O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar a possibilidade da exploração simultânea de pomar de citros com braquiária da entrelinha para produção de silagem. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com três tratamentos principais quanto ao manejo da braquiária (A: adubação do pomar na linha e manejo da braquiária da entrelinha através de roçadas; B: adubação do pomar na linha, sendo a entrelinha cortada para silagem; C: adubação do pomar na linha e na entrelinha, sendo a braquiária cortada para silagem), com sete repetições, totalizando 21 parcelas de três linhas de citros cada. A linha central foi utilizada para avaliação dos citros, e a entrelinha central para avaliar a braquiária. Foram realizados dois cortes de braquiária na época das águas para avaliação da produção de MS e de atributos químico-bromatológicos (QB). Após o corte, a braquiária foi armazenada de três formas: congelada “in natura”; em minissilos de PVC, sem adição de polpa cítrica, e em minissilos de PVC com adição de polpa cítrica (7, 14 e 21%), com quatro repetições. O material foi ensilado por 35 dias, sendo após aberto e congelado. Avaliou-se, nas amostras congeladas, as características QB: MS, PB, FDN, pH e PT. Fez-se a determinação dos teores de macro e micronutrientes nas folhas de citros e da braquiária, e amostragem do solo da linha e da entrelinha para avaliação da fertilidade. No pomar de citros avaliou-se a produção e as características físicas e tecnológicas dos frutos nas épocas de safra e colheita temporã. Observou-se que a produtividade e as características tecnológicas e físicas dos frutos não foram afetadas pelo manejo da braquiária. No estado nutricional dos citros, observou-se diferença nos teores de cálcio, sendo superiores no tratamento C. Os atributos químicos do solo na linha do pomar não apresentaram diferença entre os tratamentos. Na braquiária, os tratamentos não influenciaram o estado nutricional e os principais atributos químicos do solo. Quanto à produção de MS, nos tratamentos B e C, observou-se diferença entre os mesmos nas duas épocas de corte, com produção de MS 60% superior em C. Nas características QB, houve influência dos tratamentos B e C, da época de corte e da prática de ensilagem em relação a MS, PB, FDN, pH e PT, além de interações entre essas variáveis. Em função dos resultados obtidos quanto à produção e qualidade de citros e da braquiária para ensilagem, conclui-se a viabilidade da exploração desse sistema (pomar de citros e braquiária para ensilagem), desde que seja feita reposição dos nutrientes extraídos através de adubação diferenciada para as duas espécies vegetais. / The objective of this study was to verify the possibility of simultaneous exploration of citrus orchard with brachiaria of interrow for silage production aiming at dairy cow food complementation. The treatment were: A - fertilization of the orchard in the row and manipulation of brachiaria of the interrow by hoeing; B – fertilization of orchard in the row, and having the interrow cut for the silage; C – fertilization of orchard in the row and in the interrow, having the brachiaria cut for silage. The experimental design was randomized blocks with 7 replications, totalling twenty-one parcels with three lines of citrus each. The central line was used for the evaluation of citrus and the central interrow to evaluate the brachiaria. Two cuts of brachiaria were made in the rainy season for the evaluation of dry matter ha -1 and chemical–bromatological attributes production. After cutting, the brachiaria was stored in three different ways: frozen in natura; stored in mini silos of PVC with and without the addition of citric pulp; with four replications. The material was stored in silo for 35 days, and it was opened and frozen afterwards. The following chemical-bromatological characteristics were evaluated within these material dry matter, raw protein, fiber acid detergent, free acidity, and buffer capacity. Macro and micronutrients’ contents in the leaves were determinated, and samples of soil in the row and interrow were taken for the evaluation of soil fertility. In the citrus orchard, the production and the physical and technological characteristics of fruits in two periods (in season and out of season) were evaluated. The results showed that the productivity and the fruits’ technological and physical characteristics were not affected by the way the manipulation of brachiaria in the interrow was conducted. Within the plants’ nutritional state, a difference only for the contents of calcium, which were superior in treatment C, could be observed. The soil’s chemical attributes in the orchard’s line did not present any difference among the treatments. Concerning the brachiaria, the treatments did not have any influence in the nutritional state, nor in the main soil’s chemical attributes. Concerning the production of dry matter, in treatments B and C, a difference between them was observed, in the two seasons of cut, in the production of dry matter: up to 60% for treatment C. Concerning the chemical-bromatological characteristics, there was an influence of the treatments B and C, of the cutting period and of the practice of storage in silos in relation to the contents of dry matter, raw protein, fiber acid detergent, free acidity and buffer capacity in relation; besides the interaction effects among these three variables. Due to the obtained results in relation to the production and quality of citrus and of brachiaria for storage in silos, we can conclude the viability of the exploration of this system (orchard of citrus and brachiaria for storage in silos), as long as the reposition of the extracted nutrients through different fertilization for each vegetal species is executed.

