Effects of High-Amylase Corn on Performance and Carcass Quality of Finishing Beef Heifers.

Developed initially for use in fuel ethanol production, Enogen ® Feed Corn (EFC; Syngenta Crop Protection) is genetically modified to express high concentrations of alpha amylase in the corn kernel. Experiments were conducted to evaluate processing characteristics of EFC, in vitro digestion, and effects on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and liver abscess incidence. Experiment 1 used a randomized complete block design (3 x 3 x 5 factorial) to evaluate starch availability, in situ dry matter disappearance (ISDMD), in vitro gas production (IVGP), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles of in vitro cultures. Grains (EFC or mill-run control [CON]) were flaked to a density of 360 g/L, and mixtures with 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100% EFC were prepared. Grains were tempered with added moisture (0, 3, or 6%) prior to steam conditioning for 15, 30, or 45 min. No 2- or 3-way interactions were observed. Adding moisture improved starch availability (linear; P 0.33). Cattle fed EFC had 23% fewer abscessed livers than CON (P = 0.03). High-amylase corn may be used to improve microbial digestion, mill-throughput, cattle performance, and may mitigate liver abscesses.