Wet Distillers Research Articles

Nutritive value of wet distillers' solubles for pigs

Digestibility and nitrogen (N) metabolism were studied to evaluate the nutritive value of wet barley distillers’ solubles (DSB) from an integrated starch-ethanol process for pigs. Eight castrated male pigs (live weight 72-103 kg) were used in a 8 x 3 cyclic change-over design, where the diets were arranged factorially 2x2. The corresponding factors were the protein source (DSB or soya bean meal (SBM)) and the protein level (131 or 162 g crude protein (CP)/kg dry matter (DM)). Faeces and urine were collected in total. The four diets comprised barley, barley starch, minerals and vitamins with either DSB or SBM as the main source of protein. The digestibility of CP(p

Wet corn distillers byproducts compared with dried corn distillers grains with solubles as a source of protein and energy for ruminants

Five trials investigated the feeding value of wet and dried corn distillers byproducts as a source of protein and energy for growing and finishing cattle and investigated the effect of heat damage on the feeding value of dried distillers byproducts. In a calf growth trial, no differences in rate of gain or protein efficiency were observed among calves fed wet distillers byproducts (wet distillers grains + thin stillage; WDB) or one of three composites of dried distillers grain + solubles (DDGS) having a low, medium, or high concentration of ADIN. A finishing trial compared the energy value of dry-rolled corn (DRC) with WDB or the three DDGS composites, fed at 40% of the diet DM replacing DRC. Cattle consuming WDB or DDGS gained faster (P < .05) and more efficiently (P < .05) than cattle fed DRC. Although gains were similar, cattle fed WDB consumed less feed (P < .10) and were more efficient (P < .10) than cattle fed DDGS. Level of ADIN in DDGS did not affect efficiency of gain (P > .10). In a lamb finishing trial, the addition of 5 or 10% ethanol did not affect (P > .10) daily gain, DMI, or feed efficiency. In two metabolism trials with steers, grain byproducts (wet distillers grains, dry distillers grains plus solubles, wet corn gluten feed, dry corn gluten feed, hominy feed) and DRC had similar effects on ruminal pH and total VFA. Feeding thin stillage or condensed solubles reduced (P < .10) ruminal pH and tended to reduce acetate:propionate. Wet corn distillers byproducts, fed at 40% of the diet DM, contain more NEg than did DRC and drying WDB reduces its NEg content. Acid detergent insoluble N is a poor indicator of protein and energy value in distillers grains.

Some problems in the translation of Japanese patents

Byproducts of corn and soybeans have high phosphorus (P) content, but little is known about their P disappearance in the rumen of lactating dairy cows. In situ disappearance of P from corn and soybean feed-stuffs was determined in 2 experiments. In the first experiment, 3 ruminally cannulated lactating dairy cows were used to estimate in situ P disappearance of 9 feed ingredients that included 3 sources of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDG; DGa, DGb, DGc), corn, corn germ, solvent-extracted soybean meal, (44% CP; SBM), expeller soybean meal (SoyPlus; SP), extruded soybeans (ES), and soyhulls (SH). Nylon bags were incubated in the rumen of each cow for 2, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 h. The water-soluble fraction of P (AP) was greatest in DDG (mean 82.1%) followed by corn germ (77%), with SH having the least AP among all feedstuffs (45%). The remaining feedstuffs (SBM, SP, ES, and corn) were similar in AP (64.2%). The slowly available fraction of P (BP) was greatest in SH (45.6%), lowest in DDG (13.5%), and intermediate, averaging 31.4%, in SBM, ES, SP, and corn. The effective disappearance of P (EDP) was greatest for DDG (93.5%), whereas corn germ, ES, SBM, and SP followed with an EDP of 93.3, 88.0, 87.5, and 87.0%, respectively. The EDP was less for corn and SH than for the other feedstuffs at 83.3 and 69.1%, respectively. Rate of P disappearance was similar for all feedstuffs (16.2%/h). In the second experiment, 3 new sources of DDG (DG1, DG2, and DG3), and one wet distillers grains with solubles (WDG) source were incubated for 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 h on replicate days in the rumen of 2 cannulated lactating dairy cows. Fraction AP varied from 82.7 to 90.3%, with that in WDG being the least soluble. The WDG source had a greater BP fraction (15.8%) compared with the DDG sources (9.5%). The WDG had the lowest EDP (88.1%), whereas the DDG varied from 89.7 to 92.7%. Corn and soybean byproducts tested, with the exception of SH, have high ruminal P disappearance as measured with the Dacron bag technique.

