Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles Diets Research Articles

Narasin effects on energy, nutrient, and fiber digestibility in corn-soybean meal or corn-soybean meal-dried distillers grains with solubles diets fed to 16-, 92-, and 141-kg pigs1

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of narasin on growth performance and on GE and nutrient digestibility in nursery, grower, and finishing pigs fed either a corn-soybean meal (CSBM) diet or a CSBM diet supplemented with distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), in combination with either 0 or 30 mg narasin/kg of diet. In Exp. 1 (64 gilts, initial BW = 9.0 kg, SD = 1.0 kg) and Exp. 2 (60 gilts. initial BW = 81.1 kg, SD = 6.1 kg), gilts were allotted into individual pens and fed their experimental diets for 24 and 21 d, respectively. On the last 2 d of each experiment, fecal samples were collected to assess apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE and various nutrients. In Exp. 3, 2 separate groups of 24 gilts (initial BW = 145.1 kg, SD = 7.8 kg) were allotted to individual metabolism crates and fed their experimental diets for 30 d prior to a time-based 6-d total fecal collection period to assess GE and nutrient digestibility. In Exp. 1, there was an interaction between diet type and narasin addition for G:F and for many of the ATTD coefficients measured. When narasin was supplemented to the CSBM diet, ATTD of GE, DM, C, S, phosphorus, NDF, and ADF was either not changed or reduced, while when narasin was supplemented to DDGS diets, these same ATTD parameters were increased (interaction, ≤ 0.05). Even though ADG and ADFI were not affected, G:F was improved in pigs fed the CSBM diet with supplemental narasin, but was reduced in pigs fed the DDGS diet with supplemental narasin (interaction, < 0.05). In Exp. 2, there was an interaction between diet type and narasin supplementation only for ATTD of Ca (interaction, < 0.01), in that narasin supplementation did not change the ATTD of Ca in pigs fed the CSBM diet, while narasin supplementation reduced the ATTD of Ca in pigs fed the DDGS containing diet. In Exp. 3, there was an interaction between diet and narasin only for ATTD of C (interaction, < 0.01) in that narasin supplementation resulted in an increased ATTD of C in pigs fed the CSBM diet, while narasin supplementation to the DDGS containing diet resulted in a reduced ATTD of Ca. In general, the data indicate that narasin interacted with and had its largest effect on pig performance and GE or nutrient digestibility in 9 to 23 kg pigs compared to pigs weighing greater than 80 kg. The data also indicate that the addition of DDGS reduced GE, DM, Ca, and N digestibility, regardless of BW.

Effect of maize DDGS addition on carcass and meat quality of lambs of native sheep breed

ABSTRACTThe aim of the study was to characterize carcass and meat quality of lambs of native sheep breed, which were fed a diet containing maize dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS). The experiment involved 20 ram lambs of the native sheep breed Polish Heath Sheep (Wrzosówka sheep), which were selected from a conservation herd. The lambs received meadow hay and straw ad libitum as well as about 0.4 kg of concentrate per animal. The control group (C) received a standard diet based on cereal components and soybean meal, and in the experimental group (D), soybean meal and part of barley and wheat were replaced with DDGS (the addition of 45% DDGS to the lamb concentrates). The fattening was carried out for 60 days (up to 8 months of age). The diet had no effect on carcass quality, proportion of cuts, basic chemical composition of the meat and cholesterol content. The intramuscular fat of lambs fed the DDGS diet had a higher proportion of linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) and conjugated linoleic acid, and a lower proportion of linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3), which had a negative effect on the polyunsaturated fatty acids n-6:n-3 ratio in the intramuscular fat. The addition of DDGS to the diet had a beneficial effect on the sensory properties of lamb meat, in particular its taste.

Effects of corn distillers dried grains with solubles on performance, oxidative status, intestinal immunity and meat quality of Chinese Yellow broilers

The study assessed the effects of different dietary levels of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on performance, oxidation status, intestinal immunity and meat quality in Chinese Yellow broilers aged from 1 to 63days. Lingnan male hatchings (1440) were randomly assigned to six treatments, each consisting of six replicates of 40 birds. The basal diet (I) was a typical corn-soya bean ration while the experimental diets (II to VI) partially substituted corn DDGS for soya bean meal. The level of substitution in starter, grower and finisher diets was as follows: II, 2%, 4% then 6%; III, 4%, 8% then 12%; IV, 6%, 12% then 18%; V, 8%, 16% then 24%; VI, 10%, 20% then 30%. Average daily feed intake and feed-to-gain ratio increased as linear responses to corn DDGS substitution from 1 to 21days (p<0.001). The plasma content of triglycerides and liver content of malondialdehyde increased as linear responses to corn DDGS substitution (p<0.05). There was a linear decrease (p<0.001) in jejunal abundance of IL-6 transcripts, with a substantial reduction to approximately 25% those of broilers fed the control diet, and a quadratic effect existed for secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) (p<0.001). In addition, increased dietary corn DDGS caused favourable changes in selected functional properties of the meat: drip loss at 24 and 96h increased as linear response to corn DDGS substitution (p<0.001). Further, meat colour L* values decreased and a* values increased linearly in response to increasing corn DDGS (p<0.05). In conclusion, diet IV (6%, 12% then 18% corn DDGS) in Chinese Yellow broiler diets had no negative effects on performance, antioxidant capacity and meat quality. This level of inclusion also appeared to promote sIgA secretion and enhance anti-inflammatory status.

