Characterizing Digestion Traits of Corn Bran Products from Corn Wet Milling

Abstract Evaluation of new bran products are necessary for continual improvement of wet milling feeds used by the cattle industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate 3 novel corn bran products from Cargill Corn Milling on rumen fermentation and nutrient digestion in beef cattle. Eight ruminally fistulated beef steers were utilized in a 4×4 replicated Latin Square design with 4 dietary treatments and 4 periods (21 d in length for each period with 14 d of adaptation and 7 d of collection). Four treatment diets were bran products (Bran A/B/C) included at 70% of diet dry matter (DM) with 25% steam flaked corn (SFC), and an internal control (SFC control) diet consisted of 70% SFC and 25% Sweet Bran, with 5% wheat straw in all 4 diets. The SFC control exhibited the greatest DM, organic matter (OM) and starch digestibility (P ≤ 0.06), and the least neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility (P < 0.01). When 3 bran products each included at 70%, there was no difference in DM or OM intake and digestibility. Starch and NDF digestibility were greatest (P < 0.01) for bran A fed steers, least for bran C with bran B intermediate. Bran products had minimal effect on energy digestibility, ruminal pH, rumination activity and jugular vein blood parameters. Total ruminal VFAs concentration was greatest (P = 0.04) for SFC control, with no difference among bran A, B and C fed steers. Acetate: Propionate ratio was least (P < 0.01) for SFC control fed steers, greatest for bran A with bran B and C being intermediate. Digestion trait differences existed among different corn bran products, of which feeding bran A resulted in better digestion of starch and NDF, and greater starch content of bran B and C resulted in greater ruminal propionate production.