Feeding value of wet distillers byproducts for finishing ruminants.

Yearling and calf finishing trials (replicated over 2 yr) evaluated the feeding value of wet distillers byproducts (wet distillers grains and thin stillage). An additional trial estimated the amount of thin stillage bypassing the rumen when consumed by drinking. Yearlings were 5, 10, and 20% more efficient (linear, P < .01; quadratic, P = .05), whereas calves were 2, 6, and 14% more efficient (linear, P < .01) when fed 5.2, 12.6, and 40.0% (DM basis) wet distillers byproducts, respectively, compared with cattle fed a 79% dry-rolled corn diet. Cattle fed 5.2 or 12.6% wet distillers byproducts, or the dry-rolled corn diet, received similar amounts of protein (crude or metabolizable), which exceeded the metabolizable protein requirement of all cattle. Therefore, differences in efficiency were attributed to differences in energy utilization of the diets. Wet distillers byproducts fed at 5.2, 12.6 and 40.0% contributed 80, 62, and 47% more net energy for gain than corn when fed to yearlings and 17, 33, and 29% more net energy for gain than corn when fed to calves, respectively. Wet distillers byproducts averaged 169% the energy value of corn (2.53 Mcal of NEg/kg) when fed to yearlings and 128% the energy value of corn (1.96 Mcal of NEg/kg) when fed to calves. The increased energy values cannot be explained by increased digestibility, but they may be due to a combination of factors (reduced acidosis, increased energy utilization, yeast end products, etc.) that increase the net energy content of distillers byproducts. Approximately 50% of the thin stillage consumed by drinking bypassed ruminal fermentation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Milk production and concentrations of blood metabolites as influenced by the level of wet distiller’s solubles in dairy cows receiving grass silage-based diet

Twelve Finnish Ayrshire cows were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design with 4-week experimental periods to study the effects of replacing increasing amount of barley with wet distiller’s solubles (WDS) on feed intake, milk production, digestibility and blood constituents. The four dietary treatments consisted of grass silage ad libitum and 7.8 kg dry matter (DM)/d of barley, of which 0 (WDSO), 1 (WDS1), 2 (WDS2) and 3 kg DM/d (WDS3) was replaced with WDS. Mainly because of a greater intake of concentrate with WDS containing diets silage DM intake varied quadratically (P

The effects of barley vs. barley fibre with or without distiller's solubles on site and extent of nutrient digestion in cattle fed grass-silage-based diet

A 4 × 4 Latin square experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was carried out to determine the effects of by-products from integrated starch-ethanol production on the digestion of organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N) and cell wall carbohydrates in cattle fitted with rumen and duodenal cannulae. The diets consisted of 500 g kg −1 dry matter (DM) of a mixture of grass silage and hay (3:1 on DM basis) plus one of four concentrates: barley (BU), barley + wet distiller's solubles (WDS) (BD), barley fibre (FU) and barley fibre + WDS (FD). WDS comprised 150 g kg −1 of the total DM. The mean amount of DM given was 6.7 kg day −1. The amounts of OM entering the duodenum and voided in faeces were higher ( P < 0.001) with F diets than with B diets, and thus both rumen and total OM digestibility were lower ( P < 0.001) for F diets. Inclusion of WDS in the diet improved ( P < 0.001) rumen but not total OM digestibility. Because barley fibre has a higher fat content than has barley, the difference in digestible energy content between the diets was smaller than the difference in digestible OM content. Non-ammonia N (NAN) flow at the duodenum was higher ( P < 0.05) with F diets than with B diets, and was not increased by increasing dietary N content with WDS. The amount of microbial N entering the small intestine was greater ( P < 0.05) with B diets, whereas estimated feed N flow was higher ( P < 0.01) with F diets. The efficiency of microbial N synthesis increased ( P < 0.001) when F diets were fed and was decreased ( P < 0.01) by inclusion of WDS. The differences between B and F diets in their effects on the total digestibility of cell wall carbohydrates were small. The cattle fed F diets had higher rumen pH values ( P < 0.05) and molar proportions of propionate ( P < 0.001), and lower concentrations of total volatile fatty acids ( P < 0.05) and molar proportions of butyrate ( P < 0.001) than those fed B diets. Feeding WDS in the diet increased rumen ammonia concentration ( P < 0.01) and molar proportions of propionate ( P < 0.001) and butyrate ( P < 0.05) and decreased ( P < 0.001) that of acetate. Rumen protozoal number was lower ( P < 0.001) in cattle fed F diets than in those fed B diets. It is concluded that replacement of barley with barley fibre in the diet resulted in large changes in the digestion of dietary components and in rumen fermentation, and that duodenal NAN flow was not increased by including WDS in the diet.