Submitted by Marcia Leitzke (marcia.leitzke@unioeste.br) on 2017-08-11T14:44:11Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Arlindo F Correia 2016.pdf: 9132761 bytes, checksum: 837c2e718f0c4bfbcf875bcb4b63bd88 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-11T14:44:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Arlindo F Correia 2016.pdf: 9132761 bytes, checksum: 837c2e718f0c4bfbcf875bcb4b63bd88 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) has potential agro-energy and the possibility of multipurpose use in the agricultural sector, however, it has not been widely adopted by farmers nor for ethanol production plants. This study aimed to evaluate the productivity, nutritional composition and silage sorghum as a result of fertilization with vinasse. The research was conducted at the experimental station of PUCPR Câmpus Toledo-PR during the months of november 2014 to august 2015 using the BRS-511, CR-1339 and CR-1342 genotypes. The experimental design the field was a randomized block in a factorial design with 3 additional treatments (3x5+3) with 4 repetitions, totaling 72 plots. The biofertilizer factor consisted of vinasse in natura at doses of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 m³ ha-1 and additional treatments of conventional chemical fertilizer application compounds. Productivity variables were: stem length (CCo), stem diameter (DCO), fresh pasta stem (MFCo), fresh pasta broth (MFCa), broth volume (VCa), degrees brix of juice (ºBrix), dry mass of inflorescence (MSI), dry matter of the stem (MSCo), dry mass of leaves (MSF) and total dry matter (MST). To assess the nutritional status analyzed the concentration of macro and micro nutrients N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe and Zn. The silage was held to 170 DAS (days after sowing), with experimental design in blocks with triple factorial (genotype x fertilization x inoculation) with three repetitions totaling 54 plots. At 95 days after the closing of the silage were collected samples for pH analysis, drying and quantification of dry matter content (MS%), crude protein (PB% MS), ether extract (EE% MS), ash (%MS), neutral detergent fiber (FDN% MS), fiber in acid detergent (FDA% MS), lignin (LIG% MS), total digestible nutrients (NDT), dry matter digestibility (DMS), digestible energy (ED) and energy metabolizable (EM). The results indicate the genotypes as the main source of variation, with different results in broth productivity for BRS-511, CR-1339 and CR-1342. Similar results were observed for total soluble solids potential averaging 19.205 °Brix, 14.670 °Brix and 8.579 °Brix. The biomass yield the best results were obtained for CR-1342 (42,960.4 kg ha-1) followed by CR-1339 (31,788.8 kg ha-1) and BRS-511 (18,884.0 kg ha-1) for MST. Leaf analysis showed no significant difference in the application of vinasse compared to chemical fertilizer, only to an increase in Mg content when using the biofertilizer, prevailing differences in results between genotypes. The bromatological results indicate good quality of CR-1339 and CR-1342 hybrids, however, a higher digestibility for the BRS-511 grow crops, not observable difference between the factor fertilization and inoculation / O sorgo sacarino (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) apresenta potencial agroenergético e possibilidade de utilização multipropósito no segmento agropecuário, porém, ainda não tem sido adotado em larga escala pelo produtor rural tampouco por empreendimentos sucroalcooleiros. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a produtividade, a composição nutricional e o ensilamento de sorgo sacarino como resultado da adubação com vinhaça. A pesquisa foi conduzida na estação experimental da PUCPR, câmpus Toledo-PR, durante os meses de novembro de 2014 a agosto de 2015 utilizando os genótipos BRS-511, CR-1339 e CR-1342. O delineamento experimental a campo foi em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial com 3 tratamentos adicionais (3x5+3) com 4 repetições, totalizando 72 parcelas. O fator biofertilizante foi constituído de vinhaça in natura nas doses de 0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 m³ ha-1 e os tratamentos adicionais compostos de aplicação de adubação química convencional. As variáveis de produtividade foram: comprimento do colmo (CCo), diâmetro do colmo (DCo), massa fresca do colmo (MFCo), massa fresca do caldo (MFCa), volume do caldo (VCa), graus brix