Wheat Dried Distillers Grains Research Articles

Faecal waste production, characteristics and recovery in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is affected by dietary ingredient composition

The quantitative and qualitative characteristics of faecal waste was studied in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) fed diets with high inclusion of different feed ingredients (field peas, PEA; feather meal, FeM; sunflower cake meal, SFM; wheat dried distillers grain with soluble, WDG; corn gluten meal, CGM and soya protein concentrate, SPC), in two different experimental trials, in order to evaluate if different ingredients affect waste production. Each of the test ingredients was partially replaced with the basal mixture used in the control diet (CON). The ingredients were chosen for their varying levels of starch, protein, soluble and insoluble non-starch polysaccharide contents. Fish having an initial body weight of 120 g were used (20 fish/tank in triplicate groups) in both trials and were fed at 1.0% in trial I and 1.5% in trial II of their body weight for 40 days. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter (DM), nutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrate, and phosphorus) of the test diets were significantly altered between groups in trial I, with SFM showing the least ADC for DM, carbohydrate and phosphorus; starch ADC was the least in PEA but only DM digestibility and phosphorus availability were different in trial II. The quantity, recovery percentage, physical characteristics, appearance and chemical composition of the faeces were affected by the test ingredients. Carbohydrate fraction of the diet was the most influential in affecting the quantity and chemical composition of faeces produced. Increased inclusion of NSP rich ingredients (WDG, soluble or SFM, insoluble) resulted in higher faecal recovery percentage, despite higher faeces load. Overall, high inclusion of alternate ingredients affected quantitative and qualitative characters of the faecal waste in European seabass, which has implications for environmental sustainability of European seabass aquaculture.

Evaluation of rumen protected rapeseed expeller (NovaPro) as an alternative to soya bean meal in dairy cow diets

There are environmental, social and economic pressures to reduce the use of soya bean meal in ruminant diets by using alternative protein sources, such as those derived from rapeseed. A new protected form of rapeseed (NovaPro) has been developed to provide similar quantities of digestible undegradable protein (DUP) compared to soya bean meal. NovaPro is hot pressed expelled rapeseed (no hexane solvent used), treated with a specific wood derived xylose-rich lignosulphonate in the presence of elevated moisture and heat to increase DUP. The objective of this study was to evaluate NovaPro as a protein supplement for high yielding dairy cows.Four diets were formulated to supply similar quantities of metabolisable energy and protein but containing different dominant protein sources. The main protein sources were: Control – soya bean and rapeseed meals; NP1 – NovaPro and wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS); PR – protected solvent-extracted rapeseed meal and wheat-DDGS; NP2 - NovaPro and SoyPass. Diets were fed to 44 cows using a Latin square design with four feeding periods of 28 days each.Milk yield was significantly higher when cows were fed on rapeseed treatment diets (mean 42.7 kg/d) than when fed on the control diet (mean 41.1 kg/d), as was energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield (mean 43.2 versus 41.7 kg/d). Dry matter intake was higher when cows were fed on NP1 and NP2 (mean 25.0 kg/d) than when they were fed on the control diet (mean 23.9 kg/d); dry matter intake for PR was intermediate (mean 24.4 kg/d). Concentrations of milk fat and protein reflected differences in milk yield, and there was no difference between treatments in fat or protein yield, although fat plus protein yield was higher when cows were fed on rapeseed treatment diets (mean 2.84 kg/d) than when fed on the control diet (mean 2.72 kg/d).Differences in rumen fluid and blood composition were commensurate with differences in diet composition, nutrient intake and milk yield. Retrospective calculation of metabolisable energy and protein supplies showed that these were within 3% of requirements for observed responses. Calculation of amino acid profiles suggested that profiles, particularly methionine, were better for the rapeseed treatment diets.Results of this study support the hypothesis that cows fed on NovaPro and other rumen protected rapeseed proteins will have similar or improved milk production compared to a control (soya-based) diet. Improved milk yield was accompanied by increased dry matter intake, but it is likely that intake was driven by milk yield rather than vice versa. The most likely explanation for improved milk yield when cows were fed on the rapeseed treatment diets is that amino acid balance was improved compared to control.

