Wet Distillers Research Articles

PSXII-7 In vitro ruminal and total tract digestibility of diets containing high inclusions of wet distillers grains for feedlot sheep

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the effects of increasing inclusion of wet distillers grains (WDG) on in vitro ruminal and total tract digestibility in feedlot sheep. Three crossbred ruminally-cannulated male sheep were used as rumen liquid donor. Treatments consisted of isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets, containing 0, 15, 30 or 45% WDG on DM basis (Control, 15WDG, 30WDG, and 45WDG, respectively). Diets were composed of sugarcane bagasse (20%) and the concentrate (80%) composed of soybean meal (except 45WDG), wheat meal, WDG (except Control), urea, limestone, and mineral-vitamin premix. In vitro digestibility of DM (IVDMD), NDF (IVNDFD), and CP (IVCPD) were performed using the Ankom-DaisyII fermenter. Ruminal digestibility was evaluated after 48h incubation (39°C) using twenty-five filter bags. After 48h, twelve filter bags remained into each jar to evaluate the total tract digestibility. For it, 40mL of 6N HCl and 8g of pepsin were added and incubated for another 24h. The post-ruminal digestibility was calculated by the difference between rumen and total tract digestibility. Data were analyzed using SAS software. Contrasts were used to determine the linear and quadratic effects of WDG inclusions, as well as the contrast Control × WDG treatments. The WDG inclusion linearly decreased the ruminal and total DM and CP digestibility and increased the post-rumen CP digestibility (P < 0.05). When all treatments with WDG were evaluated against the Control, a significant effect was observed for IVDMD, with averages of 68.86 × 77.38%, 5.60 × 0.77% and 71.41 × 78.20%, and for IVCPD, with averages of 68.89 × 95.27%, 21.30 × 1.99% and 90.15 × 97.27%, respectively for rumen, post-rumen and total tract digestibility (P < 0.05). The results indicate that inclusions of WDG at up to 45% in the diets for sheep reduce the ruminal and total DM utilization, however, promote a better post-rumen use of CP of diets.

PSXIV-8 Inclusion of byproducts derived from the process of corn ethanol production in finishing cattle diets

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance and metabolism responses of finishing cattle to dietary inclusion of corn ethanol byproducts. All diets were isonitrogenous and contained 15% corn silage, 12% soyhulls, 0.55 to 0.85% urea and 2.25% mineral supplement. Treatments were (dry basis): Control [8% whole cottonseed, 5% soybean meal and 56.9% ground corn (GC)]; High Protein Distillers Grains (HPDG; 10.3% HPDG and 59.65% GC); Dry Distillers Grains plus Solubles (DDBS; 30% DDBS and 39.65% GC); Wet Distillers Brain plus Solubles (WDGS; 30% WDGS and 39.65% GC). In Exp. 1, 268 Nellore bulls were blocked by initial body weight (423.3 kg ± 36.6 kg), assigned to 44 pens in a randomized complete block design and fed for 110 days. Dry matter intake (DMI) tended (P = 0.058) to be greater for DDBS compared with WDBS (11.2 vs. 10.3 kg, respectively). Average daily gain was greater (P < 0.05) for DDBS compared with HPDG (1.62 vs 1.45 kg respectively) and tended (P = 0.086) to be greater for DDBS compared with control (1.62 vs. 1.48 kg respectively). Hot carcass weight was greater (P < 0.05) for DDBS compared with the other treatments (332 vs. 321 kg respectively). Feed efficiency, carcass dressing, ribeye area and back fat thickness were not affected (P > 0.05) by treatments. In Exp. 2, four rumen cannulated Nellore steers (389 ± 37 kg) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Total tract digestibility of dry matter was greater (P < 0.05) for HPDG compared with DDBS (76.8 vs. 68.5% respectively). Rumen acetate:propionate ratio was less (P < 0.01) for HPDG and DDBS (2.01) compared to control and WDBS (2.72). The greater HCW of bulls fed DDBS may be the result of its positive effect on DMI and rumen VFA profile.

Risk factors affecting dairy cattle protective grouping behavior, commonly known as bunching, against Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) on California dairies.

