +/- 1.5 kg) were used in a replicated 3 x 5 factorial treatment arrangement and four periods to determine dietary intake and digestibility of three ground forages with increasing levels of supplemental ground corn. Forages were a mature, low-protein grass hay (LQH; 5.2% CP), an immature, medium-protein grass hay (MQH; 10.2% CP), and an immature, high-protein grass hay (HQH; 14.2% CP). Supplementation treatments were no supplement (NS), a protein supplement (PS), protein plus .25% BW of corn (LC), protein plus .5% BW of corn (MC), and protein plus .75% BW of corn (HC). Crude protein intake (1.4 g/kg BW) from supplements was equalized with soybean meal and corn gluten meal. Lambs were housed in metabolism crates. Supplements were fed at 0700 each morning after orts from the previous day's feeding were removed. Hay was subsequently offered at approximately the previous day's consumption plus 25%. Each of the four periods lasted 21 d. Sixteen days were allowed for diet adaptation. Feces were collected with fecal bags during d 17 to 21. Lambs receiving LQH and PS had higher forage (P < .04) and total DMI (P < .001) than lambs fed LQH and NS. Corn supplementation decreased forage intake (quadratic effect; P = .08), total intake (quadratic effect; P = .08), and increased apparent DM digestibility (linear effect; P < .04) with lambs receiving LQH. Protein supplementation did not affect forage or total DMI (P > .11), and corn supplementation did not affect total DMI (P > .20) with either MQH or HQH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗

Supplemental cracked corn or wheat bran for steers grazing endophyte-free fescue pasture: effects on live weight gain, nutrient quality, forage intake, particulate and fluid kinetics, ruminal fermentation, and digestion.

Two experiments were conducted with beef steers (Exp. 1, average BW of 580 kg; Exp. 2, average BW of 247 kg) to evaluate the use of no supplements (CON) or daily supplementation with (OM basis) .34% of BW of cracked corn (CORN), .34% of BW of wheat bran (WBBW), or .48% of BW of wheat bran (WBISO; calculated to be isocaloric to CORN) on digestive responses (Exp. 1) and live weight gain (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, type of supplement did not affect (P > .10) the dietary fiber or N constituents, but in vitro OM disappearance of the forage differed (P < .10) with supplementation and type of supplement fed. Supplemented steers consumed less (P < .05) forage and total OM. Particulate passage, fluid passage, and ruminal pH were not affected (P > .10) by supplementation. Ruminal NH3 N concentration showed (P < .05) a treatment x sampling time interaction and, in general, WBBW and WBISO steers had greater ruminal NH3 N than CORN and CON steers. Total VFA concentrations and molar proportions of propionate were lower (P < .10) in CON steers than in supplemented steers; no differences were noted (P > .10) among supplemented steers. Molar proportions of acetate were lower (P = .01) in supplemented steers than in CON steers and were greater (P = .03) in WBBW steers than in WBISO steers. Butyrate molar proportions were lower (P < .05) in CON steers than in supplemented steers and differed (P < .10) with type and quantity of supplement supplied. In situ forage NDF disappearance at 6, 9, and 24 h after feeding and rate of disappearance were greater (P < .05) in CON steers than in supplemented steers. In Exp. 2, CON steers weighed less (P = .01) than supplemented steers, CORN steers weighed more (P = .08) than wheat bran-supplemented steers, and WBISO steers weighed more (P = .02) than WBBW steers; ADG for 90 d followed a similar response. Results suggest that supplementation of wheat bran rather than corn did not seem to stop the reduction in forage intake or OM digestion associated with corn supplementation.

Ammonia↗

Effects of corn processing, dietary roughage level, and timing of roughage inclusion on performance of feedlot steers.