do caldo (ºBRIX), massa seca da inflorescência (MSI), massa seca do colmo (MSCo), massa seca de folhas (MSF) e massa seca total (MST). Para avaliação do estado nutricional analisou-se a concentração dos macro e micronutrientes N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe e Zn. O ensilamento foi realizado aos 170 DAS, com delineamento experimental em blocos com esquema fatorial triplo (genótipos x adubação x inoculação) com 3 repetições totalizando 54 parcelas. Aos 95 dias após o fechamento dos silos foram coletadas amostras para análise de pH, secagem e quantificação dos teores de massa seca (MS%), proteína bruta (PB %MS), extrato etéreo (EE %MS), cinzas (%MS), fibras em detergente neutro (FDN %MS), fibras em detergente ácido (FDA %MS), lignina (LIG %MS), nutrientes digeríveis totais (NDT), digestibilidade da matéria seca (DMS), energia digestível (ED) e energia metabolizável (EM). Os resultados indicam os genótipos como principal fonte de variação, com diferentes resultados na produtividade de caldo para BRS-511, CR-1339 e CR-1342. Resultado semelhante foi observado quanto ao potencial de sólidos solúveis totais com médias de 19,205 ºBrix, 14,670 ºBrix e 8,579 ºBrix. Sob a produtividade de biomassa os melhores rendimentos foram observados para CR-1342 (42.960,4 kg ha-1) seguido de CR-1339 (31.788,8 kg ha-1) e BRS-511 (18.884,0 kg ha-1) para MST. A diagnose foliar não demonstrou diferença significativa da aplicação de vinhaça em comparação à adubação química, apenas para um incremento no teor de Mg quando utilizado o biofertilizante, prevalecendo as diferenças de resultados entre os genótipos. Os resultados bromatológicos indicam boa qualidade dos híbridos CR- 1339 e CR-1342, porém, uma maior digestibilidade para o cultivar BRS-511, não sendo observado diferença entre o fator adubação e inoculação.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de aditivos químicos e microbianos sobre as perdas de matéria seca, perfil fermentativo, valor nutritivo e estabilidade aeróbia da silagem de cana-de-açúcar. A variedade utilizada para confeccionar os silos laboratoriais foi RB-72454 com 12 meses de idade fisiológica. O experimento foi desenvolvido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, sendo seis tratamentos, com quatro repetições cada. Além da silagem de cana-de-açúcar controle, foram utilizados dois aditivos microbianos: Lactobacillus plantarum e o conjunto de bactérias L. plantarum + Streptococcus faecium + Pediocccus acidilactici (BAL). Esses dois aditivos microbianos também foram aplicados associados a duas doses de benzoato de sódio, 0,01 e 0,05% da massa verde (MV). Os aditivos microbianos foram aplicados à contagem de 5 x 104 ufc/g de forragem. As variáveis analisadas foram: perdas totais e gasosas, produção de efluente, recuperação de matéria seca, perfil fermentativo, estabilidade aeróbia e valor nutritivo no momento da abertura dos silos e durante o ensaio de estabilidade aeróbia. As maiores perdas fermentativas e gasosas foram observadas para o tratamento da associação de L. plantarum com benzoato de sódio na dosagem de 0,05% da MV. No entanto, não houve diferença entre os tratamentos para as variáveis do perfil fermentativo. Com relação ao valor nutritivo, as silagens que foram tratadas com associação de L. plantarum com benzoato de sódio na dosagem de 0,05% da MV, apresentaram no momento da abertura maior concentração de componentes fibrosos e menores coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria seca. A maioria dos tratamentos apresentou desempenho semelhante ao tratamento controle no valor nutritivo no momento da abertura dos silos. Com relação ao ensaio de estabilidade aeróbia na associação de L. plantarum com benzoato de sódio na dosagem de 0,05% da MV, foi observado o menor acúmulo de temperatura nos primeiros cinco dias após abertura (ADITE-5) e menor pico de temperatura da massa exposta ao ar. Da mesma forma, as silagens tratadas com esses aditivos mantiveram estável o valor de pH e apresentaram maior recuperação de matéria seca das silagens nos primeiros cinco dias pós-abertura. Todavia, não houve diferenças significativas entres os tratamentos para as outras variáveis analisadas na fase aeróbia. Com relação ao valor nutritivo das silagens no momento da abertura, associação de L. plantarum com benzoato de sódio na dosagem de 0,05% da MV apresentou menores valores da fração fibrosa e maior digestibilidade da matéria seca nos primeiros cinco dias da fase aeróbia. Para a avaliação químico-bromatológicas, não foram encontradas diferença nos teores de carboidratos solúveis e proteína bruta entre os tratamentos. De forma geral, a analise conjunta dos experimentos mostra que as silagens tratadas com associação de L. plantarum com benzoato de sódio na dosagem de 0,05% da MV, apresentaram melhor desempenho na fase aeróbia que na fase fermentativa. