Trial 1. Finishing beef heifers (345
head) were used in a 153-day finishing trial
to evaluate the effects of feeding six levels
of Dakota Gold®-brand dried distiller’s
grains with solubles (DDGS): 0%, 15%,
30%, 45%, 60%, 75% (dry basis), on the
number of acid resistant E. coli and
coliforms. Fecal grab samples were taken
on day 65 and day 100, 2 and 20 hours
after feeding, and were analyzed for acid
resistant E. coli and total coliforms, as well
as pH and VFA. There was a significant
linear increase in fecal pH with increased
DDGS at both 2 and 20 hours post-feeding
(P<0.05). Total coliforms and acid
resistant E. coli at 2 and 20 hours
postfeeding were not affected by dietary
treatment (P>0.05). Total fecal VFAs were
not affected by dietary treatment or hour
sampled after feeding (P>0.05)
Trial 2. Trial 2 was conducted on
ruminally fistulated Jersey steers (18 head)
using three levels of DDGS (0%, 30%,
75%). Rumen and fecal grab samples were
taken after 4-week adaptation periods on
three occasions after every animal had been
on each level of the diet and had been
sampled. Fecal and rumen samples were
taken 2, 4, 6, 8, 12,18, and 24 hours post-feeding.
Both fecal and rumen pH were
unaffected by dietary treatment, yet an hour
effect was noted. Dietary treatment had no
effect (P>0.05) on E. coli or total coliforms
cultured from rumen fluid or feces.
