Wheat middlings can supply up to 50 percent of finishing rations without reducing performance in finishing steers, according to Utah State University researchers.

There has been little research on wheat middlings, said Dale ZoBell, an associate professor in Utah State's animal, dairy and veterinary science departments who was the study's lead author.

Many producers are unaware that middlings contain roughly 90 to 95 percent of corn's energy value and about twice as much protein.

Utah State's research was done with finishing and growing steers. For finishing animals, one group was fed middlings as 35 percent of the concentrate and another group was fed at 50 percent, with the rest of the concentrate from dry rolled corn. Control group steers were fed dry rolled corn as the concentrate. All the animals also received corn silage, alfalfa hay and a supplement.

Researchers found no difference in average daily gain, dry matter intake, feed efficiency or carcass characteristics among the finishing steers. Average daily gain results were: 35 percent middlings, 2.81 pounds; 50 percent middlings, 2.68 pounds; and control group, 2.92 pounds. ZoBell said he was somewhat disappointed in average daily gain, but hot weather was a factor and also affected the control group.

Growing steers received the same diet, but with 35.5 percent of the concentrate from wheat middlings. The control group was again fed dry rolled corn. Average daily gain and feed efficiency were similar to steers in the control group. Steers receiving middlings had an average daily gain of 2.57 pounds compared to 2.86 pounds in the control group. Dry matter intake, however, tended to be lower for steers fed wheat middlings.

ZoBell referred to a 1998 study with heifers published by Dale Blasi, a Kansas State University associate professor and extension specialist. Blasi's research found there was a linear decline in daily gain as the percentage of middlings increased in both full-fed sorghum based rations and in limit-fed high concentrate rations. Feed efficiency was unaffected in full-fed silage diets, but decreased in the limit-fed rations.

Blasi's data showed that wheat middlings had a feed value almost equal to that of corn and soybean meal when used in full-fed rations. When used in limit-fed diets though, it had a value of 83 percent. This lower feed value may be due to low undegradable intake protein in middlings relative to corn and soybean meal. A Blasi publication that includes his 1998 study with heifers, Wheat Middlings -- Composition, Feeding Value and Guidelines is available at www.oznet. ksu.edu/dp_ansi/beefonly.htm.

The cost of wheat middlings is relatively low compared to other feedstuffs. "For rations that include wheat middlings, cost of gain drops significantly," ZoBell said. He added the cost varies according to supply and demand in an area.

From a practical point of view, wheat middlings are easy to store and incorporate in rations. Because it is a dry feed though, there is potential for dust problems when mixed with other dry feeds. "It is best used in rations with silage. If there is moisture, it binds well," he said.

Availability of wheat middlings and size of operation must be considered. Unless there is a large mill in the area, feeding middlings is more feasible for small or medium producers, ZoBell said. ©