Narasin effects on energy, nutrient, and fiber digestibility in corn-soybean meal or corn-soybean meal-dried distillers grains with solubles diets fed to 16-, 92-, and 141-kg pigs

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of narasin on growth performance and on GE and nutrient digestibility in nursery, grower, and finishing pigs fed either a corn-soybean meal (CSBM) diet or a CSBM diet supplemented with distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), in combination with either 0 or 30 mg narasin/kg of diet. In Exp. 1 (64 gilts, initial BW = 9.0 kg, SD = 1.0 kg) and Exp. 2 (60 gilts. initial BW = 81.1 kg, SD = 6.1 kg), gilts were allotted into individual pens and fed their experimental diets for 24 and 21 d, respectively. On the last 2 d of each experiment, fecal samples were collected to assess apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE and various nutrients. In Exp. 3, 2 separate groups of 24 gilts (initial BW = 145.1 kg, SD = 7.8 kg) were allotted to individual metabolism crates and fed their experimental diets for 30 d prior to a time-based 6-d total fecal collection period to assess GE and nutrient digestibility. In Exp. 1, there was an interaction between diet type and narasin addition for G:F and for many of the ATTD coefficients measured. When narasin was supplemented to the CSBM diet, ATTD of GE, DM, C, S, phosphorus, NDF, and ADF was either not changed or reduced, while when narasin was supplemented to DDGS diets, these same ATTD parameters were increased (interaction, ≤ 0.05). Even though ADG and ADFI were not affected, G:F was improved in pigs fed the CSBM diet with supplemental narasin, but was reduced in pigs fed the DDGS diet with supplemental narasin (interaction, < 0.05). In Exp. 2, there was an interaction between diet type and narasin supplementation only for ATTD of Ca (interaction, < 0.01), in that narasin supplementation did not change the ATTD of Ca in pigs fed the CSBM diet, while narasin supplementation reduced the ATTD of Ca in pigs fed the DDGS containing diet. In Exp. 3, there was an interaction between diet and narasin only for ATTD of C (interaction, < 0.01) in that narasin supplementation resulted in an increased ATTD of C in pigs fed the CSBM diet, while narasin supplementation to the DDGS containing diet resulted in a reduced ATTD of Ca. In general, the data indicate that narasin interacted with and had its largest effect on pig performance and GE or nutrient digestibility in 9 to 23 kg pigs compared to pigs weighing greater than 80 kg. The data also indicate that the addition of DDGS reduced GE, DM, Ca, and N digestibility, regardless of BW.

Impact of DDGS-supplemented diet with or without vitamin E and selenium supplementation on the fatty acid profile of beef

Abstract The impact of supplementation of vitamin E or organic selenium in DDGS (dried distillers grains with solubles) diet on fatty acid composition in two meat cuts of finishing Holstein bulls was investigated. Twenty-four Holstein bulls were allotted to treatments in three groups of eight bulls per group for a 100-day trial. The treatments were adequate Se and vitamin E supplementation in control group (C), supranutritional vitamin E supplementation in vitamin Group E (E), supranutritional Se supplementation in selenium group (Se). At similar age, slaughtering Group C had higher slaughter/carcass weight and EUROP fat score than Se counterparts. The killing out percentage and proximate composition of muscles differed among treatments. Inclusion of the vitamin E or Se supplement led to expected increases (P &lt; 0.05) in vitamin E and Se contents of the brisket and loin. Higher vitamin E concentration caused significant lower SFA and greater PUFA. Higher Se level influenced significant SFA in brisket and PUFA in both muscles. Vitamin E or Se dietary treatments in DDGS-supplemented diet resulted in beef meat cuts considerably beneficial PUFA/SFA but markedly higher n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio and even higher health index in both meat samples opposite to Group C.