In Trial 1, 108 crossbred steer calves (initial BW 295 kg) were allotted to 12 pens and used in a 186-d feedlot trial to determine the effects of increasing or decreasing roughage level on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. Four dietary treatments were investigated: 1) 85% concentrate diet fed for 186 d, 2) 100% concentrate diet fed for 186 d, 3) 85% concentrate diet fed for 84 d followed by a 100% concentrate diet for the remaining 102 d, and 4) 100% concentrate diet for 84 d followed by an 85% concentrate diet for the remaining 102 d. Corn silage was added as roughage. During the first 84 d, level of dietary concentrate did not affect (P > .10) ADG. Steers switched to the 85% concentrate diet for the last 102 d had higher (P < .05) DMI than those fed the 100% concentrate diet; they did not exhibit an increase in ADG. Finishing phase feed efficiency was highest (P < .05) for steers continually fed 100% concentrate, lowest (P < .05) for steers continually fed 85% concentrate, and intermediate for steers whose concentrate level was switched during the trial. Carcass characteristics were not affected (P > .10) by concentrate level regimen. In Trial 2, 108 crossbred steer calves (initial BW 319 kg) were allotted to 12 pens and used in a 158-d trial to determine whether feedlot performance could be enhanced by manipulating roughage level and grain processing. Factors investigated were staged increases in concentrate level (70 to 85 to 100%) vs staged decreases in concentrate level (100 to 85 to 70%) and whole vs rolled high-moisture corn. Corn silage was added as roughage. Diet concentrate levels were changed on d 56 and 112. During the first 56 d, steers fed 70% concentrate diets grew 11% faster (P < .05) and consumed 19% more feed (P < .05) than those fed 100% concentrate diets. Steers fed rolled corn gained 8% faster (P < .06) and were 7% more efficient (P < .06) than those fed whole corn. During the last period (d 113 to 158), ADG was not affected (P > .10) by concentrate level or corn processing. Although increasing roughage during the feeding period increased feed intake in these trials, steer performance was not enhanced. Processing high-moisture corn did not affect feedlot performance.

Animal Feed↗

The feeding value of dry-rolled and steam-flaked corn in finishing diets for feedlot cattle: influence of protein supplementation.

We used 80 medium-framed yearling crossbred heifers (357 kg) in a 110-d trial to evaluate the influence of dietary protein level (11 vs 14%) on the feeding value of dry-rolled (DRC) and steam-flaked corn (SFC). All diets contained 1% urea; cottonseed meal (CSM) was the source of supplemental undegradable intake protein (UIP). Steam flaking corn reduced DMI (9%, P < .10) and increased (P < .01) feed efficiency (14%), dietary NEm (13%), and NEg (15%). Steam flaking increased the NEm by 17% and NEg by 19%. Supplemental CSM decreased (P < .10) feed efficiency (7%) and dietary NEm (4%) and NEg (6%). There were no treatment effects (P > .10) on carcass characteristics. Steam flaking corn increased (P < .05) fecal pH and reduced (P < .01) fecal starch. Supplemental CSM increased (P < .01) fecal pH and reduced (P < .01) fecal starch. Four Holstein steers (413 kg) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square experiment to evaluate treatment effects on digestive function. Steam flaking corn increased (P < .05) flow of nonammonia N (11%, P < .05) and microbial N (15%, P < .01) to the duodenum. Supplemental CSM increased the flow of microbial N (6%, P < .01), feed N (21%, P < .10), and nonammonia N (12%, P < .05) to the duodenum. The UIP value of CSM was 28% for the DRC diet and 52% for the SFC diet. Steam flaking corn increased (P < .01) ruminal starch digestion (26%) and total tract digestibility of OM (17%), N (15%), starch (19%), and GE (17%). Steam flaking increased the DE value of corn by 21%. Supplemental CSM did not influence (P > .10) postruminal or total tract starch digestion. Supplemental CSM decreased (7%, P < .10) the DE value of the diet. We conclude that increasing the postruminal protein supply of a corn-based finishing diet beyond that provided by urea supplementation, alone, will not enhance starch digestion or the energy value of the diet.