Bunching is the term used to describe the protective aggregating behavior of cattle against the painful bites of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans), where cattle gather in a group with their heads to the center of the group and their tails to the outside to reduce stable fly attack. Both sexes of the stable fly feed on blood, and their painful bites negatively impact cattle health, productivity and welfare. A longitudinal study was conducted from April to July 2017 to estimate the stable fly activity on 20 California dairies (average herd size = 2466 ± 1050), to determine stable fly activity that induced bunching, and to evaluate the association between management and environmental factors, and cattle bunching. Stable fly activity was recorded weekly using trap counts and leg counts. Data was analyzed using linear mixed models with odds ratio. Cattle bunching at the dairy level was predicted by mean trap counts of ≥150 flies/trap/week, while bunching at the pen level was predicted by mean leg counts >1 fly/leg/cow or mean trap counts >50 flies/trap/week for traps closest to the pen. Additional risk factors predicting cattle bunching at the dairy level were study week (May/June vs July), presence of crops adjacent to dairy >2 sides, and feeding wet distillers grain. Additional risk factors predicting cattle bunching at the pen level were study week (May/June vs July), ambient temperature ≤30°C, pen design (freestall vs open dry lot or bedded pack), production status (lactating/dry vs close-up), presence of crops surrounding cattle pens, feeding rations containing molasses. Cattle bunching was reduced at the pen level by relative humidity >50%, and when the cattle pen was surrounded by other cattle pens or was bordered by a main road. At the dairy level, removal of manure along fence lines of cattle pens was protective against cattle bunching.

The inclusion of de-oiled wet distillers grains in feedlot diets reduces the expression of lipogenic genes and fat content in Longissimus muscle from F1 Angus-Nellore cattle.

The inclusion of agro-industry by-products originated from corn ethanol production has increased in animal nutrition in Brazil, reducing formulation costs. In the literature, there is no consensus on how the high inclusion of de-oiled wet distillers grains can affect beef quality and the expression of lipogenic genes in Longissimus muscle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of WDG in the diet of F1 Angus-Nellore cattle on meat quality characteristics, chemical composition and expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism. A hundred F1 Angus-Nellore bulls, with average initial body weight (BW) of 369.5 ± 49 kg were used. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, and the animals were divided into two blocks (light and heavy) according to the initial body weight. The animals were fed diets containing levels of 0 (control), 15, 30 and 45% of WDG replacing dry corn and soybean meal. After 129 days of feedlot, the animals were slaughtered and samples of the longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle were collected for quality analyzes such as shear force (3, 10 and 17 aging days), color (luminosity, red, Chroma and Hue), cooking losses, pH and chemical composition (moisture, protein, lipids and ash contents). In addition, the expression of the PPARα, PPARγ, SREBP-1c, SCD1, LPL, FABP4, FASN, ACOX, CPT2, GPX1 and ACACA genes was investigated in the LT muscle by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data were analyzed using polynomial contrasts (linear, quadratic and control vs. WDG). There was no interaction (P > 0.05) between aging times and the inclusion of WDG in the diets on the meat quality (pH, cooking losses, coloration and tenderness). However, diets with increasing levels of WDG caused a linear reduction (P = 0.01) in the intramuscular fat of LT. The lipogenic genes SCD1, PPARγ, FASN and CPT2 were less expressed (P < 0.05) in response to the inclusion of WDG. These results suggest that the inclusion of WDG reduced the expression of lipogenic genes and consequently the marbling of LT muscle without affecting tenderness (shear force) and meat color traits.

Associative effects of wet distiller's grains plus solubles and tannin-rich peanut skin supplementation on in vitro rumen fermentation, greenhouse gas emissions, and microbial changes1.

Two sets of in vitro rumen fermentation experiments were conducted to determine effects of diets that included wet distiller's grains plus solubles (WDGS) and tannin-rich peanut skin (PS) on the in vitro digestibility, greenhouse gas (GHG) and other gas emissions, fermentation rate, and microbial changes. The objectives were to assess associative effects of various levels of PS or WDGS on the in vitro digestibility, GHG and other gas emissions, fermentation rate, and microbial changes in the rumen. All gases were collected using an ANKOM Gas Production system for methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) analyses. Cumulative ruminal gas production was determined using 250 mL ANKOM sampling bottles containing 50 mL of ruminal fluid (pH 5.8), 40 mL of artificial saliva (pH 6.8), and 6 g of mixed diets after a maximum of 24 h of incubation. Fermenters were flushed with CO2 gas and held at 39 °C in a shaking incubator for 24 h. Triplicate quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses were conducted to determine microbial diversity. When WDGS was supplied in the diet, in the absence of PS, cumulative CH4 production increased (P < 0.05) with 40% WDGS. In the presence of PS, production of CH4 was reduced but the reduction was less at 40% WDGS. In the presence of PS, ruminal lactate, succinate, and acetate/propionate (A/P) ratio tended to be less with a WDGS interaction (P < 0.01). In the presence of PS and with 40% WDGS, average populations of Bacteroidetes, total methanogens, Methanobrevibacter sp. AbM4, and total protozoa were less. The population of total methanogens (R2 = 0.57; P < 0.01), Firmicutes (R2 = 0.46: P < 0.05), and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio (R2 = 0.46; P < 0.03) were strongly correlated with ruminal CH4 production. Therefore, there was an associative effect of tannin-rich PS and WDGS, which suppressed methanogenesis both directly and indirectly by modifying populations of ruminal methanogens.