Concentration of digestible and metabolizable energy and digestibility of energy and nutrients by growing pigs in distillers dried grains with solubles produced in and around Illinois

ABSTRACT Illinois is one the major corn producing states in the nation, and much of the corn produced in Illinois is used to produce ethanol. In recent years, ethanol plants have been centrifuging solubles, and the resulting distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) contains less fat than conventional DDGS. Therefore, the purpose of this experiment was to determine if the concentration of DE and ME in DDGS produced in and around Illinois varies among plants. Twenty-four barrows (average initial BW: 28.1 ± 1.8 kg) were randomly allotted to 1 of 24 dietary treatments in a 24 × 8 Youden square design with 24 diets and 8 periods. Approximately 250 kg of DDGS was procured from 23 ethanol plants, and a corn diet and 23 corn–DDGS diets were formulated. Results indicated that only 3 of the 23 sources of DDGS could be categorized as conventional DDGS with more than 10% acid hydrolyzed ether extract, whereas the remaining 20 sources of DDGS contained between 5 and 10% acid hydrolyzed ether extract, thus categorizing these sources as low-oil DDGS. The concentration of DE in conventional DDGS was greater (P

Improving productive performance and mitigating harmful emissions from laying hen excreta via feeding on graded levels of corn DDGS with or without Bacillus subtilis probiotic.

An experiment that included some inclusions of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) with or without supplementation of probiotic bacteria to Hi-sex Brown laying hen diets was conducted to evaluate the impacts on performance, egg quality, blood metabolites and nitrogen and phosphorus excretion in the manure. A total of 216 twenty-two-week-old Hi-sex Brown laying hens were randomly divided into eight treatment groups in a factorial design (4×2) experiment, which included four levels of DDGS (0, 50, 100 and 150g/kg diet) plus two levels of Bacillus subtilis probiotic (0 or 1000mg/kg diet, with a concentration of 1.5×108 CFU/g of dried product). The experimental period extended from 22 to 34weeks of age. The results showed that linear increase in DDGS level up to 150g/kg improved (p≤0.01) the values of feed consumption, egg shape index and yolk colour compared to the control and other treatment groups. Inclusion of dietary DDGS up to 150g/kg in layer diets led to a significant decrease in egg mass and a significant increase in Haugh unit score compared to other groups. In the bacillus group, the values of feed conversion, egg weight and egg mass enhanced by 6.45, 3.27 and 7.60% respectively compared with the control diet. Total protein, albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, calcium and ammonia in serum were significantly (p≤0.01) influenced by DDGS inclusion. The excreted nitrogen decreased by 8.62 and 4.31% in hens fed 50 or 100g/kg of DDGS respectively, while excreted phosphorous decreased by 3.33, 7.22 and 10.56% in hens fed 50, 100 or 150g/kg of DDGS respectively as compared to the control group. It could be concluded that increasing DDGS inclusion level in the diet up to 10% and the supplementation of probiotic bacteria improved the productive performance of laying hens and mitigated the harmful emissions from chicken manure; this means better production within environmentally friendly conditions.

Odor and Odorous Compound Emissions from Manure of Swine Fed Standard and Dried Distillers Grains with Soluble Supplemented Diets.

This study was conducted to determine the impact of diets containing dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on emissions of odor and odorous compounds from swine manure storage. Twenty-four pigs were fed either a corn-soybean meal (CSBM) diet or a diet containing 35% DDGS over a 42-d feeding trial. Their waste was collected and transferred to individual manure storage containers. Manure from pigs fed diets containing DDGS had significantly lower odorant emissions expressed in animal units for hydrogen sulfide (HS) and ammonia (NH) ( < 0.05) compared with pigs fed the CSBM diet, but emissions of volatile fatty acids and phenolic compounds were significantly higher ( < 0.05) for manures from animals fed the DDGS diet. There was no significant difference for indole compound emissions due to the dietary treatment applied. Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from manure accounted for less than 0.1% of carbon consumed for either diet. There were no significant differences in odor emissions for either diet as quantified with human panels or measured as the sum total of the odor activity value. Manure odors from pigs fed the CSBM diet were dominated by HS, whereas animals fed the diet containing DDGS were dominated by VOCs.

Pork fat quality of pigs fed distillers dried grains with solubles with variable oil content and evaluation of iodine value prediction equations.

Back, belly, and jowl fat samples of pigs fed control corn-soybean meal-based diets and diets containing 4 sources of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) were used to determine the impact of feeding DDGS with variable oil content on pork fat quality and to evaluate the precision and accuracy of published iodine value (IV) prediction equations. Dietary treatments consisted of 4 corn-soybean meal diets containing 40% DDGS from different sources with 10.7, 5.6, 14.2, or 16.0% ether extract (EE; as-fed) content. Diets did not contain any other supplemental lipid sources. Regardless of fat depot, SFA content (g/100 g fat) of pigs fed 5.6% EE DDGS (35.4) was greater ( < 0.05) than that of pigs fed 14.2 or 16.0% EE DDGS sources (34.4 and 30.2, respectively) and tended to be greater ( < 0.10) than that of pigs fed 10.7% EE DDGS (34.6). Pigs fed 10.7 and 14.2% EE DDGS had greater ( < 0.01) SFA concentration than pigs fed 16.0% EE DDGS. Regardless of fat depot, MUFA content (g/100 g fat) of pigs fed 10.7, 5.6, and 14.2% DDGS sources were similar (43.7, 43.1, and 43.0, respectively) but were greater ( < 0.01) than that of pigs fed 16.0% EE DDGS (40.0). A dietary treatment × fat depot interaction was observed for PUFA ( < 0.05) and IV ( = 0.079). Pigs fed 10.7, 5.6, and 14.2% DDGS sources had reduced ( < 0.01) PUFA concentration and IV compared with pigs fed 16.0% EE DDGS, but the magnitude of responses in PUFA and IV to the variable oil content of DDGS was greater in backfat than in belly and jowl fat. Carcass fat IV data were used to evaluate prediction error (PE) and bias of published carcass fat IV prediction equations. Equations using dietary C18:2 content or IV product as a single predictor resulted in highly variable PE (g/100 g) ranging from 3.43 to 8.36 and bias (g/100 g) ranging from -5.05 to 5.66. Using equations that included additional diet composition information and pig growth performance factors decreased PE (3.27 to 4.73) and bias (-3.37 to 1.73) of prediction for backfat compared with equations only based on the characteristics of dietary lipid, but this improvement was limited in the prediction for belly and jowl fat. Predictions based on percentage of DDGS in diets had the greatest PE (6.66 to 9.19) and bias (5.53 to 8.00).

