120 ■ ANGUSJournal ■ February 2007

High corn prices and the availability of compatible ethanol coproducts for use

as feed was an easy sell for Hadley FarmsInc., Cambridge, Ill. Al Lyman says theAngus-based finishing program had beenusing corn gluten feed (CGF) since the early1980s, and he was familiar and pleased withthe results he’d seen from feeding gluten.

“We finish about 600 yearlings annually,and push those cattle on a high-energy diet,”Lyman says. His wife, Karen Hadley Lyman,is the fifth generation in the familyoperation. “Two years ago, we switched tomodified wet distillers’ grain [with solubles](MWDGS), which we obtain from an ADMethanol plant. Since corn prices are higher, itis more economical to feed distillers,’ and wecan get it close by. It works well for us.”

More and more cattle producers in Illinois

are finding ethanol coproducts, bothMWDGS and distillers’ dried grains plussolubles (DDGS), are economical and better-performing feed ingredients than corn orCGF in high-energy diets. And, bothdistillers’ products are becoming morereadily available across Illinois.

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA)estimates nearly half of U.S. fuel alcoholproduction occurs in Illinois and nearbystates. The Illinois Corn Growers Association(ICGA) notes six ethanol plants produce 800million gallons (gal.) of ethanol in Illinoiseach year, and another 350 million gal. willbe coming on line soon. For every bushel ofcorn made into ethanol, the association says,about 18 pounds (lb.) of distillers’ grains arecreated. More than 20 additional ethanolplants are in various planning stages inIllinois.

“The combination of high protein, fat andphosphorus concentrations in a low-starchfeedstuff makes DGS an excellent choice forbeef producers interested in reducing feedcosts without sacrificing animalperformance,” says Justin Sexten, University

of Illinois Extension beef specialist. “Whenconsidering incorporating DGS into afeeding program, beef producers need toconsider the nutritional characteristics of theproduct, transportation costs, storageoptions and feeding methods.”

ChangesLyman finishes Angus-based cattle

because they perform well in the feedlot andgrade well. The operation for the last threeyears has also produced beef for Wolfe’sNeck Natural Beef, a Pineland FarmsNatural Meats Inc. Co., based in Maine.Wolfe’s Neck works closely with its farmersto monitor select feed rations for aminimum 120 days.

“What we have found is that MWDGShas higher energy than corn and now is halfthe price on a dry-matter basis. In finishingcattle, energy is one of the most importantthings for us; more important than protein,”Lyman says. “We mix and balance our ownrations. The wet corn gluten has 90% theenergy of corn, while the wet distillers’ is102% to 105% the energy and higher in

Distillers’ DecisionsFeeding ethanol coproducts is an easy sell in Illinois.

by Barb Baylor Anderson

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protein. We don’t get that from forage orsoymeal.”

Sexten notes that cattle on forage dietsmay require protein, energy and phosphorussupplementation.

“Most forage protein is degraded in therumen, so cattle also require undegradedprotein supplementation,” he says.“Distillers’ grains plus solubles providesundegraded protein and phosphorus in ahigh-energy supplement that will notdepress forage digestion due to its low starchcontent.”

Lyman stopped feeding corn silage asroughage about five years ago. Today, theoperation uses cornstalks, wheat straw, ryeand some alfalfa instead.

“We grow our own corn and wheat,”Lyman says. “We put dry shell corn throughthe roller mill and add the modified wetdistillers’ and balance the ration. In makingthe switch from corn gluten to distillers’, wehave created higher-energy diets. I wouldsuggest producers work with their Extensionon feeding. Balancing the calcium andphosphorus ratio can be an issue, and youmay need to add thiamin.”

The performance results speak forthemselves. On the MWDGS, Lyman saysthe cattle are gaining not quite 4 lb. per dayon the high end.

“It performs every bit as well as corngluten, maybe better,” he says. “I know somepeople think feeding distillers’ hurts thegrading, but I think the jury is still out onthat. Age may be just as much a factor. Weare feeding younger and younger all thetime. Most of the cattle are only 16 to 22months old when they are done now.”

Lyman cautions that handling and storagecan also be a concern for some producers.He has the wet distillers’ delivered to thefarm with a semi end-dump trailer and usesa belt conveyer to unload the product on aconcrete pad.

“It stores fairly well,” he says. “Thedistillers’ lasts about 10 days in storage inwarm temperatures and a little longerduring the winter when it is cooler.”

Lyman recommends working with a feedcompany familiar with the qualities andnutrition of ethanol coproducts, becausethose factors can vary from plant to plant.

“Look at the costs, including thetransportation costs, and how hard or easy itis to incorporate distillers’ into your rations.We are 75 miles from the plant we use, and itis priced competitively,” he says. “We haveseveral plants under construction near us,two in our county alone. When they comeon line, we will check those out, too.Distillers’ grains are here to stay as afeedstuff. You have to take a look at it.”

Penciling it out Since feed costs are the largest factor influencing beef herd profitability, Justin

Sexten, University of Illinois Extension beef specialist, advises producers to evaluatefeeds on a dry-matter (DM) basis to determine their economic feasibility. Using localfeeds when possible and calculating transportation costs help determine whichproduct is most economical.

When feed costs and transportation costs per ton of DM are quoted together, Sextenestimates the general total cost of feed DM delivered to the farm as follows:

Delivered feed cost per ton ÷ % DM = $ per ton of feed DM delivered

Soybean meal (SBM): $200 ÷ 0.90 = $222DDGS: $140 ÷ 0.90 = $156MWDGS: $51 ÷ 0.50 = $102CGF: $85 ÷ 0.90 = $94

“Calculations aid in determining the base price producers can use to determinedelivery cost to the farm,” Sexten says. “Determining the most economical feedstuffrequires additional calculations to determine actual nutrient costs. Since protein isgenerally the most expensive nutrient, cost analysis evaluating each on a protein basisis appropriate.”

$ per ton DM delivered ÷ % crude protein (CP) = $ per ton CP, DM delivered

SBM: $222 ÷ 0.48 = $463DDGS: $156 ÷ 0.30 = $520MWDGS: $102 ÷ 0.30 = $340CGF: $94 ÷ 0.21 = $448

“In this example, MWDGS is the most economical protein source. If storing andfeeding wet products do not fit the operation, the comparison suggests CGF is moreeconomical than SBM or DDGS,” Sexten says. “When inclusion rates exceed animalprotein needs, evaluate the feed alternatives on an energy basis as well.”

$ per ton DM delivered ÷ % total digestible nutrients (TDN) = $ per ton TDN, DMdelivered

SBM: $222 ÷ 0.85 = $261DDGS: $156 ÷ 0.92 = $170MWDGS: $102 ÷ 0.95 = $107CGF: $94 ÷ 0.80 = $118

Since feedlot research has indicated DGS have about 120% of the energy value ofcorn, DGS can be substituted in feedlot diets beyond protein supplementation.Finishing cattle (900-1,200 lb.) can be fed 10-20 lb. of MWDGS or 4-9 lb. of DDGS.

Sexten cautions that high concentrations of phosphorus and sulfur requiremanagement to prevent mineral imbalances. Diets utilizing DGS must maintain a

calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 1.8-to-1. In addition, dietary sulfur levels inexcess of 0.4% of DM can lead to polioencephalomalacia (PEM). PEM occurs

with sulfide overproduction in the rumen. Diets high in dietary sulfurmay also require thiamine supplementation.

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