The Degradation of Deoxynivalenol by Using Electrochemical Oxidation with Graphite Electrodes and the Toxicity Assessment of Degradation Products

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a common mycotoxin, which is known to be extremely harmful to human and livestock health. In this study, DON was degraded by electrochemical oxidation (ECO) using a graphite electrode and NaCl as the supporting electrolyte. The graphite electrode is advantageous due to its electrocatalytic activity, reusability, and security. The degradation process can be expressed by first-order kinetics. Approximately 86.4% of DON can be degraded within 30 min at a potential of 0.5 V. The degradation rate reached 93.2% within 30 min, when 0.5 V potential was used for electrocatalyzing a 10 mg/L DON solution. The degradation rate of DON in contaminated wet distiller’s grain with solubles (WDGS) was 86.37% in 60 min. Moreover, results from the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining assay indicated that ECO reduced the DON-induced cytotoxicity and apoptotic bodies in a gastric epithelial cell line (GES-1) compared to the DON-treated group. These findings provide new insights into the application of ECO techniques for degrading mycotoxins, preventing food contamination, and assessing DON-related hazards.

Effect of increasing levels of rice distillers' by-product on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile and colonic microbiota of weaned piglets.

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets containing different wet rice distillers’ by-product (RDP) levels on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and gut microbiome of weaned piglets.MethodsA total of 48 weaned castrated male crossbred pigs, initial body weight 7.54±0.97 kg, and age about 4 wks, were used in this experiment. The piglets were randomly allocated into three iso-nitrogenous diet groups that were fed either a control diet, a diet with 15% RDP, or a diet with 30% RDP for a total of 35 days. Chromium oxide was used for apparent digestibility measurements. On d 14 and d 35, half of the piglets were randomly selected for hemato-biochemical and gut microbiota evaluations.ResultsIncreasing inclusion levels of RDP tended to linearly increase (p≤0.07) average daily gain on d 14 and d 35, and decreased (p = 0.08) feed conversion ratio on d 35. Empty stomach weight increased (p = 0.03) on d 35 while digestibility of diet components decreased. Serum globulin concentration decreased on d 14 (p = 0.003) and red blood cell count tended to decrease (p = 0.06) on d 35, parallel to increase RDP levels. Gene amplicon profiling of 16S rRNA revealed that the colonic microbiota composition of weaned pigs changed by inclusion of RDP over the period. On d 14, decreased proportions of Lachnospiraceae_ge, Ruminococcaceae_ge, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, and Bacteroidales_ge, and increased proportions of Prevotellaceae_ge, Prevotella_2, and Prevotella_9 were found with inclusion of RDP, whereas opposite effect was found on d 35. Additionally, the proportion of Lachnospiraceae_ge, Ruminococcaceae_ge, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, and Bacteroidales_ge in RDP diets decreased over periods in control diet but increased largely in diet with 30% RDP.ConclusionThese results indicate that RDP in a favorable way modulate gastrointestinal microbiota composition and improve piglet performance despite a negative impact on digestibility of lipids and gross energy.

13 Effect of housing cow-calf pairs on dry lots vs pasture on calf performance and behavior

Abstract The objectives were to analyze the effects of housing cow-calf pairs in dry lots (DL) or pasture (PAST) on calf performance and behavior through the receiving phase. Simmental × Angus (n = 108; 87 ± 11.5 d postpartum) spring-calving cows were stratified by age, BW, BCS, and calf sex and allotted to six groups. Cows were limit-fed a ration consisting of corn silage, dried distillers grain, corn stalks, dry rolled corn (DRC), and soybean hulls to meet protein and energy requirements. Calves had ad libitum access to same diet in an adjacent pen. Calves on PAST were rotationally grazed with free-choice mineral. After weaning (177 ± 11.5 d of age) all calves were fed a diet consisting of corn silage, wet distiller grains, DRC, and grass hay during the receiving phase (42 d). At the age 87, 142, 177, 198, and 219 ± 11.5 d, BW was measured. Hair coat score (HCS) and dirt score (DS) were measured on d 0 and d 90. Calf behavior was observed after feedlot arrival. Average daily gain, DMI and feed efficiency were also analyzed. The data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Dry-lot calves had greater (P &lt; 0.01) BW and ADG prior to weaning. Calves from PAST had lower (P &lt; 0.01) DS and greater (P &lt; 0.01) HCS at weaning. Upon feedlot arrival, more (P &lt; 0.01) DL calves were walking and had increased (P &lt; 0.01) vocalizations. Calves from PAST had greater (P &lt; 0.01) ADG, DMI as a percent of BW, and gain:feed than DL calves during the receiving phase. Calves raised in a dry lot had greater BW and ADG prior to weaning, but PAST calves had fewer behavioral signs of stress and greater growth performance in feedlot.