Evaluation of ME predictions and the impact of feeding maize distillers dried grains with solubles with variable oil content on growth performance, carcass composition, and pork fat quality of growing-finishing pigs

A total of 432 pigs (initial BW: 25.8±5.1kg) were used to evaluate growth performance, carcass characteristics, and pork fat quality of growing-finishing pigs fed maize–soybean meal diets containing 40% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) with variable ether extract (EE) content, but similar predicted ME concentration (3232 to 3315kcal/kg predicted by a commercial service). Pigs were blocked by initial BW, and within blocks, pens were allotted randomly to 1 of 4 dietary treatments (9 pigs/pen, 12 replicates/treatment) in a 4-phase feeding program (26–50kg, 50–75kg, 75–100kg, and 100–120kg BW). Dietary treatments consisted of: (1) maize–soybean meal (CON); (2) 40% low-oil DDGS (59g/kg EE; LOW); (3) 40% medium-oil DDGS (99g/kg EE; MED); and (4) 40% high-oil DDGS (142g/kg EE; HIGH). Diets contained similar concentrations of standardized ileal digestible amino acids and standardized total tract digestible P within each phase. Overall, ADFI of pigs fed CON was greater (P<0.05) than those fed MED and HIGH, resulting in pigs fed CON having greater (P<0.05) overall ADG than pigs fed LOW, MED, and HIGH diets. However, ADFI and ADG did not differ among DDGS treatments, but pigs fed LOW had reduced (P<0.05) G:F compared with the other treatments. Pigs fed CON had greater (P<0.05) HCW, carcass yield, and LM area than those fed the DDGS diets, but there were no differences among DDGS treatments. No treatment differences were observed for backfat depth and percentage of carcass fat-free lean. Back, belly, and jowl fat iodine value of pigs fed LOW and MED were less (P<0.01) than in pigs fed HIGH but greater (P<0.01) than in pigs fed CON. Based on the observed overall G:F responses, dietary ME content of LOW was less than MED, HIGH, and CON diets, indicating a slight overestimation of predicted ME concentration for the low-oil DDGS source using either the commercial service estimates or the Anderson et al. (2012) equations. In conclusion, including 40% DDGS in maize–soybean meal-based diets negatively impacted the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs. However, reduced EE content of DDGS sources did not affect ADG, ADFI, and carcass composition, and led to improvements in pork fat quality. These results suggest that current ME predictions need to be refined for more accurate estimation of ME content for low-oil DDGS sources for swine.

Validation of metabolisable energy prediction equation for de-oiled corn distillers dried grains with solubles fed to finishing pigs

This experiment was conducted to determine the accuracy of a prediction equation for metabolisable energy (ME) content generated from the chemical composition of de-oiled corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in finishing pigs. A total of 72 pigs (average initial body weight 85.7 kg), with four pigs per pen and six pens per treatment, were fed one of the three experimental diets. The experimental diets were a corn-soybean meal basal diet or two diets containing 30% de-oiled DDGS diets. The experimental diets were formulated using ME values obtained from a prediction equation or NRC. ME prediction equation for the de-oiled DDGS was ME = 4066 – (46.3×%neutral detergent fibre (NDF)) + (45.8×%CP) – (106.2×%ash). Overall, the pigs fed the diet calculated with an ME from NRC had significantly lower ADG, feed efficiency, hot carcass weight, Longissimus muscle area and leptin concentration in serum compared with pigs fed the diet with an ME calculated by the prediction equation (p < 0.05). Glucose and low-density lipoprotein concentrations in pigs fed the diet calculated by NRC and were significantly reduced compared with pigs fed the control diet (p < 0.05). Lipase concentration in pigs fed the diet calculated by prediction equation was higher compared with pigs fed the diet calculated by NRC (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the prediction equation of ME content in de-oiled DDGS was more accurate than the value and its use resulted in improved pig performance.

