Feeding Dried Distillers Grain Solubles to Swine
David Stender,
swine field specialist
Situation
Technology in the swine industry is rapidly advancing. Producers are pressured
to keep up with the advances in technology. In Dec 2002, 55 producers looking
to understand advantages and cautions concerning feeding Dry Distiller Grain
Solubles (DDGS) to swine. Participants attending had control over 711,100 finishing
pigs and 37,627 breeding stock. A significant portion of swine production in
Northwest Iowa. I helped develop a DDGS analyzer software to help producers
in Northwest Iowa make more informed decisions regarding the purchase of DDGS
from a local ethanol plant. The software was sent home on a floppy disk at the
meeting and send to other producers inquiring after the workshop via email attachment.
Response
Surveys were mailed out 10 months following the program to check for changed
behavior and impact from the previous programming efforts. Twenty-two surveys
were returned and the results that participants reported are as follows:
- Twenty-one of the 22 respondents reported
that their understanding of the characteristics and feeding value of ethanol
co-products increased as result of Extension programming in this area.
- Sixteen of the respondents have adopted the new technology
of feeding DDGS to swine, 4 were veterinarians and ag professionals, 2 have
not yet started feeding DDGS.
- Eleven of the participants reported
greater ability to price ethanol co-products
- Ten operations were able to reduce the cost of their rations
- Thirteen swine producers shared information with others,
multiplying the impact of the program
- Eight operations said they have a reduced incidence of ileitis,
a swine gut disease, because of feeding DDGS.
- Five fed enough DDGS to adjust their fertility rates reducing
the amount of inorganic phosphorus applied, and six more spread manure thinner
over more acres because the phosphorus in DDGS is more available to the pig
resulting in less phosphorus in the manure.
Impact
A few examples of the most important ideas learned by producers
include:
Cost advantage, ability to use in swine diets and pricing rations;
Health benefits, ileitis benefits;
Effects on manure, manure management issues;
Feeding rate, nutrient profile. Pricing thumb rules were great!
Incorporation of DDGS through our feed business;
The high level of lysine in DDGS;
Quality of distillers, Quality control of DDGS, Variability in product;
Ration diet formulation, added oil in DDGS;
Toxin levels of by-product, Monitor myco toxin levels more frequently.
Seven producers were able to calculate the economic impact to their operations.
The average benefit were $3300 per operation.
Page last updated:
July 9, 2006
Page maintained by Linda Schultz, lschultz@iastate.edu