Effects of Processing on the Supplemental Protein Value of Distillers Byproducts in Forage Diets

Five abomasal-cannulated wether lambs (25 kg) were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square arrangement of treatments to compare the supplemental protein value of unprocessed, fresh wet corn stillage (WCS) with that of centrifuge-processed wet distillers grains (WDG), distillers dried grains with solubles (DDG-S) and WCS that had been used to reconstitute and ensile early-bloom Kenhy tall fescue hay (EWCS). Each lamb received 530 g/d of dry matter (DM) as fescue hay (F) alone (negative control) or with sufficient byproduct DM to achieve daily nitrogen (N) intakes of 9.1 and 13.1 g, respectively, for the negative control and byproduct-supplemented treatments. Single degree of freedom contrasts were used to evaluate the effects of supplementation (F vs all supplements), solubles removal (WCS vs WDG), drying (WCS vs DDG-S) and ensiling (WCS vs EWCS). Apparent total tract DM digestibility was lower (P<.05) for EWCS than WCS (46.8 vs 52.5%), primarily due to lower cell wall digestibility (46.4 vs 52.6%). Supplementation increased (P<.05) abomasal flow of undegraded feed N (6.0 vs 4.4 g/d), apparent total tract N digestibility (62.3 vs 53.3%) and N retention (2.8 vs .9 g/d). Abomasal flow of undegraded feed N was greater (P<.05) and N retention was lower (P<.05) for EWCS than WCS (7.0 vs 5.4 and 1.6 vs 3.0 g/d, respectively). Abomasal microbial N flow was greater (P<.10) for WCS than processed byproduct treatments (5.2 vs 4.0 g/d); microbial crude protein synthesized in the rumen per 100 g organic matter (OM) fermented (corrected for microbial OM) averaged 9.7 g across all treatments. Ruminal degradability of feed N was similar (P>.10) among diets containing WCS, DDG-S and WDG (60.3, 57.6 and 53.1%, respectively), but was lower (P<.05) for EWCS (46.7%) than WCS. Reconstituting and ensiling forage with WCS enables long-term storage of wet byproduct and spares energy costs of producing DDG-S, but detracts from the feeding value of the same mixture blended fresh daily as evidenced by lower (P<.05) N retention in growing lambs.

Ruminal Nitrogen Degradability and Escape of Wet and Dry Distillers Grains and Wet and Dry Corn Gluten Feeds

Solubility and rate and extent of ruminal digestion of nitrogen in wet distillers grains, dry distillers grains, wet corn gluten feed, and dry corn gluten feed were evaluated in the laboratory, in situ, and in vivo. Distillers grains protein was the most insoluble in modified Burrough's mineral mix, corn gluten feed protein the least insoluble, and soybean meal protein intermediate. In the in situ trial (trial 1), nitrogen of wet and dry distillers grains and nitrogen of wet and dry corn gluten feed disappeared at similar rates, respectively. However, nitrogen disappearance rates were greater for wet and dry distillers grains. In the rumen escape trial (trial 2), wet distillers grains, dry distillers grains, wet corn gluten feed, and dry corn gluten feed were fed as supplemental protein sources and a urea control served to estimate endogenous nitrogen flow. Non-ammonia-nonbacterial nitrogen reaching the duodenum was lowest for steers fed the urea treatment (20.9 g/day). Rates were higher for wet distillers grains (64.1 g/day) and dried distillers grains (74.7 g/day) treatments compared to wet corn gluten feed (41.3 g/day) and dry corn gluten feed (32.7 g/day) treatments. Percentage protein apparently escaping rumen fermentation was greater for steers fed wet distillers grains (47%) or dried distillers grains (54%) than for those fed wet corn gluten feed (26%) or dry corn gluten feed (14%).

