Distillers Grain Instilling Surplus Concern

US - The projected expansion in U.S. corn-based ethanol production over the next several years has created concern that large surpluses of distillers grains may result.
calendar icon 17 March 2008
clock icon 2 minute read

Most of the distillers grains currently being produced are consumed by the domestic livestock and poultry industries, especially the beef industry.

A recent study by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development projects that the U.S. ethanol industry could produce between 40 million and 88 million metric tons of distillers grains (dry matter basis) per year by 2011.

The proportion of these distillers grains that would need to be consumed by the beef industry to prevent surpluses poses questions about how much distillers grains can be included in beef rations, the effects of feeding distillers grains on beef quality, and how current consumption patterns are likely to change as production of distillers grains increases.

As more data from feeding trials have become available, a better understanding of the benefits and effects of feeding distillers grains is emerging. =

Some U.S. distillers grains are exported, but the primary users are the domestic livestock and poultry industries, especially beef and dairy cattle because ruminants are best suited to the low starch and high fiber levels in conventional distillers grains. As will be discussed in this paper, estimates vary on how much distillers grains can and should be used in rations.

The report states that optimal inclusion levels are 30% to 40% in beef rations, although higher rates can be used (Westcott 2007). Beef feeding trials have shown that excellent performance has been achieved at inclusion levels of 40% to 50% (Loy 2007).

By comparison, “recommended maximum inclusion levels are 20 to 25 percent for dairy, 20 percent for growing and finishing hogs, and 15 percent for the grower and finisher stages of poultry feeding” (Westcott 2007, p. 12).USDA (2007a) estimates that beef cattle consume about 80% of the distillers grains being fed to domestic livestock and poultry.

The projected volume of distillers grains that will need to be consumed to prevent surpluses as production increases has raised questions about the amount of distillers grains that can reasonably be included in beef rations and whether high inclusion levels affect beef quality.

As more data from feedings trials have become available, a better understanding of the benefits and effects of feeding distillers grains is emerging to help answer these questions.

Further Reading

More information - You can view the full report by clicking here.

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