Alkaline fractionation and enzymatic saccharification of wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS)

The complete utilisation of Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) requires effective pretreatment strategies aiming to increase the enzymatic digestibility of cellulose and improve its conversion to fermentable sugars. To this end, the effect of different NaOH concentrations (0–5%, w/v) and temperature (30–121°C) on the fractionation of DDGS to its main components (cellulose, hemicellulose, proteins) was evaluated. As the NaOH concentration and temperature increased, the total sugar content of the pretreated DDGS solids progressively increased to a maximum of ∼88%. At 121°C and 5% NaOH, the DDGS solid residue consisted primarily of glucose (∼53%), a 5-fold increase compared to the original DDGS, reflecting the presence of cellulose, and to a lesser extent by xylose (∼25%) and arabinose (∼10%) reflecting the presence of hemicellulose. Approximately 83% of the initial hemicellulose and 79% of the protein contents were removed into the liquid fraction during alkaline pretreatment. The enzymatic digestibility of the pretreated DDGS solids by the Accellerase® 1500 cellulase enzyme was significantly improved, resulting in a 3.6 fold increase in glucose yield compared to untreated DDGS. Mass balance analysis demonstrated that the proposed process scheme recovers the majority of the key DDGS components (cellulose, hemicellulose, proteins) in an efficient manner with relatively low losses, and provides a viable approach for the valorisation of DDGS.

Dietary ingredient composition alters faecal characteristics and waste production in common carp reared in recirculation system

Feed is a common factor influencing both fish growth and waste production in aquaculture. We examined the effect of different feed ingredients on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of faecal waste produced by common carp. Ingredients rich in (i) starch (field peas, PEA); (ii) protein (feather meal, FeM); (iii) insoluble non-starch polysaccharides, NSP (sunflower cake meal, SFM); or (iv) soluble NSP (wheat dried distillers grain with soluble, WDG) were studied. Five experimental diets were produced, a control diet produced from a basal mixture (CON) and four other diets (PEA, FeM, SFM and WDG) were prepared by replacing 30% of the basal mixture in CON with the respective test ingredient (70:30). Common carp juveniles (95 g, 15 fish per tank) were fed (restrictively, 22 g/kg0.8/d) the experimental diets for 7 weeks, in triplicate groups. Growth, body composition, energy and nutrient balances were significantly different; with highest growth recorded in CON and WDG; lowest in the FeM and SFM groups. Apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of dry matter, nutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash and phosphorus) and energy in the diets and ingredients were significantly altered between the groups (p < .001). PEA had the best ADC for macro-nutrients and energy, while ash and phosphorus were highest with WDG; SFM had the lowest ADC values for DM, fat, carbohydrate, energy, and phosphorus. The quantity, proximate composition and recovery percentage of the feaces (collected by settling) was significantly different between treatments (p < .001). Faeces recovery and solid removal efficiency were the highest in WDG, comparable to CON; and lowest in SFM. Physical characteristics of the feaces (stripped) indicated by dry matter content and stability were significantly affected by the ingredients only at day 26 and 29, respectively. However, changes in dry matter and stability over time (days) were significant in SFM and WDG (for DM); and all groups except SFM (stability). Osmolality and viscosity of the stripped faeces was unaffected. In summary, SFM resulted in significantly lower performance, low DM and nutrient digestibility, increased faecal loss, lower stability and removal efficiency. FeM lowered growth, protein and fat digestibility; with altered faecal chemical composition. WDG and PEA performed on par with control, if not better in certain aspects with respect to mineral availability and faecal recovery. Overall, 30% inclusion of the test ingredients not only affected growth, but also the waste production and removal efficiency by altering the physical and chemical characteristics of the faeces in common carp.

Inoculum source and transfer of rumen contents from bison to cattle improved in vitro gas production and feed digestibility, but not the responses to exogenous enzymes supplementation

We hypothesized that inoculating the rumen of beef cattle with rumen contents of bison and supplementing with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (FE) would improve ruminal feed digestibility by enhancing microbiome activity in the rumen. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of inoculum source (cattle versus bison), inocula after transfer from bison to cattle, FE supplementation, and their interaction on in vitro fermentation of barley straw, alfalfa hay and wheat dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS). Rumen content transfers were performed using 16 beef heifers (body weight = 461 kg) twice at a 2-week interval by replacing 0.70 of total rumen contents of heifers with an equivalent amount of mixed rumen contents collected from plains bison. Three experiments were conducted using batch culture techniques. Barley straw and alfalfa hay were ground through 1-mm screen and DDGS was incubated as-is. In Exp. 1, inocula were prepared by combining rumen fluids (vol/vol) of cattle and bison at ratios of 100:0, 67:33, 33:67 and 0:100; the substrates were incubated for 96 h for determination of gas production (GP) kinetics. In Exp. 2, inocula with the same ratios as in Exp. 1 were incubated with substrates in vitro for 24 h to determine dry matter (DM) digestibility (DMD). In Exp. 3, incubations were conducted for 6, 24 and 48 h with the same substrates in four runs to compare the before versus after inocula effect. Each batch culture was a completely randomized design without or with FE addition at a rate of 2.0 μl/g substrate DM. Three different FE products (referred to FE1, FE2 and FE3) were used, with FE1 added in Exp. 1 and 2, while all 3 FE were added and compared in Exp. 3. Asymptotic GP of barley straw and alfalfa hay was not affected, whereas that of wheat DDGS responded quadratically (P < 0.04) with increasing bison contents in inocula. Rate of GP decreased (P < 0.03) for barley straw and alfalfa hay (quadratic), and for wheat DDGS (linear) with increasing bison contents in inocula (Exp. 1). In vitro DMD of barley straw at 24 h of incubation quadratically (P < 0.02) increased with increasing bison contents in inocula, whereas DMD of alfalfa hay and DDGS linearly (P < 0.01) decreased (Exp. 2). For Exp. 3, the DMD of barley straw, alfalfa hay and DDGS were greater (P < 0.05) at 6 h of incubation with the inocula collected after, as compared to before the rumen content transfer. In contrast, the DMD of alfalfa hay at 48 h and DDGS at 24 h and 48 h were less (P < 0.04) with inocula after versus before rumen content transfer. Addition of FE improved (P < 0.05) DMD of DDGS. The results demonstrated that the ruminal inocula from bison had an advanced capacity to degrade fibrous feed in vitro as compared to those from cattle. Enrichment of the cattle rumen microbiome with that of bison could potentially improve rumen digestion of fibrous feeds in beef cattle. Moreover, the results also suggest that the improvement in feed digestibility due to supplemental FE may be independent of inoculum source.