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chemical and microbial additives on dry matter losses, fermentative profile, nutritive value and aerobic stability of sugarcane silages. The variety used to ensiling was RB-72454, harvested with 12 months of regrowth. It was analyzed as a completely randomized model, with six treatments and four replications for each treatment. Besides the control sugarcane silage, were tested two types of microbial additives: Lactobacillus plantarum and the association of L. plantarum and Streptococcus faecium and Pediocccus acidilactici (BAL). Moreover these two microbial additives were associated with two levels of sodium benzoate, 0.01 or 0.05% of fresh matter. The microbial additives were applied trying to reach 5 x 104 UFC/g of forage. The variables analyzed were: total dry matter losses, gases losses, effluent yield, dry matter recovery rate, fermentative profile, aerobic stability and nutritive value when the silos were opened and during the aerobic stability trial. The greatest fermentative and gaseous losses were observed in silages treated with L. plantarum associated with 0.05% of sodium benzoate. However, there is no difference among treatments regarding the fermentative profile. The silages added with L. plantarum associated to 0.05% of sodium benzoate showed highest cell wall content and lowest in vitro dry matter digestibility. Most of the treatments showed similar nutritive value as control silages. Regarding the aerobic stability assay, L. plantarum associated to 0.05% of sodium benzoate had highest accumulated temperature in the first five days (ADITE-5) and the lowest temperature pick. Similarly, these silages remained the pH stable and showed highest dry matter recovery rate in the first five days during aerobic trial. Although, there were no differences in the other variables in aerobic assay. In terms of nutritive value, the treatment of L. plantarum associated 0.05% of sodium benzoate, showed lowest fiber content and highest in vitro dry matter digestibility during the first five days of aerobic stability trial. There were no differences in the water soluble carbohydrates and crude protein content among treatments. In general, considering the whole trial, the treatment with L. platarum associated with 0.05% of sodium benzoate had better performance during the aerobic phase than the fermentative one.

Silage bunker runoff is a form of agricultural pollution that contributes to aquatic ecosystem degradation. Current handling and treatment methods for this process wastewater are often ineffective or expensive. A woodchip bioreactor is an emerging treatment technology designed to facilitate denitrification through the provision of an anaerobic, carbon rich environment. A wood chip bioreactor treatment system, consisting of three pre-treatment tanks, two wood chip bioreactors, and one infiltration basin, was constructed at the Miller Research Complex in South Burlington, Vermont in 2016. Runoff and leachate from an adjacent silage storage bunker is directed into the system. The pre-treatment tanks include two settling tanks and one aeration tank. The former allows for sedimentation of organic matter, while the latter is designed to allow for nitrogen transformations that will help maximize nitrogen removal in the bioreactors. During the summer and fall of 2017, sampling occurred at four points within the system in order to determine the efficacy of various treatment steps. Samples were analyzed for nitrate (NOx—N), ammonium (NH4+-N), total nitrogen (TN), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), and total phosphorus (TP) in order to compare inflow and outflow pollutant concentrations and loads. Results indicate that this treatment system significantly reduced nutrient loads in the runoff. Over the entirety of the sampling period, the influent TN and TP mass load were both reduced by approximately 44%.