Ammonia↗

Variability among sources and laboratories in nutrient analyses of corn and soybean meal. NCR-42 Committee on Swine Nutrition. North Central Regional-42.

A cooperative research study involving members of a regional committee (North Central Regional Committee on Swine Nutrition [NCR-42]) was conducted to assess the variability in nutrient composition (DM, CP, Ca, P, Se, and amino acids) of corn and soybean meal from 16 sources (15 states, mostly in the Midwest) and to assess the analytical variability in nutrient assays among 22 laboratories (labs; 16 experiment station labs and six commercial labs). Corn samples were obtained from each participating station's feed mill during a 3-yr period (1989, 1990, and 1992), as were soybean meal samples during a 2-yr period (1989 and 1990). Both regular soybean meal (with hulls) and dehulled soybean meal were represented in the study. Samples were analyzed for DM and CP by all 22 labs, for Ca and P by 15 labs, for amino acids by 10 labs, and for Se by 6 labs. Each lab used its own analytical procedures. Samples of corn and soybean meal varied in their nutrient composition depending on the area of origin. The greatest variation among sources was in Se concentration, ranging from .02 to .29 mg/kg in corn and .08 to .95 mg/kg in soybean meal. Crude protein and lysine in corn were positively correlated, but the regression coefficient was low (r2 = .49). The relationship between CP and lysine for the two soybean meals combined was considerably stronger (r2 = .81). Lysine in corn increased by .018 percentage point and lysine in soybean meal (regular and dehulled combined) increased by .063 percentage point for each 1 percentage point increase in CP. Except for CP and Se, the analytical variability among labs was as great as, and in some cases greater than, the variability in nutrient composition among sources of corn and soybean meal. Within-lab analytical variability tended to be less than among-lab variability. Some labs performed certain analyses with considerably less variability and more accuracy than others.

Animal Feed↗

Supplemental cracked corn for steers fed fresh alfalfa: II. Protein and amino acid digestion.

The effects of different levels of cracked corn on N intake, ruminal bacterial CP synthesis, and duodenal flows and small intestinal digestion of amino acids (AA) in steers fed fresh alfalfa indoors were determined. Angus steers (n = 6; average BW 338 +/- 19 kg) cannulated in the rumen, duodenum, and ileum were fed each of five diets over five periods in a Latin square design with an extra animal. Steers consumed 1) alfalfa (20.4% CP, 41.6% NDF) ad libitum (AALF); 2), 3), and 4) AALF supplemented (S) with three levels of corn (.4, .8, or 1.2% of BW, respectively), or 5) alfalfa restricted (RALF) to the average forage intake of S steers. Average N intake and duodenal flow of nonammonia N (NAN) were greater (P < .01) in S than in RALF steers. Greater duodenal flows of NAN in S compared with RALF were due to a trend toward higher (P = .06) flows of both bacterial and dietary N. Levels of corn decreased (P < .01) linearly N intake and increased (P < .01) linearly duodenal flow of NAN owing to a numerical linear increase in nonbacterial N (P = .15) with no increase in bacterial N flow. Duodenal NAN flows as percentages of N intake increased (P < .01) linearly (69.3 to 91.0%) as corn increased. Ruminal NH3 N concentration, ruminal CP degradability, and the proportion of bacterial N in duodenal NAN were decreased (P < .01) linearly as corn increased. Efficiency of net microbial CP synthesis was not affected (P > .05) by treatment (average 42.6 and 30.9 g N/kg of OM apparently or truly digested in the rumen, respectively). Small intestinal disappearance of total N and individual AA, except for threonine and lysine, and small intestinal digestibility of N and individual AA, except for methionine, histidine, and proline, increased (P < .01) linearly with level of corn and were greater (P < .01) in S than in RALF steers. Supplementing corn to steers fed fresh alfalfa reduced ruminal N losses and CP degradability and increased the duodenal flow and the small intestinal disappearance and digestibility of total N and total, essential, and nonessential AA.

Amino Acids↗