Estimation of correction factors to determine the true amino acid concentration of protein after a 24-hour hydrolysis

Although it has been acknowledged for a long time that a single period of hydrolysis, normally 21 to 24 h, is not the optimal time for most of the AA, a single period is routinely used due to time and cost constraints. As models to balance dairy rations for proteins are evolving toward balancing for AA, it becomes critical to improve the predictions of AA supply from digested proteins. Our objective was to develop correction factors that could systematically be applied to AA concentrations obtained after a 24-h hydrolysis of proteins to account for incomplete recovery and therefore determine their true AA composition. Thirteen substrates were selected to represent different types of proteins commonly used to estimate the supply of AA in ration formulation models: feed ingredients (grass silage, corn silage, soybean meal, canola meal, high-protein corn dried distillers grains, and wheat dried distillers grains plus solubles), 16-h rumen residues (soybean meal and canola meal), digesta (duodenal digesta and feces), and rumen microorganisms (fluid-associated bacteria, particle-associated bacteria and protozoa). Each protein was hydrolyzed in 6 N HCl for multiple hydrolysis times: 13 (2, 4, 8, 12, 18, 21, 24, 30, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 168 h) for feed ingredients, rumen residues, and digesta, and 9 (2, 4, 8, 18, 24, 30, 48, 96, and 168 h) for rumen microorganisms; all analyses were conducted in triplicate. Using nonlinear regression, the AA composition in the protein before the hydrolysis (A0) was derived for each AA in each protein. Two ratios were calculated as potential correction factors: A0/24-h concentration (A0/24h) and the maximal concentration/24-h concentration (max/24h). Both ratios were tested to determine if the type of proteins was affecting them. The ratios A0/24h were not affected by the type of proteins, whereas the ratios max/24h were also not affected by the type of proteins except for 3 nonessential AA (Ala, Glu, and Gly). In an attempt to propose correction factors, our results were combined with results from the literature reporting ratios A0/24h, ratios max/24h, or the ratio of the AA composition calculated from gene structure/24 h. The correction factors proposed for individual AA varied from 1.02 (Asp) to 1.12 (Thr). For the essential AA, the highest ratios were obtained, as expected, for the branched-chain AA and Thr. Formulation programs balancing dairy rations for essential AA would need to acknowledge the incomplete recovery of AA when obtained from 24-h hydrolysis and include correction factors, specific for each AA, but the same across different types of proteins, to correctly estimate the true AA supply to dairy cows.

Performance of stocker cattle grazing bales in winter and supplemented with wheat-based dried distillers grains plus solubles or barley grain in western Canada

ABSTRACT Backgrounding calves during winter months in western Canada requires additional supplementation due to the cold climatic conditions. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of supplementing either wheat dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) or barley grain in an alternative backgrounding program on steer performance and DMI when winter bale grazing in a 2-yr study. Each year, 54 crossbred steers (BW, 219.5 ± 5.3 kg) from a similar annual cohort were stratified by BW and randomly allocated to 1 of 3 replicated (n = 3) supplement treatments [3 kg/d of (1) 100% barley grain (BARL); (2) 100% wheat DDGS (WDDGS); or (3) 50% barley + 50% wheat DDGS (50:50)] during winter grazing of grass–legume bales [CP = 7.1, ADF = 44.6, TDN = 48.0 (% DM)]. Supplement strategy did not affect (P = 0.95) DMI of round bale hay. Crude protein intake was 25 and 67% greater (P = 0.01) for WDDGS steers compared with 50:50 and BARL steers, respectively. Total digestible nutrient intake was similar (P = 0.73; 6.4 kg/d) among supplement strategies. Steers fed WDDGS tended (P = 0.07) to have 5 and 11% greater ADG (0.97 kg/d), and 4 and 10% greater total gain (103 kg), than the 50:50 (99 kg) and BARL (94 kg) steers, respectively. The study results suggest a tendency for greater performance of beef steers supplemented with wheat DDGS compared with barley grain when managed in an extensive winter bale grazing system.