Preservation of Wet Distillers Grains and its Value as a Protein Source for Growing Ruminants

Preservation of Wet Distillers Grains and its Value as a Protein Source for Growing Ruminants

An evaluation of chemical methods to extend the allowable storage time of wet distillers' grains

An evaluation of chemical methods to extend the allowable storage time of wet distillers' grains

Wet Corn Distillers Grains in Lactating Dairy Cow Rations

A switchback design experiment with eight cows was used to evaluate wet corn distillers grains (33.9% dry matter) as a feed for lactating cows. All cows were fed corn silage ad libitum and 3.2kg of alfalfa hay daily. Cows on the control diet were fed an 18.6% crude protein concentrate mix of corn, oats, and soybean meal at 1 kg/2.5kg milk produced. Cows on the experimental diet were fed 13.6kg wet distillers grains (34% crude protein, dry) and a 10.9% crude protein concentrate mix of corn and oats at 1 kg/2.5kg milk produced in excess of 11kg milk daily. The reduced amount and reduced protein content of the concentrate mix fed to cows on the experimental ration was to compensate for protein and energy consumed as wet distillers grains. Cows averaged 12 wk postpartum at the start of the experiment, which consisted of three 4-wk periods. Cows fed control and wet distillers grains rations produced 27.0 and 27.6kg of milk daily. No differences in milk fat (3.44 and 3.41%), milk protein (3.09 and 3.10%), or total solids (12.1 and 12.16%) were observed. Total dry matter consumption was similar for control and wet distillers grains rations (20.3 and 20.8kg dry matter/day). Rumen volatile fatty acids, pH, and ammonia were similar for cows fed control and distillers grains rations. Wet distillers grain can be effective in rations for lactating dairy cattle as a protein and energy source.

A note on the effect of omitting the cereal supplement from a finishing diet offered to weaned single-suckled calves

SUMMARYWeaned single-suckled calves (male castrates) were offered a finishing diet which included 2·3 kg/day bruised barley (F) or a similar diet with the cereal supplement omitted (R) during the main winter feeding period. Some diet R steers had a subsequent grazing period and were re-housed for a second winter when the diet included a cereal supplement. The treatments caused differences in growth rate, distribution of slaughterings and grazing requirements. Diet R reduced growth rate and the steers took longer to reach slaughter, which was at a higher live weight, than on diet F at the same degree of finish. Steers on diet R produced 4·5% more carcass weight, 8·2% more lean, 4·1 % less fat and 11·2% more bone than those on diet F. They consumed more wet distillers' grains (21·1 %), swedes (25·5%) and grass silage (32·0%) from housing to slaughter but saved 80·0 % of the cereal consumed on diet F.

Growth and carcass characteristics of weaned single-suckled calves slaughtered on achieving slaughter condition or 8 or 16 weeks later

SUMMARY1. Weaned single-suckled calves (castrates) were housed at 260·7 kg live weight. Six genotypes, all two- or three-way crossbreds, were represented. A diet of bruised barley, wet distiller's grains, swedes and grass silage was offered until the required minimum live weight (363 kg) and body composition was reached. The cattle were then slaughtered (treatment A), or retained for 8 (treatment B) or 16 weeks (treatment C). During the period when treatment B and C animals were retained their diet was 53% bruised barley and 47% wet distiller's grains offered ad libitum.2. Live weights at slaughter were 418·2, 458·6 and 496·1 kg (P &lt; 0·001), carcass weights 240·5, 266·2 and 295·7 kg (P &lt; 0·001), and killing-out percentages 57·5, 58·1 and 59·6 (P&lt;0·01) for treatments A, B and C respectively. Daily live-weight gain did not decline during the 8 or 16 weeks cattle were retained on treatments B and C.3. Retaining the cattle to slaughter points B and C caused increases in the percentage of low-value joints in the carcass, carcass fat percentage, dry matter and fat contents of the dissected m. longissimus dorsi; and decreases in the percentage of high-value joints, carcass lean and bone percentage, crude protein and ash contents of m. longissimus dorsi. The carcass composition was 55·6, 53·5 and 51·4% lean (P&lt;0·001); 30·7, 33·3 and 36·2% fat (P&lt;0·001); 13·7, 13·2 and 12·4% bone (P&lt; 0·001) for treatments A, B and C respectively.4. The results are discussed in relation to the choice made by beef producers between slaughter and retention of cattle which have reached suitable live weight and condition for marketing.

