Wheat and wheat-corn Distiller’s Dry Grain with Solubles (DDGS) for Cattle

Wheat and wheat-corn Distiller’s Dry Grain with
Solubles (DDGS) for Cattle
Distiller’s dry grain with solubles
(DDGS)
Distiller’s dry grain with solubles (DDGS), a co-product
of ethanol production, has been utilized as a ruminant
feed for several decades. Recent improvements in
processing technology have led to production of an
even better quality, highly palatable product
The wheat and wheat-corn DDGS
advantage....
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Readily available in western Canada
Good source of high quality protein with a high
rumen by pass value
Good source of essential amino acids such as
lysine and methionine
Excellent source of minerals such as Ca, P, Cu,
Zn, and Mn
Low ether extract content allows safe long-term
storage
Low starch content reduces incidence of acidosis
in feedlot cattle and lactating dairy cows
Can replace protein sources such as soybean
and canola meal
Wheat-corn DDGS in loose form is
readily consumed by cattle
Chemical composition of wheat and
wheat-corn DDGS
Dry matter, %
Crude protein, %
Wheat
DDGS
70/30
Wheat-corn DDGS*
50/50
30/70
86.9
43.5
88.9
39.4
88.8
36.7
90.0
36.2
Soluble protein, %CP
25
20
23
17
Degradable CP, %CP
57
54
48
42
Ether extract, %
6.6
6.7
9.2
9.4
Starch, %
0.7
1.8
0.9
1.3
NDF, %
30.8
29.5
39.1
42.3
ADF, %
20.9
20.9
21.0
22.5
NDICP**, %
21.5
19.4
16.7
9.0
Lignin, %
9.4
7.9
7.8
8.5
*Feedstock wheat to corn ratio: 70/30 = 70% wheat and 30% corn; 50/50
= 50% wheat and 50% corn; 30/70 = 30% wheat and 30% corn
**Neutral detergent insoluble protein
Mineral composition of wheat and
wheat-corn DDGS
Wheat
DDGS
Wheat-corn DDGS**
70/30
50/50
30/70
Ash, %
5.84
6.70
5.82
5.74
Calcium, %
0.12
0.11
0.09
0.06
Phosphorus, %
0.94
0.83
0.92
0.81
Magnesium, %
0.28
0.23
0.63
0.62
Potassium, %
0.88
0.89
0.91
0.95
Sulfur, %
0.64
0.61
0.63
0.57
Copper, mg/kg
8.4
7.9
8.1
7.8
Iron, mg/kg
191
150
192
109
Zinc, mg/kg
117
98
124
137
Manganese, mg/kg
97
85
51
36
**Feedstock wheat to corn rato: 70/30 = 70% wheat and 30% corn; 50/50
= 50% wheat and 50% corn; 30/70 = 30% wheat and 30% corn
Energy content* of wheat and wheatcorn DDGS
TDN, %
NEG, MCal/kg
NEL, MCal/kg
Wheat
DDGS
70/30
Wheat-corn DDGS**
50/50
80
79
76
71
1.35
1.92
1.32
1.89
1.25
1.85
1.12
1.74
30/70
*Fermentation of wheat and corn together results in wheat-corn DDGS with
higher energy content than expected when compared to single feedstock
fermentation
Wheat-corn DDGS in ruminant
rations
Wheat-corn DDGS lends itself to use in rations for
feedlot animals as well as lactating dairy cows.
Recent studies at the University of Manitoba have
also shown the potential for wheat-corn DDGS as
an important supplement for overwintering beef
cattle. These studies have shown that wheat-corn
DDGS can be delivered to cattle using several
strategies: in loose form, as cubes, and as a
molasses-based block.
**Feedstock wheat to corn ratio: 70/30 = 70% wheat and 30% corn; 50/50
= 50% wheat and 50% corn; 30/70 = 30% wheat and 30% corn
Ruminal escape* essential amino acid
content (% residual CP) of wheat and
wheat-corn DDGS
Lysine, %
Methionine, %
Tryptophan, %
Threonine, %
Phenylalanine, %
Valine, %
Leucine, %
Isoleucine, %
Arginine, %
Histidiine, %
Wheat
DDGS
70/30
50/50
30/70
2.14
2.15
1.28
2.97
4.39
3.68
6.93
3.21
3.57
1.89
2.34
2.24
1.26
3.02
4.48
3.51
7.85
2.94
3.46
1.93
1.96
2.52
1.17
3.27
4.73
3.82
10.48
3.25
3.24
2.09
2.03
2.73
1.05
3.43
4.80
3.81
10.71
3.15
3.15
2.12
Wheat-corn DDGS**
*Following 12 hours of ruminal incubation
**Feedstock wheat to corn ratio: 70/30 = 70% wheat and 30% corn; 50/50 =
50% wheat and 50% corn; 30/70 = 30% wheat and 30% corn
Useful equations for predicting nutrient
content of wheat-corn DDGS based on
feedstock wheat content
Component
Wheat and wheat-corn DDGS can be incorporated
into ruminant diets safely at 15 to 20% of ration
DM.
Equation
R2
CP, %
32.0 + 0.11 x wheat content (%)
0.94
NDICP, %
6.64 + 0.16 x wheat content (%)
0.82
EE, %
10.8 – 0.044 x wheat content (%)
0.80
NDF, %
46.0 – 0.17 x wheat content (%)
0.75
Ca, %
0.05 + 0.001 x wheat content (%)
0.81
NEG, MCal/kg
1.07 + 0.003 x wheat content (%)
0.85
Wheat-corn DDGS cubes (left) and molassesbased blocks (right) are readily consumed by
cattle
Wheat-corn DDGS availability
Wheat and wheat-corn DDGS can be obtained
from western Canadian ethanol processing plants.
The ratio of wheat and corn in feedstock used in
the fermentation process will vary depending on
cost and availability. Prediction equations can be
used to estimate the nutrient content of wheat-corn
DDGS