Effects of extruding wheat dried distillers grains with solubles with peas or canola meal on ruminal fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, nutrient digestion, and milk production in dairy cows

Our objective was to examine the effects of feeding coextruded and nonextruded supplements consisting of wheat dried distillers grains with solubles with peas (WDDGS-peas) or canola meal (WDDGS-CM) on ruminal fermentation, omasal flow, and production performance in Holstein cows. Eight cows (4 ruminally cannulated) were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square with 28-d periods and a 2×2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. Dietary treatments were coextruded or nonextruded mixtures of WDDGS-peas and WDDGS-CM that were included in total mixed rations at 15.1% [dry matter (DM) basis]. Diet had no effect on DM intake. Milk yield was greater in cows fed coextruded diets compared with those fed nonextruded diets. Milk fat content was greater in cows fed nonextruded diets compared with those fed coextruded diets, but milk fat yield was greater in cows fed coextruded diets compared with those fed nonextruded diets. Milk yield tended to be greater and milk protein yield was greater in cows fed WDDGS-peas compared with those fed WDDGS-CM. Cows fed nonextruded diets had a greater milk urea-N concentration compared with those fed coextruded diets. Cows fed coextruded diets had greater ruminal digestion of DM and tended to have greater ruminal digestion of organic matter compared with those fed nonextruded diets. Total-tract digestibilities of organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, and starch were greater, whereas that of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber tended to be greater in cows fed coextruded compared with those fed nonextruded diets. Total-tract digestibility of ether extract was lower whereas that of starch was greater and that of crude protein tended to be greater in cows fed WDDGS-peas compared with those fed WDDGS-CM. Total N excretion and milk N efficiency were unaffected by diet. Ruminal NH3-N concentration tended to be greater in cows fed WDDGS-CM compared with those fed WDDGS-peas. Ruminal propionate concentration was greater whereas plasma urea-N concentration tended to be lower in cows fed coextruded compared with those fed nonextruded diets. Plasma glucose concentration was greater in cows fed diets containing WDDGS-CM compared with those fed diets containing WDDGS-peas, but the difference in plasma glucose concentration between WDDGS-CM and WDDGS-peas was greater in cows fed coextruded diets compared with those fed nonextruded diets. In summary, feeding coextruded compared with nonextruded supplements or WDDGS-peas compared WDDGS-CM increased yields of milk, fat, and protein.

Diet nutrient digestibility and growth performance of weaned pigs fed wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS)

Biofuel co-products such as wheat distillers dried grains and solubles (DDGS) are used increasingly in swine feed to reduce feed cost. Wheat DDGS is rich in protein and phosphorus, thus may replace soybean meal (SBM) in swine diets. To explore, the effects of increasing inclusion of wheat DDGS by substituting SBM on diet nutrient digestibility and growth performance of young pigs were evaluated. In total, 160 pigs (initial BW: 12.5±1.8kg) were involved in a 3-week trial. Five pelleted wheat-based diets including 0, 50, 100, 150 or 200g wheat DDGS/kg in substitution for up to 200g SBM/kg were fed. Diets were formulated to provide 9.8MJ net energy (NE)/kg and 1.16g standardised ileal digestible (SID) lysine/MJ NE. Diets were balanced for NE by increasing canola oil inclusion and for amino acids (AA) by increasing crystalline AA. Each 50g/kg increase in dietary inclusion of wheat DDGS linearly reduced (P<0.001) the apparent total tract digestibility coefficient (CATTD) of dry matter (DM) by 0.008, of gross energy (GE) by 0.009 and of crude protein (CP) by 0.010. Increasing wheat DDGS quadratically decreased (P=0.01) diet digestible energy (DE) value and quadratically decreased then increased (P=0.01) diet calculated NE value. Increasing wheat DDGS did not affect average daily feed intake (ADFI) overall or for any week, but linearly decreased (P<0.01) feed efficiency (G:F) for day 1–7. For the entire trial (day 1–21), each 50g/kg increase of dietary inclusion of wheat DDGS up to 200g/kg linearly reduced (P<0.05) ADG by 8.5g/d and G:F by 0.007. In conclusion, weaned pigs fed diets with increasing inclusion of up to 200g wheat DDGS/kg and supplemental AA to replace SBM had reduced G:F due to reduced ADG, but maintained feed intake.