The utilization of whole or bruised barley grain of different moisture contents given to beef cattle as a supplement to a forage-based diet

SUMMARY1. Fifty-four weaned single-suckled steer calves aged 11 to 14 mo were individually fed 2 kg wet distiller's grains, 10 kg swedes and an average of 11·5 kg grass silage daily. The quantity of silage offered was adjusted during the experiment in accordance with a live weight related scale. There were six treatments differing in the physical form, moisture content and level of barley grain offered. A nil barley supplement was compared with 2·5 kg barley dry matter daily offered either whole or bruised having been prepared for storage by drying (84·6% DM) and by treatment with propionic acid (79·9% DM); dried barley was also offered whole (at approximately 50% DM) after soaking in water for 24 hr. Each replicate of six cattle, one animal from each treatment, was slaughtered when all its members were subjectively estimated to have the required minimum body condition and minimum estimated carcass weight (186 kg) for marketing.2. A supplement of barley grain caused increases in daily live-weight gain, slaughter weight, carcass weight and carcass fat content; and reduced carcass lean and bone content. These effects were increased if the barley grain was processed by bruising compared to being consumed unprocessed (whole). There was no indication that the method of preparation for storage or the moisture content of the barley grain when consumed affected the results of the experiment. It was concluded that the costs of processing barley grain by bruising for feeding to growing cattle for slaughter will be exceeded by the value of the additional animal performance obtained in comparison to feeding whole barley grain.

Effects of using rations of reduced energy concentration for intensively reared beef cattle from 250 kg live weight to slaughter

SUMMARY1. Two experiments are described in which castrated Ayrshire cattle were reared on a conventional all-concentrate diet to 250 kg live weight. In Experiment 1 the effect of feeding a 1: 1 mixture (by weight) of barley and wet distiller's grains (WDG) from 250 to 408 kg live weight was examined. In Experiment 2 swedes and grass silage were offered in addition to WDG and barley during the growth phase from 250 kg live weight to slaughter. In both experiments a control group was fed an all-concentrate diet.2. The introduction of WDG to the diet (Experiment 1) caused a significantly lower daily live-weight gain (P &lt; 0·01) and an increase i n time to slaughter (P &lt; 0·01). Carcasses from the control and treated animals were similar in weight, conformation and composition. There were no differences in growth rates in Experiment 2. The treated animals were heavier (P &lt; 0·01) and older at slaughter (P &lt; 0·001) than those in the control group and they produced heavier carcasses (P &lt; 0·05). The carcasses were similar in composition but some differences in conformation occurred. These effects were the consequence of selecting animals for slaughter on the basis of equal finish (i.e. the ratio of muscle plus fat to bone assessed subjectively).3. The effect of reducing the dietary energy concentration appears t o be smaller with cattle over 250 kg live weight than with younger, lighter cattle. The results, which are discussed in economic terms, suggest that castrated Ayrshire cattle reared on all-concentrate diets should be changed to a diet of lower energy concentration using cheaper feed sources at 250 kg live weight.

The effects of variations in the energy concentration and protein source of complete diets for beef cattle

SUMMARYTwelve British Friesian and 12 Ayrshire castrated male calves were fed ad libitum one of three complete diets of differing energy concentration from approximately 140 to 410 kg live weight. Differences in energy concentration of the diets were achieved by inclusion of different proportions of wet distiller's grains (WDG). Increasing the proportion of WDG in the diet caused reductions in performance. This effect was more marked with the Friesians than with the Ayrshires. The treatments had small and generally non-significant effects on carcass conformation and composition.