336 Effects of supplemental SoyPass in forage-based diets containing distillers grains on performance of growing steers

Abstract One hundred twenty individually fed steers (initial BW 283 kg) were utilized in an 84-d growing trial to evaluate effects of increased metabolizable lysine from non-enzymatically browned soybean meal (SoyPass) in grass hay based diets containing wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS). Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial design with two levels of WDGS (20% or 35% of DM) and three levels of supplemental SoyPass replacing 0%, 30%, or 60% of WDGS. The statistical model included animal as the experimental unit and level of WDGS and SoyPass substitution were included as fixed effects. Covariate regression was used to test for linear and quadratic interactions between WDGS and SoyPass substitution. No interactions were detected for ADG between SoyPass supplementation and level of WDGS in the diet (P = 0.76). Additionally, SoyPass inclusion had no effect on ADG (P = 0.49). However, ADG was increased for steers consuming the 35% WDGS diet compared to steers offered the 20% WDGS diet (1.13 vs. 0.86 kg/d, respectively; P &lt; 0.01). A SoyPass × WDGS interaction was detected for DMI (P = 0.01). As SoyPass replaced WDGS in the 35% diet, DMI increased linearly from 8.10 to 8.93 kg/d (P = 0.01). In the 20% WDGS diet, DMI decreased as SoyPass replaced 60% of the WDGS compared to 30% (7.68 vs. 8.36, P = 0.02). Therefore, G:F decreased linearly (P = 0.01) as SoyPass replaced WDGS in the 35% treatment and increased quadratically (P = 0.02) for the 20% WDGS treatment. Furthermore, BUN increased linearly as SoyPass replaced WDGS in the 20% diet (P = 0.01) but was not affected by SoyPass substitution in the 35% diet. Overall, results indicate forage-based growing diets formulated with low-levels of WDGS (&lt; 20%) may be deficient in metabolizable lysine, which could be supplied with SoyPass.

342 Evaluation of the effects of biochar on diet digestibility and methane production from growing and finishing steers

Abstract Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of biochar (0, 0.8, or 3% of diet dry matter) on diet digestibility and methane production in growing and finishing cattle diets. The growing diet consisted of 21% brome hay, 20% wheat straw, 30% corn silage, 22% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS), and 7% supplement. The finishing diet consisted of 53% dry rolled corn, 15% corn silage, 25% WDGS, and 7% supplement. Biochar replaced fine ground corn in the supplement. Growing diets were evaluated over 6 periods in a switchback design, followed by the finishing trial with 3 periods in a crossover design using 6 steers (529 kg initial BW). Digestibility measures were taken over 4 d after at least 8 d of adaptation to diets followed by 2 d of gas emission measurements using headbox calorimeters. Statistical analysis included treatment and period as fixed effects and steer as a random effect with PROC IML of SAS used to generate coefficients for orthogonal contrasts. In the growing study, OM and NDF digestibility increased quadratically (P = 0.10) while OM digestibility tended to linearly decrease (P = 0.13) and NDF digestibility was not affected (P ≥ 0.39) by biochar inclusion in the finishing diet. Methane production (g/d) tended to decrease quadratically (P = 0.14) in the growing study and was decreased 10.7% for the 0.8% biochar treatment relative to the control. There were no statistical differences in methane production (g/d) in the finishing study (P ≥ 0.32). Methane production (g/kg DMI) from the 0.8% biochar treatment relative to the control was numerically reduced 9.5% and 18.4% in the growing and finishing studies, respectively (P ≥ 0.13). Although biochar is not an FDA-approved feed for cattle, initial research shows potential as a methane mitigation strategy in both growing and finishing diets.

337 Effect of adding urea to finishing diets containing two different inclusions of distillers grains on steer performance and carcass characteristics

Abstract Crossbred beef steers (n = 384) were utilized to evaluate the effects of adding urea to a dry rolled corn based finishing diet containing low inclusions of wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS). Treatments were set up as a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement with factors consisting of WDGS inclusion at either 12 or 20% of diet dry matter (DM) and urea inclusion at either 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2% of diet DM. Cattle were blocked and stratified by initial body weight (BW) and assigned randomly to treatment. The heavy block of cattle were harvested after 160 d on feed (DOF) and the middle and light blocks of cattle were harvested after 179 DOF. The model include the fixed effects of weight block, WDGS inclusion, urea inclusion, and their interactions. There were no significant interactions (P &gt; 0.12) observed between WDGS inclusion and urea inclusion in the diet; therefore, only main effects are discussed. Increasing inclusion of WDGS improved (P &lt; 0.04) carcass adjusted ADG and G:F. Dry matter intake was reduced (P = 0.04) with increasing WDGS inclusions. Fat thickness was increased (P = 0.04) with increased WDGS inclusion; however, no other carcass characteristics were significantly affected by WDGS inclusion. Cubic effects of urea inclusion were observed (P &lt; 0.05) for HCW, final BW, ADG, and DMI on a carcass adjusted and live BW basis; however, cubic effects with increasing urea inclusion are of minimal biological relevance. There were no linear or quadratic responses (P &gt; 0.11) for increasing urea inclusion in the diet for performance measurements or carcass characteristics. Increasing WDGS inclusion in the diet improved performance. Added urea in the diet had minimal impact on performance, regardless of wet distillers grains plus solubles inclusion.