Nutrient digestibility, digesta volatile fatty acids, and intestinal bacterial profile in growing pigs fed a distillers dried grains with solubles containing diet supplemented with a multi-enzyme cocktail

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of adding a multi-enzyme cocktail (MC) to a distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS)-containing diet on energy and nutrient coefficients of apparent ileal (CAID) and total tract (CATTD) digestibility, digesta volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, and gut bacterial profile using ileal-cannulated barrows (n = 9; 62.7 ± 6.4 Kg initial body weight). Three isocaloric/isonitrogenous diets based on corn and soybean meal with 0 (control) or 30% DDGS (DDGS diet) and DDGS diet supplemented with MC (DDGS + MC) were used. The 3 diets were fed to pigs in a 2-period change over design to obtain 6 observations per diet. A casein–cornstarch-based diet was used in a separate period to determine basal endogenous N and AA losses to estimate standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of AA. All diets contained titanium dioxide as a digestibility marker. Ileal digesta and feces were used for VFA and bacterial profile determination, respectively. The CAID for DM, N, starch, and energy were greater (P 0.10). The DDGS diet also decreased (P 0.10) for N and NDF. However, diet had no effect (P > 0.10) on hindgut nutrient disappearance. Diet did not influence (P > 0.10) digesta pH and VFA concentrations except for isovalerate concentration, which was greatest (P 0.10) by diet. In conclusion, adding MC to the DDGS diet improved the digestibility of DM, starch, most AA, but not NDF and N digestibility. The results show that addition of MC to the DDGS diet stimulated the growth of intestinal bacteria with xylanolytic and cellulolytic activities.

The feeding of dried distillers' grains with solubles to lactating sows

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the feeding of dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) in sow lactation diets. In Exp. 1, 168 multiparous sows (PIC, Camborough 22) were fed a 10% DDGS diet throughout gestation. Sows were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 corn-soybean meal lactation diets formulated to contain different levels of DDGS (0, 10, 20, and 30%, respectively). All diets were formulated to be isocaloric (3.46 Mcal ME/kg) and all other nutrients exceeded NRC (1998) nutrient recommendations. Sow ADFI was not different ( > 0.10) as DDGS level increased. Increasing DDGS resulted in a linear ( < 0.03) increase in sow weight gain (7.5, 11.3, 20.3, and 17.2 kg, respectively) and a reduction in wean-to-first-service interval (7.1, 5.2, 5.0, and 4.9 d, respectively). Increasing DDGS did not affect subsequent total born per litter (13.7, 12.8, 13.3, and 12.3, respectively; > 0.10). In Exp. 2 and 3, lactation diets consisted of corn and 20, 30, 40, or 50% DDGS. Diets were formulated at 3.25 Mcal ME/kg, 1.05% standardized ileal digestible lysine, and all other nutrients to exceed NRC (1998) nutrient recommendations. In both experiments, sows (PIC, Camborough) were fed 40% DDGS in gestation and allocated to a randomized complete block based on the parity of the sow at the time of entry into the farrowing house. In Exp. 2, 256 gilts and multiparous sows were fed the randomly assigned diets. As DDGS inclusion increased, sow feed intake (6.2, 6.2, 6.0, and 5.9 kg/d, respectively) and sow weight gain (10.5, 10.3, 8.2, and 6.2 kg, respectively) tended to linearly decrease ( < 0.06). Sow wean to estrus differed between 20 and 30% DDGS inclusion (4.9 vs. 6.9 d; < 0.01). Litter gain was not different (2.55, 2.53, 2.51, and 2.59 kg/d, respectively; > 0.10) as DDGS inclusion increased. In Exp. 3, 98 multiparous sows were randomly allotted to 1 of the 4 experimental diets during the summer months. Sow feed intake, sow weight gain, and litter gain were not different ( > 0.10) between treatments. The data suggest that feeding high levels of DDGS of 40 to 50% may reduce sow feed intake and litter performance. These results demonstrate that feeding up to 30% DDGS in lactation diets can be done without adversely influencing sow or litter performance.

Effect of dried distillers grains with solubles or corn in growing cattle diets, followed by a corn-based finishing diet, on performance of feedlot cattle

