Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
9/10/04
Contacts:
Allen Trenkle, Iowa State University, (515) 294-4631, atrenkle@iastate.edu
Rachel E. Martin, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-9124, remartin@iastate.edu
Condensed Distillers Solubles Shown To Lower Costs, But Not Carcass Quality
AMES, Iowa -- Recent research from Iowa State University (ISU) shows that condensed distillers solubles, a co-product from the manufacture of ethanol from corn, can be fed to finishing cattle without reducing performance or carcass value.
Condensed distillers solubles (CDS) are derived from partially dehydrating thin stillage, which remains after removing the ethanol and wet grain fraction from the fermentation of corn grain. CDS contains about 30 percent dry matter but is considered a liquid product, and based on nutrient composition, is considered as a source of energy and protein in a beef ration.
Allen Trenkle, ISU professor of animal science, set out to discover if CDS, fed at levels of 4, 8 and 12 percent of ration dry matter to finishing steers, would show any affect on feed efficiency and carcass evaluation. The yearling steers were divided into groups and fed CDS at different levels for 109 days.
The results showed that feeding CDS at 4, 8 and 12 percent of total ration had no effect on performance of the cattle, carcass measurements or carcass value in a value-based grid. In fact, according to Trenkle, "CDS has value as a feed for finishing cattle and its relative energy value is equal to or greater than corn grain."
In addition to positive performance results, CDS can be a cheaper alternative to corn. Trenkle's research showed that the calculated replacement values for CDS were $14.82 and $27.12 per ton at 8 percent and 12 percent of total ration dry matter, respectively. "There may be some variation in CDS among dry mill corn processing plants," cautions Trenkle. "Nevertheless, CDS has been found to have relative energy values equal to or greater than dry rolled corn."
More information about this study and ethanol co-products for cattle can be found at the Iowa Beef Center Web site, www.iowabeefcenter.org, or by contacting Trenkle at (515) 294-4447 or atrenkle@iastate.edu.
The Iowa Beef Center began operation in 1996 to support the growth and vitality of the beef cattle industry of the state. Part of ISU Extension, the Iowa Beef Center is the central access point for Iowa State University programs related to the beef industry. For more information, visit the Web site at www.iowabeefcenter.org or call (515) 294-BEEF.
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