Distillers grain ?

[Dave from MN]

OK, A local feed store has calf grower right now for $12.70/100#. I am gonna get a 1/2 ton as it is cheaper than I what I have on hand already. I am wondering about distiller grains. Are they any good for feed mixed with pellets and oats? Are there any side effects for the cattle or the taste of the beef. I am gonna sell my red holstien steers as soon as they hit 350# and will be getting a half dozen or so steers to finish for next fall, and a couple heifers or bred cows. Can some one give me an idea if I should pursue a distillers mix, or should I just stick with this grower mix and buy more while it is somewhat low.

 

[Nebraska Cowman]

Look at the tag on the "grower" I bet it has distillers in it cuz it's cheap protein. And no, you won't taste it in the meat. You will have to decide what will give you the most feed value for your $. Your feed man should be able to help you with that.

 

[John (C-IL)]

If you are using DDGS you don't need the protein supplement. Mix the stuff with corn and oats and some bi-product balancer and you are good to go. DDGS should also be used sparingly for small calves but will work good in a finishing ration.

 

[kyhayman]

Its good stuff. On a dry basis you will find it fairly comparable to corn glutten in nutritional value. The source can cause some variation in the quality. If it comes from an ethanol distillery usually the fat content and the portion of heat damaged protein is higher than from a liquor distillery. Also, if its from a liquor distillery it may be a mixed grain (probably will be) whereas almost all ethanol plants run straight corn. Taste-wise in the beed, its grain, pure and simple. As long as their have been cattle fed grain in the US, they have been eating distillers grains both beef and dairy cows.

 

[Ken 46]

Here in SW Kansas several outfits have fed distillers grain for years.
Talk to your nutritionist. They will tell you how much. Your distiller should be able to give you the amount of protein it carries. Nebraska Cowman is right on.
I used to figure rations for Feedyards to FFA kids. A good nutritionist will give you some directions for free. I used to sell more feed by helping people than I ever did by trying to get them to buy my product.
People appreciate the help that works.

Good Luck

 

[Horter Restoration]

Very good product. We have used it for over ten years. We have used the dry product, wet, and now we have a modified product. Basically DDG mixed with syrup. Its a wetter product. We creep feed our calves with oats, corn, DDG, and supplements. Then when we wean thats the feed they get starting out. We then switch them over to a silage, corn, modified ddg, hay ration once they start eating good. It is a CHEAP source of protein. In SD it is very little in cost. Basically the cost is in the trucking. Dry DDG is more costly, but easier to keep. No, you won't taste it in the meat at all. The cattle really seem to do well on it. I would say get after it, and it supports the ethanol industry as well. Good luck.

 

[INCase]

With everyone on the ethanol/gas band wagon it should be getting more readily available too.