Author : Joel Blaine Corners
Release : 2004
Genre : Beef cattle
Kind : eBook
Book Rating : /5 ( reviews)
Book Synopsis Dried Distillers Grains Plus Solubles as a Protein and Energy Supplement for Beef Cattle by : Joel Blaine Corners
Download or read book Dried Distillers Grains Plus Solubles as a Protein and Energy Supplement for Beef Cattle written by Joel Blaine Corners. This book was released on 2004. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The beef industry is in a constant search for new feedstuffs to be used in the production process. This occurs for several reasons. Nutritional support of gain in growing beef cattle needs to, at minimum, match improvements realized in the genetic capability for growth. Feed costs constitute one of the largest beef production costs and economics has dictated that feed cost per kilogram of gain be reduced to remain competitive in the world market. Manufacturing of goods for human consumption has created numerous by-products with little economic value for human use. Dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), a by-product of ethanol production, represents a product which could be used as a replacement for soybean meal (SBM) in cattle rations. A national need for fuel-grade ethanol has driven dramatic increases in its production and subsequent increases in DDGS supply. The state of Missouri has been targeted as an area for development of ethanol production. The by-product of the process, DDGS, is high in protein, digestible fiber, and lipid content. This makes it a potential Nitrogen and energy source for ruminant rations. A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate the impact of DDGS as a protein and energy source in beef cattle. We compared DDGS and SBM in growing heifers consuming corn-silage, soyhull, and corn-based diets to evaluate the performance and cost-effectiveness of the two supplements. Similar dietary N levels were evaluated. Inclusion of DDGS in the diet resulted in increased final weight, ADG, DMI, and lower cost of gain as compared to heifers consuming SBM. Grazing is utilized in a large portion of Missouri cattle production, with summer generally requiring supplementation. A study was conducted which evaluated increasing levels of DDGS for heifers grazing tall fescue. Performance criteria were evaluated for animals receiving 0.45, 0.91, or 1.36 kg DDGS and a 0.1 kg soyhull negative control. Average daily gain was quadratically improved as level of DDGS in the diet was increased, with 0.91 kg DDGS providing the greatest ADG. Intake of forage DM and cost of gain were not affected by treatment. The final experiment examined the post-ruminal amino acid flow of mature steers consuming timothy hay and supplemented with DDGS, SBM, a SBM/DDGS blend, or negative control. Supplementation increased duodenal flow of total essential and non-essential AA, while Met, Leu, and Trp were linearly increased by greater inclusion of DDGS in the diet. Dried distillers grains with solubles appears to be a valid replacement of SBM in highforage growing diets.