The experiment was conducted to evaluate growth performance of cattle fed a dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS)-based diet during the growing phase followed by a corn-based finishing diet in comparison with cattle fed a corn-based diet throughout the entire feeding period. Seventy Angus × Simmental cattle (42 steers and 28 heifers; 351 ± 6.8 kg average initial BW) were blocked by BW and sex and allotted to 2 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were: (1) corn-based diet fed for 126 days (control), and (2) 60% DDGS diet fed for 70 days followed by the corn-based control diet fed until day 126 (DDGS/Corn treatment). Average daily gain, DMI, G:F, and dietary NEm and NEg were determined from day 0 to 70 (period 1; growing phase), day 71 to 126 (period 2; finishing phase), and day 0 to 126 (overall). Statistical analyses were conducted using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Average daily gain and G:F were greater (P ≤ 0.01) for the control than for the DDGS/Corn treatment in period 1, but greater (P < 0.01) for the DDGS/Corn treatment in period 2 when compared to the control treatment. However, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.44) in ADG and G:F between treatments over the entire feeding period. Animals from the control treatment had greater (P ≤ 0.01) DMI in period 1 and overall. Calculated dietary NEm and NEg were greater (P < 0.01) for the DDGS/Corn treatment when compared to the control treatment only in period 2. However, the observed-to-expected ratios of NEm and NEg were greater (P ≤ 0.01) for the DDGS/Corn group in all periods. Moreover, total corn intake was decreased (P < 0.01) for the DDGS/Corn group in period 1 and overall, although no differences (P = 0.50) were observed between treatments in period 2. In conclusion, feeding DDGS-based diets to growing cattle negatively affects performance during the initial feedlot period, but when cattle are switched to a corn-based diet in the finishing phase, those negative effects are overcome due to compensatory growth, and overall performance is similar to that of cattle fed corn for the entire feeding period (126 days). Thus, increasing DDGS in the diets of growing cattle and then switching to a corn-based finishing diet is a nutritional strategy that can be used to decrease feed costs and reduce beef producers’ reliance on corn grain when corn prices are elevated.

The effects of feeding sorghum dried distillers grains with solubles on finishing pig growth performance, carcass characteristics, and fat quality.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding sorghum dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in grain sorghum– or corn-based diets on pig growth performance, carcass characteristics, and carcass fat quality. A total of 288 finishing pigs (BW 58.8 ± 4.43 kg; Line TR 4 × 1050, PIC, Hendersonville, TN) were used in a 73-d study. Pigs were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 6 pens of 8 pigs per treatment. Treatments included grain sorghum–based diets with 0%, 15%, 30%, or 45% sorghum DDGS (29.0% CP, 7.2% ether extract); a grain sorghum–based diet with 30% corn DDGS (25.7% CP, 8.7% ether extract); and a corn-based diet with 30% corn DDGS. The diets were formulated to 0.95%, 0.83%, and 0.71% standardized ileal digestible Lys in phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and were not balanced for energy. On d 73, a subsample of 72 pigs (1 barrow and 1 gilt/pen) was harvested at Kansas State University’s Meats Laboratory. Carcass traits were calculated, as well as 10th-rib LM color, marbling and firmness, and fat color score. Fat samples from the 10th rib were collected and analyzed for fatty acid profile, which was used to calculate iodine value (IV). The remaining pigs were transported to a commercial packing plant (Triumph Foods, St. Joseph, MO) for carcass measurement and jowl IV determinations. Overall, increasing the dietary sorghum DDGS reduced (linear, P < 0.01) ADG and increased (linear, P < 0.01) back fat IV. Pigs fed increasing sorghum DDGS had decreased 10th-rib fat a* (less red) and b* (less yellow; P < 0.01 and 0.06, respectively). No differences were observed in growth performance or back fat IV among pigs fed corn- or grain sorghum–based diets with 30% corn DDGS. Pigs fed the grain sorghum–based diet with 30% corn DDGS had fat color that was more yellow (b*; P < 0.03) than that of pigs fed the grain sorghum–based diet with 30% sorghum DDGS. Pigs fed the grain sorghum–based diet with 30% sorghum DDGS also had decreased back fat IV (P < 0.01) and fat that was whiter (L*; P < 0.02) than that of those fed the grain sorghum–based diet with corn DDGS. Pigs fed grain sorghum with 30% sorghum DDGS had lower (P < 0.01) back fat IV than pigs fed corn with 30% corn DDGS. Feeding a grain sorghum–based diet with increasing sorghum DDGS reduces ADG when diets are not balanced for energy but, when fed at 30% of the diet, produces firmer pork fat than feeding a corn-based diet with 30% corn DDGS, which may be preferred for pork export markets.

Wean-to-finish feeder space availability effects on nursery and finishing pig performance and total tract digestibility in a commercial setting when feeding dried distillers grains with solubles1