Effects of reducing dietary starch content by replacing barley grain with wheat dried distillers grains plus solubles in dairy cow rations on ovarian function

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of dietary starch content, altered by partial substitution of dietary grain with wheat dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS), on the interval from calving to first ovulation, concentrations of hormones and metabolites in plasma and follicular fluid, and granulosa cell gene expression in preovulatory follicles. Sixty lactating dairy cows were assigned to 1 of 2 diets from calving until 84d postpartum. Diets were formulated to contain either 17.3% rolled barley grain (29.2% starch) or 17.2% wheat DDGS (19.1% starch), with 43.0% barley silage and 21.6% rolled corn grain as the other major ingredients (dry matter basis). Transrectal ultrasonography was performed twice weekly to monitor ovarian dynamics from 7±2d postpartum until ovulation or until 56d in milk, whichever occurred earlier. Plasma concentrations of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were determined in all 60 cows, and that of glucose, fatty acids, and urea in a subset of 24 cows, representing those in which the first ovulation occurred spontaneously within 5 wk postpartum. Estradiol (proestrus) and progesterone (12d postovulation) in plasma were also measured. Concentrations of insulin, IGF-1, glucose, fatty acids, and urea were determined in follicular fluid (wk 9), and the expression of LH receptor, estrogen receptor β, cytochrome P450 aromatase, and plasma type glutathione peroxidase genes measured in granulosa cells obtained from the preovulatory follicles at wk 9 postpartum in the subset of 24 cows. Diets did not alter the interval from calving to first ovulation (32.3±2.5d), but a significantly lower proportion of cows on the DDGS diet (20%) ovulated multiple (≥2) follicles at the first ovulation than those on the barley grain diet (40%). The incidence of multiple ovulations tended to be lower at first insemination (10 vs. 21% for cows fed DDGS and barley grain diets, respectively). Mean plasma concentration of insulin was higher in cows fed the barley grain diet (2.5 vs 1.6 IU/mL), and a diet by time interaction was noted, with cows on the barley grain ration having higher insulin from wk 6 to 12 postpartum; however, mean plasma IGF-1 concentration did not differ between dietary groups. In the subsets, mean plasma concentrations of metabolites or estradiol and progesterone were not affected by diet, parity, or diet by parity interactions. Cows on the DDGS diet had lower concentrations of IGF-I (69 vs. 108 ng/mL) and higher fatty acids (222 vs. 149mEq/L) in the follicular fluid obtained from preovulatory follicles. Diet, parity, and diet by parity interactions did not affect the concentrations of insulin, glucose, urea, estradiol, and progesterone in follicular fluid. Diets did not alter the expression profiles of LHr, estrogen receptor β, CYP19, and GPx3 genes in granulosa cells. In summary, diets did not affect the interval from calving to first ovulation or granulosa cell gene expression. However, reducing dietary starch content by a partial replacement of dietary grain with wheat DDGS increased fatty acids in follicular fluid and reduced the concentrations of insulin in plasma, IGF-1 in follicular fluid, and the incidence of multiple ovulations.

Effect of in vitro techniques and exogenous feed enzymes on feed digestion

The objective of this study was to assess whether changing gas production (GP) recording method (GPR), substrate delivery method (MD), and fineness of substrate grinding (FG) alter in vitro GP from feed digestion with and without exogenous feed enzymes (EFE) treatment. The experiment was a 2 GPR×2 MD×2 FG×2 EFE factorial arrangement using barley straw, alfalfa hay or wheat dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) as substrates. There was no interaction of EFE with GPR, MD or FG on GP and dry matter digestibility (DMD). Compared to automated methods, manual recording increased (P<0.01) GP, but enclosing substrate in bags vs. dispersing it in media reduced (P<0.04) GP from both alfalfa hay and DDGS. Gas production was greater (P<0.05) with 2mm vs. 1mm ground barley straw. The manual vs. automated GP recording resulted in reduced (P<0.01) DMD of alfalfa hay and wheat DDGS. For all three substrates, DMD was consistently higher (P<0.01) when enclosed in bags vs. dispersed in bottles. The DMD of alfalfa hay was improved (P<0.04) with reducing FG (1 vs. 2mm). Moreover, EFE improved (P<0.01) the DMD of DDGS without affecting that of barley straw or alfalfa hay. These results showed that the GPR, MD and FG were little interacted with EFE effect on in vitro GP and DMD of feeds, suggesting that the impact of these factors on in vitro EFE effect is minimal. Hence, enclosing feed substrate in filter bags can be recommended to screen EFE products for feed digestion because of practical convenience. Moreover, the impacts of GPR, MD and FG on in vitro GP and DMD of feeds suggested that these factors should be carefully considered when comparing the nutritive values of various feeds using in vitro techniques.