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Pasture Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / Forage sorghum is widely grown in South Africa as annual summer forage to supplement pasture production for sheep, beef and dairy cattle. A number of sorghum cultivars are available commercially, and periodically some cultivars are added while others are withdrawn from the market. The potential yield figures and the nutritive value of these forage sorghum cultivars are generally not known. The management practices that improve forage sorghum production and quality include the time of planting and time of harvesting. The genetic makeup of different forage sorghum cultivars also accounted for a portion of the production and quality. A field experiment was conducted at Dewageningsdrift Experimental Farm (DWD), Moloto, Gauteng and Nooitgedacht Agricultural Development Center (NGD), Ermelo, Mpumalanga to study the influence of planting date on the growth potential of different forage sorghum cultivars. Three planting dates were used: mid-December 2006, mid-January 2007 and mid-February 2007. Thirteen different cultivars were incorporated in the trial to evaluate influence of the breeding history. The cultivars were defoliated at three different stages: cut repeatedly at six weekly intervals (Dt 1), cut repeatedly when it reached a grazing stage (± 800 mm high) (Dt 2) and once at the silage stage (soft dough) (Dt 3). At DWD the average total dry matter (TDM) productions, for the six week cutting treatment (Dt 1), were 10760 kg/ha, 5195 kg/ha and 1944 kg/ha for December, January and February planting date respectively. For the same treatment, at NGT, the average TDM productions were 6396 kg/ha and 1737 kg/ha for December and January respectively. The February planting resulted in the poor germination and seedling emergency. The seedlings did not survive due to low temperatures. The minimum of 13 ºC and 11.8 ºC as well as the maximum of 24.1 ºC and 23.0 ºC in February and March were below the required germination temperature (15 ºC). The highest producers that is available in the market were Jumbo, Sentop, Piper, Kow Kandy, and Sugargraze. Defoliated repeatedly at grazing stage (Dt 2), at DWD, resulted in average TDM productions of 8541 kg/ha, 4950 kg/ha and 2683 kg/ha for December, January and February, respectively. At NGT the average TDM productions were 7769 kg/ha and 3010 kg/ha for December and January respectively. The highest producers were Jumbo, Kow Kandy, Piper, Sentop and Sugargraze. The average TDM productions at the silage stage (Dt 3), at DWD, were 17923 kg/ha, 15015 kg/ha and 2529 kg/ha for December, January and February respectively. At NGT the average TDM production iii was 11856 kg/ha and 5350 kg/ha for December and January, The highest producers were Jumbo, Sugargraze, Kow Kandy, Sentop and Kow Kandy.December planting proved to be the best planting date for optimum DM production, compared to later plantings in January and February. Keywords Forage sorghum, cultivars, planting dates, defoliation stages, grazing stage, silage

A factorially designed experiment had 18 Hereford and 18 Holstein steers on individually fed, high-grain diets. One diet included 59% rolled barley, 30% CSF beet pulp, 5% protein, vitamin, mineral, and stilbestrol supplement, and 6% chopped hay and straw. The other diet had corn silage (11% air dry matter equivalent) substituted for the chopped roughage and 5% of the beet pulp. The Holsteins were heavier at the start, 752 lb. as compared to the Herefords 686 lb. average. The weight differential was maintained throughout the approximately 180-day trial. The Holstein's feed consumption and rate of gain, 23.4 and 2.71 lb. respectively, were significantly better than the hereford's 20.1 and 2.23 lb. The average feed conversion difference was not significant, with 8.68 for the Holsteins and 9.20 for the Herefords. There was no significant difference in carcass grade, although the Herefords tended to grade higher and had significantly better conformation scores. The Holsteins had less fat cover, .178 inches as compared to .497 inches, and a significantly higher cutability, with 52% for the Holsteins vs. 50% for the Herefords. Feed conversion was 8.57 for the cattle on the diet containing silage and 9.30 for those on the diet without silage (P<.05). This experiment's relatively low level of silage apparently improved palatability and minimized the wastage of "fines." The relatively large variations in all measures among individual animals were considered a significant observation.