The study objectives were to determine nursery phase feeder space allowance effects on pig performance when double stocked and, second, to determine feeder space allowance and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) inclusion level effects on pig performance and nutrient digestibility during the growing-finishing phase. This study was performed on the same group of pigs within a commercial wean-finish system. For the nursery phase, a completely randomized design was used to compare 3 feeder space allowance treatments (2.1, 2.5, and 2.9 cm/pig). A total of 3,720 pigs were randomly allotted to same-sex pens (10 feeders/treatment) housing 62 pigs/pen. Thirty 7-hole, double-sided feeders were utilized in the study. Differing linear feeder space treatments were established by blocking off sections for the nursery and grow-finish portions of this experiment. All pigs were provided equal floor space (0.26 m2/pig). In the grow-finish phase, a total of 1,860 pigs (n = 60 pens) were utilized in a 2 × 3 factorial design with 3 feeder space allowances (4.1, 4.9, or 5.7 cm/pig) and 2 dietary DDGS treatments (30% [D30] or 60% [D60]). Fecal and diet samples were collected and analyzed to estimate apparent total tract digestibility percentage (ATTD %). In the nursery portion of the trial, there was no feeder space treatment effect on ADG, ADFI, or feed efficiency (P > 0.10) from weaning to d 56 postweaning or during any weigh period. In the grow-finish portion of the trial, feeder space allowance and DDGS inclusion level did not affect ADG, ADFI, or feed efficiency (P > 0.05) from d 57 postweaning to market. Pigs fed the D30 diet had greater HCW, percent yield, and loin depth than those on the D60 diet (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the D30 treatment had greater (P < 0.05) ATTD for DM and GE for both collection periods compared with those on the D60 treatment. In summary, feeder space allowance did not impact pig performance during the nursery or grow-finish production phases. Inclusion of DDGS at higher levels will decrease ADFI but not ADG or efficiency when isocaloric diets are fed. The inclusion level of DDGS does impact HCW and percent yield because of increasing intestinal weights when pigs are fed diets containing increasing DDGS inclusion rates. Dry matter and energy digestibility were greater in pigs fed the lower DDGS treatment.

Effects of dietary distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance, oxidative stress, and immune function in broiler chickens

Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) from corn contain relatively large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids and some yeast components, which may increase oxidative stress and alter immune function, respectively, when fed to broilers. Therefore, the study was undertaken to assess the effects of distillers dried grains with soluble (DDGS) on broilers under immunosuppressive challenge. One-day-old male broiler chickens (300) were assigned to 2 treatments with 6 replicates pretreatment. Birds were fed diets formulated to contain 0, 15% corn-based DDGS, respectively. The experimental diets were fed for 6 weeks in 2 phases. On day 21, serum IgA, IgG content and malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and total antioxidant activity (T-AOC) capacity were analyzed. Chickens were then randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatment groups: negative control (NC) corn-soybean meal diet without dexamethasone (DEX) challenge, positive control (PC) corn-soybean meal diet with (DEX) challenge, 15% DDGS without DEX challenge (D), 15% DDGS with DEX (D+DEX). Based on these results, dietary DDGS did not influence ADG, ADFI and F:G of 21 d, 28 d and 42 d chicks (P > 0.05), however, DEX affected ADG and F:G of 28 d chicks remarkably (P < 0.05). Relative weights of liver, abdominal fat, spleen, thymus, and bursa were influenced by DEX challenge on d 28 (P < 0.05). DDGS reduced serum T-AOC, T-SOD, whereas increased IgA, IgG and MDA of 21-day-old broilers significantly (P < 0.05). Dietary DDGS also reduced liver T-SOD of 21-day-old broilers significantly (P < 0.05). Based on real-time PCR, 28 d chicks fed DDGS had a greater relative abundance of mRNA encoding IL-4 and IL-6 (P < 0.05), whereas DEX decreased the expression of GPX, IL-6, IL-10 (P < 0.05). Thus, 15% dietary DDGS inclusion has the beneficial effects on immune functions for broilers to some degree.

Effect of sorghum distillers dried grains with solubles and microbial enzymes on metabolizable and net energy values of broiler diets

There is generally no information regarding the influence of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on the net energy (NE) value of broiler diets. It was hypothesized that the ME content of DDGS may overestimate its productive energy, leading to higher heat increment when used in broiler diets. Furthermore, it was of interest to investigate the potential benefits of a mixture of carbohydrases and protease on energy partitioning in diets containing DDGS. In this study, 2 evaluations, comparative slaughter (CS) or indirect calorimetry (IC), were conducted using the same batch of birds and feed. Two levels of DDGS (0 or 30%) without or with an enzyme mixture were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The CS evaluation used 240 male Ross 308 broiler chicks with 6 replicates (10 birds each) per treatment from d 18 to 28. Carcass energy values were examined in 2 birds per replicate on each of d 18 and 28 to determine heat production (HP), NE, and ME. The IC evaluation used 32 birds acclimatized to 16 closed-circuit calorimeters (2 birds per chamber) following energy partitioning measurement by gaseous exchange and total excreta collection from 18 to 24 d. Birds fed DDGS had increased feed efficiency during starter and grower phases (P < 0.001). The CS showed no difference in HP between birds fed diets with or without DDGS. When measured by IC, birds fed diets containing DDGS had higher HP and lower NE (P < 0.01). Enzyme supplementation had no effect on HP, ME, or NE:ME ratio measured using CS or IC but increased NE and NE intake (P < 0.01) from d 18 to 28. Carcass fat retention was decreased (P < 0.05) and there was a lower NE (P < 0.01) in birds fed the DDGS-diets. This study showed that 30% dietary DDGS affects energy partitioning in broilers with more heat produced, decreased dietary NE, and less fat retained in the carcass.