Effects of feeding canola meal or wheat dried distillers grains with solubles as a major protein source in low- or high-crude protein diets on ruminal fermentation, omasal flow, and production in cows

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding canola meal (CM) or wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (W-DDGS) as the major source of protein in diets varying in crude protein (CP) content on ruminal fermentation, microbial protein production, omasal nutrient flow, and production performance in lactating dairy cows. Eight lactating dairy cows were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square design with 29-d periods (21d of dietary adaptation and 8d of measurements) and a 2×2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. Four cows in 1 Latin square were ruminally cannulated to allow ruminal and omasal sampling. The treatment factors were (1) source of supplemental protein (CM vs. W-DDGS) and (2) dietary CP content (15 vs. 17%; DM basis). Diets contained 50% forage and 50% concentrate, and were fed twice daily at 0900 and 1600 h as total mixed rations for ad libitum intake. Dry matter intake and milk yield were unaffected by dietary treatments; however, milk yield in cows that were fed CM was numerically greater (+1.1kg/d) when compared with cows fed W-DDGS. Feeding CM increased milk lactose content compared with feeding W-DDGS. Milk urea nitrogen and ruminal NH3-N concentrations were greater in cows fed the high-CP compared with those fed the low-CP diet. The rumen-degradable protein supply was greater in cows fed the high-CP when compared with those fed the low-CP diet when diets contained CM, whereas rumen-degradable protein supply was lower in cows fed the high-CP when compared with those fed the low-CP diet when diets contained W-DDGS. Total N flow at the omasal canal was not affected by diet; however, omasal flow of NH3-N was greater in cows fed CM when compared with those fed W-DDGS. The rumen-undegradable protein supply was greater in cows fed the low-CP when compared with those fed the high-CP diet when diets contained CM, whereas rumen-undegradable protein supply was lower in cows fed the low-CP when compared with those fed the high-CP diet when diets contained W-DDGS. Omasal flow of fluid-associated bacteria was greater and that of particle-associated bacteria tended to be greater in cows fed CM when compared with those fed W-DDGS; however, omasal flow of total microbial nonammonia N was unaffected by dietary treatment. Omasal flows of threonine and tryptophan were greater, whereas that of histidine and lysine tended to be greater in cows fed CM when compared with those fed W-DDGS. Our results show that when dairy diets are formulated to contain 15 or 17% CP, CM or W-DDGS can be used as the major source of protein and achieve similar levels of milk production.

Improving the nutritional value of rapeseed cake and wheat dried distillers grains with solubles by addition of enzymes during liquid fermentation

An increased production of biofuel during the last decade with a subsequent increased amount of co-products has led to an interest in utilizing these co-products as inexpensive alternatives to traditional ingredients for pig feed. Biofuel co-products are considered valuable sources of protein but the high amount of fibre resuts in low digestibility in pigs. An in vitro study was conducted to screen several enzyme mixtures, primarily carbohydrases, for their ability to solubilise non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and protein in rapeseed cake (RSC) and wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (wDDGS) during fermentation. During the first 48h of the experiment, denoted the initial phase, the mixture was fermented and samples were collected at 0, 24 and 48h. Then, backslopping was performed every 24h, where 50% of the mixture was replaced with fresh feed, water and enzyme, until a steady state cycle was reached. Samples were collected at 0, 6, 12 and 24h after the last backslopping. Results on RSC showed a decrease during the initial phase of fermentation in the amount of total NSP (−31%, P<0.001) and insoluble NSP (−42%, P<0.001) in fermented RSC treated with the enzyme mixture composed by β-glucanase+xylanase+pectinase (GluXylPec). Carbohydrates released from the GluXylPec sample of RSC were fermented by the microorganisms present in the mixture, resulting in elevated amounts of lactic acid during the steady state phase (P≤0.05) and acetic acid from 24h of incubation to the end of the study (P<0.01), and reduced pH levels from 24h to the end of the study (P≤0.01) compared to the Control were measured. Protein solubility in RSC increased in samples fermented with GluXylPec (+14% during the initial 48h, P<0.05). Samples fermented with phytase (Phy) showed a higher protein solubility, too (+18% during the initial 48h, P<0.01); and addition of phytase clearly reduced the level of phytate-P in RSC. Although all the enzymatic treatments showed a small reduction of total NSP content in wDDGS in the initial phase (P≤0.01), and three enzymes [GluXylPec (6), CelXyl (9), and Xylmix (7)] reduced the level of soluble NSP in the initial phase (P≤0.05), no increase in protein solubility or organic acid concentration was detected as a result of enzyme addition. For both fermented products, the biggest effect of enzyme addition was observed in the initial phase of fermentation. In conclusion, addition of β-glucanase, xylanase and pectinase during especially the first 48h of liquid fermentation can be a strategy to disrupt NSP and increase protein solubility in RSC. The overall impact of enzymes on wDDGS was more ambiguous, though reduction of total NSP was observed for all enzymes. Addition of phytase resulted in an almost complete reduction of phytate-P in RSC during fermentation.

