Economic Optimum Use of Wet Distillers Grains in Feedlots

An economic analysis was conducted using feedlot performance, current feed ingredient prices, trucking, and cost of feeding inputs to determine economics of feeding wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) at five dietary inclusions. The analysis also incorporated positive corn basis into the model. Cattle returns are greatest when incorporated WDGS is fed at 30 to 40% of DM at feedlots located between 0 and 60 miles from the plant. As distance of the feedlot increases from 60 to 100 miles from the plant, optimum inclusion is between 20 and 30% of dietary DM. Either a 5 or 10 cent positive corn basis decreases net returns on cattle by approximately $2 for each$0.05 increase in corn bushel price, but optimum inclusion amounts do not change based on distance from the plant. Results indicate more than just the cost of the product influence the economics of feeding WDGS

Economic Optimum Use of Wet Distillers Grains in Feedlots

An economic analysis was conducted using feedlot performance, current feed ingredient prices, trucking, and cost of feeding inputs to determine economics of feeding wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) at five dietary inclusions. The analysis also incorporated positive corn basis into the model. Cattle returns are greatest when incorporated WDGS is fed at 30 to 40% of DM at feedlots located between 0 and 60 miles from the plant. As distance of the feedlot increases from 60 to 100 miles from the plant, optimum inclusion is between 20 and 30% of dietary DM. Either a 5 or 10 cent positive corn basis decreases net returns on cattle by approximately $2 for each$0.05 increase in corn bushel price, but optimum inclusion amounts do not change based on distance from the plant. Results indicate more than just the cost of the product influence the economics of feeding WDGS

Effect of Wet and Dry Distillers Grains Plus Solubles and Supplemental Fat Level on Performance of Yearling Finishing Cattle

Two finishing trials were conducted to compare the addition of fat from either wet or dry distillers byproducts (WDGS; DDGS) to that provided from one of two commercially available fat sources (corn oil, Trial 1; tallow, Trial 2). In Trial 1, feed conversion and ADG decreased linearly as level of corn oil increased, while feed conversion and ADG were improved numerically as the level of WDGS increased in the diet. In Trial 2, no differences in performance were observed comparing cattle fed dry distillers grains plus solubles to cattle fed diets containing tallow. WDGS provided 12 and 17% more net energy for gain when fed at 20 and 40% of the diet compared to a dry rolled/high moisture corn mix

Economic Optimum Use of Wet Distillers Grains in Feedlots

An economic analysis was conducted using feedlot performance, current feed ingredient prices, trucking, and cost of feeding inputs to determine economics of feeding wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) at five dietary inclusions. The analysis also incorporated positive corn basis into the model. Cattle returns are greatest when incorporated WDGS is fed at 30 to 40% of DM at feedlots located between 0 and 60 miles from the plant. As distance of the feedlot increases from 60 to 100 miles from the plant, optimum inclusion is between 20 and 30% of dietary DM. Either a 5 or 10 cent positive corn basis decreases net returns on cattle by approximately $2 for each$0.05 increase in corn bushel price, but optimum inclusion amounts do not change based on distance from the plant. Results indicate more than just the cost of the product influence the economics of feeding WDGS

The Effects of Dried Distillers Grains on Heifers Consuming Low or High Quality Forage

Two forage sources, high and low quality, were used to evaluate effects of five levels of dried distillers grains on forage intake. Ninety heifer calves were fed high or low quality forage, supplemented with 0, 1.5, 3, 4.5, or 6 lb DM dried distillers grains. Forage intakes linearly decreased as dried distillers grains increased. Average daily gain increased linearly with increased dried distillers grains indicating that dried distillers grains can be a protein and energy supplement source and a substitute for forage. Dried distillers grains are an economical supplement to cattle on either high or low quality forage diets

Effect of Corn Processing in Finishing Diets Containing Wet Distillers Grains on Feedlot Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Steers

Three-hundred sixty calf-fed steers (BW = 318 ± 15 kg) were used in a completely randomized design to evaluate corn processing methods in finishing diets containing wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS). Whole corn (WC) was compared with corn processed by different methods, consisting of dryrolled corn (DRC), high-moisture corn (HMC), a 1:1 DRC:HMC combination (DM basis), steam-flaked corn (SFC), and finely-ground corn (FGC). The SFC with a flake density of 0.33 kg/L was obtained from a commercial feedlot. Basal dietary ingredients consisted of ground alfalfa hay (5.6% of DM) and dry supplement (3.0% of DM), with the balance being WDGS (30% of DM) and corn (61.4% of DM). Final BW and ADG were greater (P \u3c 0.05) for the cattle fed DRC (1.84 kg/d) compared with cattle fed FGC (1.53 kg/d), SFC (1.63 kg/d), and WC (1.75 kg/d), but was not different (P = 0.11) from cattle fed DRC:HMC (1.78 kg/d). Cattle fed HMC (0.185) had greater (P \u3c 0.05) G:F compared with cattle fed FGC (0.166), SFC (0.176), and WC (0.166). No differences (P \u3e 0.30) were detected between cattle fed HMC and DRC:HMC for ADG and G:F; however, cattle fed DRC tended to have greater (P = 0.08) ADG, yet lower (P = 0.08) G:F than cattle fed HMC. Carcass characteristics reflected performance. These data indicate that steam flaked and finely ground corn processing methods, or no processing, are not as effective as high-moisture or dry-rolled corn processing methods in finishing diets containing 30% WDGS

Effect of Corn Processing in Finishing Diets Containing Wet Distillers Grains on Feedlot Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Steers

An experiment evaluated the effects of six corn processing methods in feedlot diets containing 30% (DM basis) wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS). Treatments consisted of whole corn, dry-rolled corn, a dry-rolled/ high-moisture corn mix, high-moisture corn, steam flaked corn, and fine ground corn. The ADG was highest for steers receiving dry-rolled corn, high-moisture corn, or a 50:50 blend of dry-rolled and high-moisture corn. Feed conversion was best for steers receiving high-moisture corn. Interestingly, cattle fed finely ground corn or steam-flaked corn did not gain or convert as well as expected. Results indicate that there is a performance advantage obtained by processing corn as either dry-rolled or high-moisture when included with WDGS in finishing diets

The Effects of Dried Distillers Grains on Heifers Consuming Low or High Quality Forage

Two forage sources, high and low quality, were used to evaluate effects of five levels of dried distillers grains on forage intake. Ninety heifer calves were fed high or low quality forage, supplemented with 0, 1.5, 3, 4.5, or 6 lb DM dried distillers grains. Forage intakes linearly decreased as dried distillers grains increased. Average daily gain increased linearly with increased dried distillers grains indicating that dried distillers grains can be a protein and energy supplement source and a substitute for forage. Dried distillers grains are an economical supplement to cattle on either high or low quality forage diets

Performance Profile and Carcass Characteristics of Steers Fed Optaflexx

An experiment evaluated the live BW response of steers being fed Optaflexx for various durations. The design consisted of two Optaflexx levels (0 vs. 200 mg per steer daily) and two Optaflexx feeding durations (28 or 42 days immediately prior to slaughter). However, Optaflexx was started on the same day (day 151 of the feeding period). Feeding 200 mg/steer daily of Optaflexx significantly (P\u3c0.01) improved final BW, ADG, and F:G compared to controls. Feeding 200 mg /steer daily of Optaflexx provided 16.4 and 18.8 lb of added BW above controls for the 28 and 42 feeding duration, respectively, but most (approximately 87%) of this weight gain was within the first 28 days of the time that Optaflexx was fed