Intakes and excretion route of nitrogen, phosphorous and sulfur by finishing beef heifers fed increasing levels of wheat dried distillers grains with solubles to substitute for barley grain and barley silage

A study was conducted to determine the fecal and urinary excretion of N, P and S with increasing inclusion of wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) to substitute for barley grain and barley silage in finishing diet fed to growing beef heifers. Eight ruminally fistulated Angus heifers were assigned to a replicated 4×4 Latin square design with 21d periods using diets consisting of barley silage, barley concentrate, and wheat DDGS in ratios of 150:850:0, 100:650:250, 50:650:300 and 0:650:350 (DM basis), respectively, for control (CON), low (DDGS25), medium (DDGS30) and high (DDGS35) DDGS diets. Heifers were fed a total mixed ration for ad libitum intake. Total collection of feces and urine were conducted for 5d in each experimental period. Intake of N was higher for heifers fed DDGS diets than heifers fed CON diet with no differences among DDGS diets. The increased N intake resulted in an increase in N retention as well as increased N excretion. The N was primarily excreted in urine (~700g/kg N excreted) with less in feces (~300g/kg N excreted). Urinary N excretion linearly increased, whereas fecal N excretion linearly decreased, with increasing dietary DDGS inclusion. Intake of P was higher for DDGS than CON, but linearly decreased with increasing DDGS inclusion in the diets due to decreased DMI. Total P excretion was higher whereas P retention was lower in heifers fed DDGS than heifers fed CON diets. The majority of P was excreted by feces (from 897 to 634g/kg P excreted) and linearly decreased with increasing dietary DDGS inclusion; conversely, the urinary P excretion linearly increased. Feeding DDGS diets considerably increased S intake with no differences among DDGS diets. Only a small part of S consumed was retained and the excretion of S via feces was lower, but the excretion via urine was higher, for heifers fed DDGS compared with heifers fed CON diet. Results indicate that inclusion 250 to 350g/kg wheat DDGS in finishing diets substantially increased the intakes and excretion of N, P, and S. Increasing the excretion of N, P, and S is a primary environmental concern when using DDGS in feedlot cattle. Developing nutrient management programs that minimize N, P and S losses to the environment and maximize plant use need to be considered.

Effects of dietary sulfur and distillers dried grains with solubles on carcass characteristics, loin quality, and tissue concentrations of sulfur, selenium, and copper in growing-finishing pigs.

Inclusion of up to 0.38% S in diets that contain 30% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) has no negative effect on growth performance of growing-finishing pigs, but there is no information about the effects of dietary S on accumulation of S in tissues in pigs. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to determine if the concentration of S in diets containing DDGS affects carcass characteristics, loin quality, or tissue mineral concentrations in growing-finishing pigs. A total of 120 barrows (34.2 ± 2.3 kg BW) were allotted to 3 dietary treatments with 10 replicate pens and 4 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design. Pigs were fed grower diets for 42 d and finisher diets for 42 d. At the conclusion of the experiment, the pig in each pen with the BW closest to the pen average was slaughtered. The control diet was based on corn and soybean meal and the finisher diet contained 0.14% S, 0.19 mg/kg Se, and 15.3 mg/kg Cu. The DDGS diet was formulated with corn, soybean meal, and 30% DDGS and the finisher diet with DDGS contained 0.16% S, 0.32 mg/kg Se, and 14.0 mg/kg Cu. The DDGS plus S (DDGS-S) diet was similar to the DDGS diet, except that 1.10% CaSO4 (16.2% S) was included in this diet, and the finisher diet with DDGS-S contained 0.37% S, 0.35 mg/kg Se, and 13.8 mg/kg Cu. Results indicated that organ weights and loin quality, 24-h pH, drip loss, loin subjective color, marbling, and firmness did not differ among treatments, but loin a* was greater (P < 0.05) for pigs fed the control diet than for pigs fed the DDGS-S diet. Concentrations of S in hair, liver, heart, loin, and all other tissues did not differ among treatments, but urinary S concentration was greater (P < 0.05) for pigs fed the DDGS-S diet than for pigs fed the other diets. Pigs fed the DDGS diet or the DDGS-S diet had greater (P < 0.01) concentrations of Se in hair, liver, heart, and loin than pigs fed the control diet, but liver concentrations of Cu did not differ among treatments. In conclusion, inclusion of 30% DDGS in diets fed to growing-finishing pigs did not influence carcass characteristics or tissue S concentrations regardless of S concentration in the diet, and excess dietary S was excreted in the urine. However, because of the greater concentration of Se in DDGS than in corn and soybean meal and, therefore, greater concentrations in DDGS-containing diets, tissue concentrations of Se were increased in pigs fed diets that contained DDGS. In contrast, dietary DDGS did not influence liver concentrations of Cu.