Effect of wheat dried distillers grains and enzyme supplementation on growth rates, feed conversion ratio and beef fatty acid profile in feedlot steers

The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the effect of wheat dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS) inclusion, and (2) dietary feed enzyme (FE; Econase XT) supplementation in a finishing diet containing wheat DDGS on fatty acid profile of the pars costalis diaphragmatis muscle of beef cattle. A total of 160 crossbred yearling steers with initial BW of 495±38 kg were blocked by BW and randomized into 16 pens (10 head/pen). The pens were randomly assigned to one of the four treatments: (1) control (CON; 10% barley silage and 90% barley grain-based concentrate, dry matter (DM) basis); (2) diet containing 30% wheat DDGS in place of barley grain without FE (WDG); (3) WDG diet supplemented with low FE (WDGL; 1 ml FE/kg DM); and (4) WDG diet supplemented with high FE (2 ml FE/kg DM). The pars costalis diaphragmatis muscle samples were collected from cattle at slaughter at the end of the finishing period (120 days) with a targeted live weight of 650 kg. No differences in organic matter intake, final BW and average daily gain were observed among treatments. However, steers fed WDG had greater (P<0.01) feed conversion ratio than those fed CON, and increasing FE application in wheat DDGS-based diets tended (P<0.10) to linearly decrease feed conversion ratio. In assessing the effects of including WDG diets without FE, concentration of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in muscle tended to be greater (P<0.10) for steers fed WDG than steers fed CON. In addition, inclusion of wheat DDGS into the diet increased (P<0.05) concentration of CLA and vaccenic acid (VA) in muscle and also resulted in a higher (P<0.05) ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA compared with that from steers fed CON diet. Increasing FE application in wheat DDGS-based diets did not modify the concentrations of individual or total fatty acids. These results suggest that inclusion of wheat DDGS in finishing diets may improve fatty acid profile of beef muscle which could benefit human health.

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.

Characterization of ruminal temperature and its relationship with ruminal pH in beef heifers fed growing and finishing diets1

This study characterized the relationship between ruminal temperature (T rum) and pH in beef cattle fed growing and finishing diets. In Exp. 1, 16 ruminally cannulated beef heifers (388.5 ± 34.9 kg BW) were fed 4 growing diets in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square with four 21-d periods. Diets were (DM basis) grower control (CTLg; 35% barley grain plus 5% canola meal), 40% corn dried distillers grains plus solubles (CDDGSg), 40% wheat dried distillers grains plus solubles (WDDGSg), and 37.6% WDDGSg plus 2.4% corn oil (WDDGSg+O). All diets contained 55% barley silage (DM basis). Ruminal pH and T rum were continuously monitored for 4 d each period starting on d 18. In Exp. 2, the 16 heifers were gradually transitioned (529.1 ± 41.1 kg BW) from the growing diets to 1 of 4 finishing diets in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square with four 28-d periods. Diets were (DM basis) finisher control (CTL f), 40% corn-based distillers grains plus solubles (CDDGS f), 40% wheat-based distillers grains plus solubles (WDDGS f), and 37.4% WDDGSf + 2.6% corn oil (WDDGS f+O). All finishing diets contained 8% barley silage (DM basis). Ruminal pH and T rum were measured from d 25 to 28. With growing diets (n = 64), maximum T rum was negatively related to minimum pH (P < 0.001, r = -0.53) and positively related to starch intake (P < 0.001, r = 0.55). Maximum T rum, T rum > 40°C (h/d), and area under the curve (AUC) T rum > 38°C (area × h/d) accounted for 28.3, 9.5, and 4.7%, respectively, of the variability in minimum pH (R(2) = 0.43, P < 0.001, n = 64). Mean T rum and maximum T rum were greater for CTL g than CDDGS g, WDDGS g, and WDDGS g+O. With finishing diets (n = 63), maximum T rum was negatively related to minimum ruminal pH (P < 0.001, r = -0.63) and positively related to DMI (P < 0.001, r = 0.62) and to starch intake (P < 0.001, r = 0.58). Maximum T rum, AUC T rum > 39°C, and duration T rum > 38°C accounted for 40, 17, and 3.6%, respectively, of the variability in minimum pH (R(2) = 0.60, P < 0.001, n = 63). Mean T rum and maximum T rum were greater for CTL f than CDDGS f, WDDGS f, and WDDGS f+O. When individual animal data were examined, heifers with duration T rum > 40°C did not necessarily have greater duration pH < 5.2 or pH < 5.5. Ruminal temperature has the potential to predict ruminal pH, likely owing to the biological relationship between acid production and the heat of fermentation. Exploitation of this relationship to predict pH could provide a means of overcoming the problems associated with long-term monitoring of ruminal pH using electrode-based approaches.

