High Plains Journal, KS
03-02-07
Producers need to know value of ethanol co-products
By Jennifer Bremer
There are many benefits to feeding ethanol co-products to cattle, but there are
also several factors that need to be taken into account when adding these feed
stuffs to an everyday diet. Ethanol co-products are also commonly called
distillers grains.
"When determining how much distillers grains to add to a beef feedlot diet, it is
very important to know how it can impact the diet nutritionally," said Iowa State
University beef nutrition specialist, Dan Loy.
"Probably the most limiting factor in the co-products is sulfur. Sulfur is something
that most people don't always think about, but if the levels are too high, it can
cause sulfur toxicity and lead to polio in cattle," he said.
This condition is characterized by blindness, incoordination, staggering and
seizures. Sulfur toxicity is responsive to thiamin treatment but is not caused by a
thiamin deficiency.
Ethanol co-products may contain a high concentration of sulfur, according to Loy.
When cattle are transitioning to high sulfate intake conditions, the ruminal sulfide
concentration peaks one to three weeks after the change.
Loy stressed that it is not only important to know the levels of sulfur in the
product you are purchasing, but it is also important to test the levels of sulfur in
the water that the cattle are drinking.
He suggested that 0.4 percent sulfur is a level that is workable when adding
distillers grains to a diet. As long as the producer knows how to manage the
products nutritionally, they are a great addition to the diet.
He explained that sulfur is added in the fermentation process at ethanol plants
and some plants can have sulfur levels at as high as 0.9 percent on a dry matter
basis.
"Sulfur is definitely the first limiting factor in how much distillers grains can be
fed," he said.
Loy said other factors that should be looked at when adding ethanol co-products
to a diet include the cost of the product and the environmental consequences
that will be affected when feeding higher levels of the product.
Product price is economical
"The prices have been very economical, but it is important for producers to
monitor the price to make sure it continues to be a good option," he said.
"Currently distillers grains are 85 percent of the corn price and are at the same
moisture level."
He said that while it is more economical for producers who live closer to an
ethanol plant, it is still a good option if the source is further away, but they will
have to take into consideration what transportation will cost.
Environmentally producers need to know what they are spreading on their land in
the form of manure and the consequences of feeding higher levels of distillers
grains is yet to be completely determined.
There has been some discussion recently about the addition of distillers grains to
a diet and how that affects the quality grade of a carcass. Loy said it is important
to realize most of the studies that have been done have been designed to
measure feed efficiency and the measurement of quality grade is secondary.
More research is currently being done on the actual affect that distillers grains
have on carcass quality.
Distillers grains good for cows
Iowa State University livestock specialist Byron Leu said that distillers grains are
also a good feeding option for cow-calf producers.
"It is estimated that 23.1 million tons of distillers grains will be produced in Iowa in
future years, so it is important for us to find new ways to add this to the diet of our
livestock," said Leu.
In 2005 it was estimated that 71 percent of Iowa feedlots and 27 percent of Iowa
cow-calf producers were using distillers grains in their cattle diets. These
numbers continue to grow.
"Distillers grains provide cow-calf producers with many benefits because it is an
economical feed stuff, that is high in protein, high in energy, has positive
associative effects and is highly palatable," said Leu.
He did warn of the variability of the product between plants and stressed the
importance of knowing what you are getting, especially regarding moisture level
and price.
Since a cow has other things in her diet like hay and grass and they are fed less
of the distillers grains, Leu said the sulfur levels aren't as critical, but adjustments
may have to be made to balance the calcium and phosphorus levels.
A challenge that all producers who are feeding distillers grains have is delivery
and storage. Wet and modified distillers grains are high in moisture and need to
be packed tight with the oxygen removed.
"Ground cornstalks and distillers grains can be packed in a bunker and covered,
but if you are putting them into a bag, be careful not to pack the bag too tight,"
said Loy. "Once the bag is opened it is very important to keep feeding and
prevent spoilage."
Producer has used co-products for years
John Hall, a cattle producer from Ankeny, Iowa has been using corn co-products
in the diets of his cattle since 1984.
"I started using the corn co-products out of necessity because it was more
economical and I've continued to use it since then," said Hall. "I am thankful that
the rumen allows for changes in the diet and can adjust to new products."
He has one group of heifers that he is feeding 80 percent of the dry matter in
their diet as corn co-products.
"These co-products give a lot of room to cut costs and small producers don't
have to be left out because they can take advantage of this as well," said Hall.
"The most important thing that I would like to stress about these products is that
they can be variable and you have to estimate moisture to know how to feed the
load."
Knowing what kind of product is being delivered is very important, but he
stressed that the availability of this kind of economical and quality product is
important when adding value to the end product and being able to look at the
bottom line.
Jennifer Bremer can be reached by phone at 641-938-2342 or by e-mail at
jbremermaj@hotmail.com.