Feedstock Makes a Difference in Feeding Distiller's Grains


May 08, 2008
Writer(s): Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5600,SKledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Distiller's grains made from grain sorghum do not have as high energy value as corn-derived distiller's grains, according to Dr. Jim MacDonald, Texas AgriLife Research beef nutritionist at Amarillo. (Texas AgriLife Research photo by Kay Ledbetter)
Corn-derived distiller's grains have an energy value roughly equivalent to steam-flaked corn when incorporated into finishing rations of cattle on the High Plains, said Dr. Jim MacDonald, Texas AgriLife Research beef nutritionist in Amarillo. (Texas AgriLife Research photo by Kay Ledbetter)
Dr. Jim MacDonald, Texas AgriLife Research beef nutritionist in Amarillo, said after two years of study he has concluded corn-based distiller's grains have a place in the rations of the cattle feeding industry in the High Plains. (Texas AgriLife Research photo by Kay Ledbetter)
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Contact(s): Dr. Jim MacDonald, 806-677-5600, jcmacdonald@ag.tamu.edu

AMARILLO – When it comes to using distiller’s grains in finishing rations of High Plains cattle, a Texas AgriLife Research scientist says the type of grain used makes all the difference.

Dr. Jim MacDonald, AgriLife Research beef nutritionist at Amarillo, said there’s been some skepticism about using distiller’s grains in this region. Distiller’s grains are a by-product of ethanol processing that can be used for animal feed.

“I believe we can do it successfully, provided we have distiller’s grains that are equivalent in quality to those used in the North Plains states,” he said.

Two years ago, MacDonald began investigating the dramatically different animal performance responses observed in the Northern Plains and Southern Plains, and to determine how to successfully incorporate distiller’s grains into this region’s finishing rations.

“There are two obvious differences in research conducted in those two ...

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