This study assessed the value of triticale dried distillers grains with solubles(DDGS) in a feedlot finishing diet using 144 intact, and 16 ruminally cannulated crossbred yearling steers. Substituting triticale DDGS for a portion of dry-rolled barley grain (20% diet DM) decreased the prevalence of ruminal acidosis and tended to increase dry matter intake and fat deposition, but increased the incidence and severity of liver abscesses. Further substitution of triticale DDGS for barley silage (5 and 10% diet DM) increased the prevalence of ruminal acidosis, but tended to improve feed efficiency without affecting carcass characteristics. These findings suggest that feedlot finishing diets containing triticale DDGS allow producers to decrease dietary forage inclusion without affecting performance, but may require use of an antimicrobial to control liver abscesses. / Animal Science

In zwei Berichten werden der Einfluss von Saattermin und Gülledüngung sowie unterschiedliche Maßnahmen zur Unkrautregulierung auf Ertrag und Qualität von Silomais im ökologischen Landbau dokumentiert. Ein früher Saattermin erhöht die TM-Erträge. Alle geprüften Ausbringungsverfahren an Rindergülle (vor Saat breitflächig, Unterfußdüngung, 2-Blattstadium Injektion, 6-8-Blattstadium Schleppschlauch) sind praxistauglich und führen zu höheren Erträgen und besseren Qualitäten. Die Feldversuche zeigen, dass je nach vorhandener Technik verschiedene Strategien der Unkrautregulierung erfolgreich umgesetzt werden können.

Five studies were conducted to determine the effect of inoculating (Pioneer Sila-Bac 11H50RTM) on the silage quality and the feeding value of high DM (55.3 %) alfalfa silage. The inoculant contained multi strains of Lactobacillus plantarum developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred Inc. In the first study, the effects of inoculation on ensiling characteristics of alfalfa were determined in a completely randomized design using 30 mini-silos. In the 2nd study, 9 containers were used in a completely randomized design to determine the effect of inoculation on the aerobic stability of alfalfa silage. In the 3d study, 2 ruminally fistulated cows were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of inoculation on ruminal degradation of alfalfa silage. In the 4th study, 4 ruminally fistulated cows were used in a switch back experiment to determine the effects of feeding inoculated alfalfa on total tract nutrient utilization. In the last study, 27 Holstein cows in early lactation were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of feeding inoculated alfalfa on intake, milk yield, and milk composition.

A high moisture corn/soybean meal-based finishing ration was used to examine the effects of roughage source (corn silage, alfalfa hay), level of dietary roughage (8, 16, 24%), and ractopamine supplementation (none, Optaflexx) on growth performance, carcass traits, and beef quality for finishing 108 steers and 24 heifers (initial BW = 308 kg). Cattle were allocated by gender to 12 management regimen subclasses. Optaflexx (trade name for ractopamine hydrochloride) was fed over the last 28 d on feed with cattle marketed after common days on feed. Growth performance (ADG, feed intake, and feed efficiency) and carcass traits were assessed on an individual animal basis. A primal rib and semitendinosus (ST) muscle from each animal were processed at the University of Guelph Meat Laboratory for carcass and meat quality evaluations. Tenderness was determined using shear force assessment of product aged 7, 14, and 21 d. Average daily gains were similar (P > 0.27) across main effects while use of corn silage as the roughage source decreased (P < 0.001) dry matter intake and improved (P < 0.001) feed efficiency compared to feeding alfalfa hay. Roughage level and beta agonist supplementation did not affect (P > 0.13) dry matter intake or feed efficiency. When the last 28 days on feed were examined, Optaflexx supplementation increased (P < 0.001) weight change, ADG, and improved feed conversion, while DMI remained unchanged (P > 0.373). Carcass traits including hot carcass weight, grade fat, longissimus muscle area, marbling, and body composition as assessed by rib dissection (% lean, fat, bone) were not affected (P > 0.14) by roughage level, source, or use of Optaflexx. Fat partitioning and liver abscess scores were unaffected (P > 0.09) by source and level of roughage fed, and use of Optaflexx. Source and level of dietary roughage did not affect color (P > 0.21) or shear force (P > 0.20) values for longissimus (LM) and semitendinosus (ST) steaks. Lower DMI and better feed conversion can be achieved using corn silage as the roughage source, while inclusion of up to 24% roughage in finishing diets may not negatively impact gains, carcass characteristics or beef quality. Beef producers may be able to increase amounts of roughage in the diet to lower cost of production without compromising growth performance and carcass and meat quality.