PSII-4 Effect of urea and distillers inclusion in dry rolled corn based diets on heifer performance and carcass characteristics

Abstract Crossbred heifers (n = 96) were utilized to study the effects of increasing wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) and urea inclusion in a dry rolled corn (DRC) based finishing diet on performance and carcass characteristics. Heifers were individually fed using a calan gate system with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Orts were collected once a week and analyzed for dry matter (DM) content and used to correct DM intake (DMI). Factors included WDGS inclusion at either 10 or 20% of diet DM and urea inclusion at either 0 or 1.2% of diet DM. Cattle were stratified by body weight (BW) and assigned randomly to treatment. Blood samples were taken at 3 points during the feeding period and analyzed for blood urea nitrogen content. The model included urea and WDGS inclusions and their interactions as fixed effects. There were no interactions (P &gt; 0.08) between WDGS and urea inclusion for any performance or carcass characteristics so only main effects are discussed. There was no difference for initial BW, final BW, ADG, and G:F on a live or carcass adjusted basis (P &gt; 0.26) for either urea or distillers inclusion in the diet. Dry matter intake was reduced (P = 0.03) with increased urea inclusion; however, WDGS inclusion did not influence DMI (P = 0.29). No difference (P &gt; 0.10) was detected for urea or WDGS inclusion for any carcass characteristics. Blood urea nitrogen was greater (P &lt; 0.01) for cattle fed increasing levels of both urea and WDGS. Added distillers and urea in the diet had minimal impact on performance or carcass characteristic suggesting supplemental urea in a DRC-based finishing diets is of minimal benefit when feeding at least 10% WDGS.

371 Evaluation of parasite resistance in cattle treated with extended-release eprinomectin (LongRange)

Abstract The objective was to determine parasite resistance in cattle treated with extended-release eprinomectin (LongRange) from a herd with 3 years of prior eprinomectin use. Fall-born Angus x Simmental heifers (224 ± 22 d of age) were randomly assigned 1 of 3 treatments: LongRange (LR; n = 21), LongRange and Synanthic (COMBO; n = 21), or saline-treated control (CON; n = 21). At trial initiation, all heifers were administered treatments according to label instructions. All heifers grazed endophyte-infected tall fescue in groups (n = 3 per treatment) and supplemented daily modified wet distillers grain (0.91 kg as fed per heifer) and soybean hulls (0.91 kg as fed per heifer). Prior to trial initiation and monthly thereafter, BW, packed cell volume (PCV), and fecal egg counts (FEC) were determined. There was a treatment × date interaction (P = 0.001) for fecal eggs counts. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.53) in the FEC in May or June. In July and August, the LR and COMBO heifers had decreased (P &lt; 0.01) FEC compared with CON. By September there were no differences (P = 0.84) in FEC. At d 28, there was no difference (P ≥ 0.44) in FEC reduction between LR (91% FEC reduction) and COMBO (98% FEC reduction). There was no treatment or treatment × date interaction (P ≥ 0.34) for PCV. There was a treatment × date interaction (P = 0.01) for BW. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.16) in BW during May, June, and July. In August the LR and COMBO heifers tended (P = 0.09) to have greater BW than CON. In September and October, the LR and COMBO heifers had a greater (P ≤ 0.01) BW than CON heifers. Parasite resistance to extended-release eprinomectin was not observed based on FEC reduction tests and similar BW of LR and COMBO heifers.

Porcine in vitro digestion and fermentation characteristics of corn wet distillers’ grains and dried distillers grains with solubles without or with multi-enzyme