Using a fibrolytic enzyme in barley-based diets containing wheat dried distillers grains with solubles: ruminal fermentation, digestibility, and growth performance of feedlot steers.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of adding an exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (FE) on ruminal pH and fermentation, digestibility, and growth performance of feedlot beef cattle fed a finishing diet containing wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). In Exp. 1, 4 ruminally cannulated Angus heifers (average BW of 807 ± 93.9 kg) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Treatments were 1) control (CON; 10% barley silage and 90% barley grain-based concentrate), 2) CON diet substituting 30% wheat DDGS for barley grain (WDG), 3) WDG diet supplemented with low FE (WDGL), and 4) WDG diet supplemented with high FE (WDGH). Heifers fed WDG had less (P = 0.01) total tract DM digestibility than heifers fed CON. Increasing FE linearly (P < 0.05) increased starch digestibility without affecting digestibility of other nutrients. Addition of FE also reduced (P = 0.03) ruminal ammonia-N (NH3-N) concentration but did not affect VFA concentration. Moreover, application of FE to wheat DDGS linearly increased in situ ruminal DM (P < 0.01) and NDF (P = 0.02) disappearance after 48 h of incubation. In Exp. 2, 160 yearling steers (initial BW = 495 ± 37.9 kg) were fed the same diets as in Exp. 1. No differences in DMI, final BW, ADG, dietary NEg, or carcass characteristics were observed among diets. However, the steers fed WDG had less (P < 0.05) G:F and greater number of (P < 0.01) abscessed livers than steers fed CON. Increasing FE application in wheat DDGS diets did not affect DMI, final BW, or ADG but tended (P < 0.09) to linearly improve feed efficiency and decreased (P = 0.03) the incidence of abscessed livers. These results demonstrated adverse effects of including wheat DDGS in finishing diets on feed digestion, feed efficiency, and animal health. Application of FE in wheat DDGS-based diets potentially improved starch digestion, protein metabolism in the rumen, feed efficiency, and animal health.

Glutamic acid production from wheat by-products using enzymatic and acid hydrolysis

Glutamic acid (Glu) has potential as feedstock for bulk chemicals production. It has also been listed as one of the top twelve chemicals derived from biomass. Large amounts of cheaper Glu can be made available by enabling its production from biomass by-products, such as wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) derived from ethanol production. The aim of this study was to develop a new method for Glu production from biomass. Wheat gluten was used to represent wheat DDGS. To reduce chemicals usage, several methods were evaluated. These included enzymatic, dilute acid, and a combination of enzymatic and dilute acid hydrolysis. The separate enzymatic and dilute acid hydrolysis (1 M HCl; 95 °C) resulted in yields of 48% and 46% Glu, respectively. However, the combination of enzymatic and dilute acid hydrolysis resulted in a much higher yield of 70% Glu and 10% pyroglutamic acid thereby opening up new possibilities for the industrial production of Glu from biomass.

Evaluation of feeding corn or wheat dried distillers grains with solubles on animal health of finishing feedlot steers

Evaluation of feeding corn or wheat dried distillers grains with solubles on animal health of finishing feedlot steers

Effects of feeding a high-fiber byproduct feedstuff as a substitute for barley grain on rumen fermentation and productivity of dairy cows in early lactation

The objective of the study was to evaluate effects of partial substitution of dietary grain with wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on dry matter intake (DMI), sorting behavior, rumen fermentation, apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility, plasma metabolites, and milk production of dairy cows in early lactation. Sixty-one Holstein cows, including 13 ruminally cannulated cows, were blocked by parity and calving date and assigned to 1 of 2 experimental diets immediately after calving until 12 wk in lactation. The control (CON) diet contained 43% barley silage, 17.3% dry-rolled barley grain, and 39.7% concentrate mix on a dry matter basis, and wheat DDGS replaced dry-rolled barley grain in the DDGS diet. Dietary starch content was 29.2 and 19.1% for CON and DDGS diets, respectively. Despite the 10-percentage-unit difference in dietary starch content, cows fed the DDGS diet did not increase ruminal pH. A significant treatment by parity interaction was observed for DMI; feeding the DDGS diet decreased DMI of multiparous cows compared with CON (20.1 vs. 21.3kg/d) but increased that of primiparous cows (16.2 vs. 14.7kg/d). Although milk yield was not affected by treatment, cows fed the DDGS diet had lower apparent total-tract digestibility of starch compared with CON (81.9 vs. 91.2%) and tended to have higher plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (173 vs. 143 mEq/L). High-fiber byproduct feedstuffs such as wheat DDGS can be used as a partial substitute for grains in diets of dairy cows in early lactation but the substitution may not mitigate rumen acidosis problems and may decrease energy intake of multiparous cows in early lactation.