Western Producer Calgary reporter Barbara Duckworth travelled to Denver, Colorado, for the International Livestock Congress and the National Western Stock Show to look at how issues there will affect Canadian producers.
DENVER, Colo. – Cattle feeding trials are starting to return results on the use of dried and wet distillers grain and most are reaching similar conclusions.
As feeder cattle consume more of this product from the ethanol industry, differences are noted in red meat yield and quality grades.
“As you go higher with your DDGs, you are going to see different performance out of these cattle,” said Lance Forster, a nutritionist with Archer Daniels Midland.
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He summarized recently published university studies on feeding biofuel products to cattle at an international livestock congress held in Denver, Jan. 15.
In 2006, U.S. plants generated about 11 million tonnes of distillers grain. More than 20 million tonnes could be available in 2008 from 130 plants. About 85 percent of this product goes to livestock producers.
“We can utilize as a country all the DDGs the ethanol plants can put out,” he said.
Studies have looked at feeding levels ranging from 10 to 40 percent DDG in a beef or dairy diet. Hogs can handle 10 to 20 percent and poultry five to 10 percent, but for the most part these products are not a good fit.
“Poultry and swine can’t utilize as much of that product in their diets because of the fibre and the protein content isn’t conducive to their growth,” he said.
A ruminant can handle the fibre well and he estimated cattle could use up to 10 million tonnes at a 30 percent inclusion rate in their diet. Tests show the product is higher in protein and fat compared to corn. DDG offers 25 percent protein but lags behind a product like soybeans, which is about 45 percent protein.
Adding distillers grain to the feed mix takes some management and feed testing.
“The issues we are having with distillers grain are not new,” he said.
Feed manuals dating back to 1959 pointed out a lack of consistency from each plant and the need to balance rations carefully.
Studies from 2007 show when higher DDG levels of 40 percent or more were consumed, marbling scores decreased and there was a measurable difference in weight gains compared to control groups. Up to 30 percent inclusion rates in a balanced ration with other feeds including silage improved average daily gain.
Another study saw a difference in the colour of tenderloins but other cuts on the same carcass remained normal.
There were some reported differences in fatty acid profiles. In some cases higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid were noted, but it is difficult to determine how much health benefit might be available.
“A lot more research needs to be done along the lines of what effect it has on specific muscles,” Forster said.
Hog feeders are not moving toward this product because it is harder for swine to digest and there have been some reports of extreme changes in fatty acid profiles.
Tyson Foods, which manages millions of chickens across the United States, said in some specific locations close to an ethanol plant, it has used DDG at a rate of 10 percent in broiler diets.