Wet distillers grains (wet DG) and condensed distillers are co-products from ethanol plants, which are combined and dried into distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). Information is lacking on effects of producing DDGS from wet DG on response to fiber-degrading enzymes in terms of digestibility of DDGS for pigs. This study determined porcine in vitro digestion and fermentation characteristics of wet DG and DDGS without or with multi-enzyme that supplied 9600 U of xylanase, 1200 U of glucanase, 4000 U of cellulase, 480 U of mannanase, 5600 U of invertase, 40,000 U of protease, and 96,000 U of amylase/kilogram of feedstuff. Four gram samples were weighed into conical flasks (5 flasks per treatment) and hydrolyzed in 2 steps using pepsin and pancreatin. Subsequently, undigested residues were incubated in a buffer solution with minerals and fresh pig feces as inoculum. Gas production was measured for 72 h, and modeled to estimate kinetics of gas production. Concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) was measured in fermented solutions. On dry matter (DM) basis, the wet DG and DDGS contained 235.2 and 288.7 g/kg crude protein, and 62.5 and 109.9 g/kg ether extract, respectively. There was no interaction between feedstuff and multi-enzyme on any of the response criteria measured in this study. Coefficient of in vitro digestibility of DM (IVDDM) of wet DG (0.497) did not differ from that of DDGS (0.498). Multi-enzyme supplementation did not affect the IVDDM of wet DG or DDGS. Total gas production per unit weight of enzymatically unhydrolyzed residue for wet DG was greater (P<0.05) than that of DDGS (122.8 vs 108.9 mL/g DM). Multi-enzyme supplementation increased (P<0.05) the total gas production per unit weight of enzymatically unhydrolyzed residue for wet DG and DDGS by 4.94 and 10.33%, respectively. There was no effect of feedstuff or multi-enzyme on degradation rate and VFA production of enzymatically unhydrolyzed residue. In conclusion, the wet DG and DDGS were similar in IVDDM; however total gas production for enzymatically unhydrolyzed residue for wet DG was greater than that for DDGS, implying that wet DG is more fermentable than DDGS. The multi-enzyme product used in the current study can improve fermentability of wet DG and DDGS for pigs. Feedstuff and multi-enzyme did not interact on any response criteria measured this study, implying that the drying of wet DG into DDGS did not influence the effect of the multi-enzyme on digestibility of DDGS for pigs.

Computational modelling of superheated steam drying of compacted distillers’ spent grain coated with solubles

Superheated steam (SS) could be a more effective medium than hot air for drying slurry-like materials such as distillers spent grain. As large scale drying of spent grain slurry has many challenges related to handling and transportation, a multilayered/coated product drying approach, where wet material is dried over a relatively dry core, could provide a potential solution for effective drying. The present study focuses on 3D modelling of SS drying of compacted distillers’ spent grain coated with solubles. The drying experiments were conducted with cylindrical spent grain pellets with 25% moisture content coated with a thin layer of solubles (79 ± 2% moisture) at different SS temperatures (120, 150, 180 °C) and velocities (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 m/s). The effective moisture diffusivity and the thermo-physical properties of wet distillers’ grain pellets with or without solubles (0, 10, 30%, 100% w/w) were determined by experimentation. A coupling model was developed by combining the Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes and energy equations for the SS flow and the diffusion models for the coated pellet using computational fluid dynamics approach. The prediction model showed appreciable accuracy with maximum percentage error values for moisture and temperature curves of coated pellet as 9.1 and 8.0%, respectively. Sensitivity analysis for the SS operating conditions showed that the effect of SS temperatures is more prominent than that of SS velocities on drying time. Such models, capable of predicting heat and mass transfer phenomena of SS drying of multilayered products, can provide valuable information for the design or optimization of industrial-scale SS drying units.

Effects of wet corn distiller's grains with solubles and nonprotein nitrogen on feeding efficiency, growth performance, carcass characteristics, and nutrient losses of yearling steers12.

Wet distiller's grains with solubles (WDGS) are a common by-product feedstuff generated by the grain-ethanol industry, and it is used extensively by the cattle feeding industry. Distillers grains are typically high in protein; however, the protein in WDGS has a low ruminal degradability, and thus may result in a deficiency of RDP in the diet even when dietary CP concentrations are high. Assessment of the RDP needs in diets containing WDGS is needed to aid the cattle feeding industry in managing feed costs and potential environmental issues. To that end, we conducted 2 feeding studies to evaluate the supplemental RDP requirements of beef cattle fed steam-flaked corn-based finishing diets. In Exp. 1, 525 yearling steers (initial body weight = 373 ± 13 kg) received treatments in a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial. Dietary factors included WDGS (15 or 30% of DM) and nonprotein N (NPN; 0, 1.5, or 3.0% of DM) from urea (0, 0.52, and 1.06%). The control diet without WDGS contained 3.0% NPN (1.06% urea) and cottonseed meal. Diets were formulated to have equal crude fat concentrations. Overall gain efficiency among steers fed 15% WDGS was greatest for 1.5% NPN and least for 0% NPN (P = 0.07, quadratic), whereas gain efficiency decreased linearly (P < 0.09) as NPN increased in the 30% WDGS diets. Dressing percent was greater (P < 0.01) for the Control diet than for 15 or 30% WDGS. In Exp. 2, 296 steer calves (initial BW = 344 ± 12 kg) were fed 1 of 4 experimental diets that included a Control diet without WDGS (contained 3% NPN from urea, and cottonseed meal) and 15% WDGS diets with either 1.50, 2.25, or 3.00% NPN (0.52, 0.78, and 1.04% urea, respectively, on a DM basis). Overall gain efficiency on either a live or carcass-adjusted basis was not different among treatments (P > 0.15). Dietary NPN concentration did not influence growth performance (P > 0.21). Increasing dietary WDGS concentration resulted in decreasing (P < 0.05) diet digestibility (determined with an internal marker) and increasing (P < 0.05) N volatilization losses (determined by diet and manure N:P ratio); however, the effects of NPN level on digestibility and N losses were somewhat inconsistent across experiments. Results suggest that optimum performance for cattle fed 15% WDGS occurred when the diet contained between 1.5 and 2.25% NPN. However, no supplemental NPN was needed to support optimum performance in diets containing 30% WDGS.

Effects of supplemental fat concentration on feeding logistics, animal performance, and nutrient losses of heifers fed finishing diets based on steam-flaked corn and sorghum-based distiller's grains.

The use of distiller's grains (DG) in beef cattle finishing diets is a common practice. However, the effects of supplemental fat on performance and nutrient losses of cattle fed diets containing DG are not known. Therefore, we fed 398 crossbred yearling heifers (initial BW = 373.5 kg) for 106 d to determine the effects of dietary fat concentration and sorghum-based wet distiller's grains with solubles (SWDGS) on performance, carcass characteristics, and nutrient losses of finishing cattle. Treatments included two 92% concentrate, steam-flaked corn (SFC)-based diets with 0% or 3% added fat from yellow grease and 3 SFC-based diets with 15% SWDGS (DM basis) that contained either 0%, 1.5%, or 3% added fat (8 pens per treatment) in a randomized block design. Overall DMI and ADG were 5% to 6% greater (P < 0.01) for heifers fed 15% SWDGS than for those fed 0% SWDGS. Among heifers fed 15% SWDGS, DMI was greatest (P = 0.04; quadratic effect) and ADG tended (P = 0.12; quadratic effect) to be greatest for heifers fed 1.5% fat. The ADG:DMI did not differ between 0% SWDGS with 0% or 3% fat, and was not altered by replacing a portion of SFC with SWDGS (P > 0.36). However, ADG:DMI tended to increase as more fat was added to diets with 15% SWDGS (P = 0.06). Average hot carcass weight (HCW) was 5 kg greater (P = 0.05) when SWDGS was fed, but HCW tended to be greatest for heifers fed 15% SWDGS with 1.5% fat (P = 0.09, quadratic effect). Heifers fed 0% SWDGS with 0% fat tended to have a lower marbling score, less rib fat, lower average yield grade (P < 0.08), and more (P < 0.01) yield grade 1 carcasses than heifers fed 0% SWDGS with 3% fat. Averaged across fat levels, heifers fed 15% SWDGS had more rib fat and a higher yield grade (P < 0.03) than heifers fed 0% SWDGS. Feeding 15% SWDGS did not alter carcass quality grade distribution compared to feeding 0% SWDGS, but 15% SWDGS produced fewer yield grade 3 carcasses (P = 0.03) than 0% SWDGS. The calculated NEg of SWDGS (1.36 Mcal/kg) was 91% of the tabular value for dry rolled corn (1.50 Mcal/kg) and 84% of the tabular value for SFC (1.62 Mcal/kg). Nitrogen intake, and N excretion were greater (P < 0.05) in heifers fed 15% SWDGS than in heifers fed the 0% SWDGS diets, but N loss as a % of N intake was less (P < 0.05). Our results suggest adding 1.5% fat to diets containing 15% SWDGS may improve beef cattle performance; however, feeding logistics need to be considered when pricing wet DG.

Quality effects on beef strip steaks from cattle fed high-protein corn distillers grains and other ethanol by-products.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding high-protein corn distillers grains on fresh beef quality. Steers (n = 60) were fed one of five diets for 190 d (six pens with 10 cattle/pen/diet): a corn control (Control), 40% high-protein dry distillers grains plus solubles (HP-DDGS), 40% dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS), 40% wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS), or 40% bran plus solubles (Bran). Eighteen Choice carcasses (three cattle per pen) were randomly selected within each treatment; however, two carcasses were lost during carcass selection. Strip loins (Longissimus lumborum, IMPS # 180) were collected, divided into three equal portions, and aged for 2, 9, or 23 d. Steaks were fabricated following each aging period and placed under retail display (RD) conditions for 0, 4, or 7 d. Pen was the experimental unit. Hot carcass weight at harvest was 391 kg (SD 31.6 kg). Dietary treatment had no effect on tenderness (Warner-Bratzler shear force) within each aging period (P > 0.05). After 7 d of RD, following all aging periods, steaks from cattle fed HP-DDGS had the greatest visual discoloration except for DDGS and Bran after 23 d (P < 0.05). The steaks from cattle fed HP-DDGS had lower (P < 0.05) redness (a*) values than all other treatments following 7 d of RD. Lipid oxidation increased (P < 0.001) during RD at all aging periods, as measured via thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). A day of RD-by-dietary treatment effect (P < 0.001) was observed for lipid oxidation. After 7 d of RD, steaks from cattle fed HP-DDGS had higher TBARS than all other treatments except WDGS (P < 0.01). A trend was found for sarcomere length (P = 0.07), with steaks from cattle fed Bran having the longest sarcomere length compared with all other treatments. An aging effect was found for free calcium content (P < 0.001) where steaks aged 9 and 23 d had significantly higher levels of free calcium than those aged 2 d. There was a tendency (P = 0.07) that steaks from cattle fed WDGS contained more free calcium than steaks from cattle fed DDGS or Bran. Although there were no statistical differences, there was a trend (P = 0.07) that steaks from cattle fed HP-DDGS had higher levels of PUFAs and C18:2. These results suggest that feeding high protein distillers grains has no detriment on tenderness, but may alter the lipid profile of the muscle, resulting in decreased color stability, increased lipid oxidation, and decreased shelf life.

Evaluation of the effects of biochar on diet digestibility and methane production from growing and finishing steers.

The objectives of these studies were to evaluate the effects of biochar (0%, 0.8%, or 3% of diet dry matter) on diet digestibility and methane and carbon dioxide production from cattle on growing and finishing diets. The growing diet consisted of 21% brome hay, 20% wheat straw, 30% corn silage, 22% wet distillers grains plus solubles, and 7% supplement. The finishing diet consisted of 53% dry-rolled corn, 15% corn silage, 25% wet distillers grains plus solubles, and 7% supplement. In both trials biochar replaced fine ground corn in the supplement. Six crossbred steers (initial body weight [BW] 529 kg; SD = 16 kg) were used in both the growing and finishing trial. The growing diets were evaluated over 6 periods followed by the finishing trial with 3 periods. Digestibility measures were taken over 4 d after at least 8 d of adaptation to diets followed by 2 d of gas emission measurements using headbox calorimeters. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected (P ≥ 0.43; 7.91 kg/d) by biochar inclusion in the growing study and increased quadratically (P = 0.07) in the finishing study with 0.8% biochar inclusion having the greatest DMI (12.9 kg/d). Organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility increased quadratically (P = 0.10) in the growing study whereas OM digestibility tended to linearly decrease (P = 0.13) and NDF digestibility was not affected (P ≥ 0.39) by biochar inclusion in the finishing diet. Digestible energy intake (Mcal/d) was not affected (P ≥ 0.25) by biochar inclusion in the growing or finishing study. Methane production (g/d) tended to decrease quadratically (P = 0.14) in the growing study and was decreased 10.7% for the 0.8% biochar treatment relative to the control. There were no statistical differences in methane production (g/d) in the finishing study (P ≥ 0.32) but cattle on the 0.8% biochar treatment produced numerically less (9.6%) methane than the control. Methane production as g/kg DMI of the 0.8% biochar treatment relative to the control was numerically reduced 9.5% and 18.4% in the growing and finishing studies, respectively (P ≥ 0.13). Carbon dioxide production (g/d and g/kg of intake) quadratically decreased (P ≤ 0.06) in the growing study but was not affected by treatment in the finishing study (P ≥ 0.34). Although biochar is not a U.S. Food and Drug Administration -approved feed for cattle, the initial research shows potential as a methane mitigation strategy in both growing and finishing diets.

Commercial feasibility of an integrated closed-loop ethanol-feedlot-biodigester system based on triticale feedstock in Canadian Prairies

This paper presents techno-economic assessment of a closed-loop integrated system combining ethanol plant, feedlot, and biodigester in the Canadian Prairies. Triticale is the primary feedstock for ethanol production. Wet distiller's grains (WDG) and thin stillage from the ethanol plant is used as feed for feedlot beef cattle. Feedlot manure is used to produce methane via anaerobic digestion (AD), for subsequent conversion to electricity and heat through a combined heat and power generation facility. Three scenarios and two system scales were investigated. Total investment in the integrated system was $38–54 (small scale) and $132–237 million (large scale). The results showed that only one scenario in a large scale case has potential to generate profit; in this case, only the feedlot generated positive net present value (NPV) due to savings in feed cost of feeding WDG. Both the ethanol plant and biodigester generated negative returns under the integrated system. Co-locating a feedlot with an ethanol plant enhances ethanol plant profitability along with generation of extra revenue from feedlot operations. Compared to the non-integrated feedlot, the integrated feedlot saves $71.51 in feed cost per cow when cattle are fed 25% WDG. Electricity and heat from the biodigester could only supply 7–20% and 46–71% of the demand of the ethanol plant respectively. Sensitivity analysis tested key factors affecting the profitability of the subsystems. The ethanol plant generates profit under higher ethanol prices. However, NPV for all biodigesters is negative, even under favourable changes in investment and electricity prices. The study also showed that incorporating straw into ethanol fermentation and biogas production was not economically profitable in comparison with single triticale grain fermentation and manure digestion. Overall results suggest need for more policy support to improve economics of anaerobic digesters under current conditions, in the context of clean technology strategies.