Quality Liquid Feeds, a manufacturer of liquid feed supplements, recently announced its commitment to the coproducts market. Headquartered in Dodgeville, Wisc., Quality Liquid Feeds now is focusing on the unique needs of beef feedlots that use coproducts from local ethanol plants. The number of ethanol plants is growing rapidly due to use of ethanol as a replacement for MTBE in gasoline.

"Today we are formally announcing our commitment to this market, to helping producers evaluate and economically use coproducts in beef feedlots," announced Cory Berg, President of family-owned Quality Liquid Feeds. "Certain challenges exist in feeding coproducts, but sound animal nutrition, scientific research, and common sense can answer these challenges."

"Feedlots within 50 to 75 miles of ethanol plants have potential to decrease expenses and increase income when properly feeding wet coproducts from ethanol plants," says Evan Vermeer, Feedlot Industry Specialist, Quality Liquid Feeds. "We've now committed to assisting feedlot managers in making the best feed use possible of this local resource."

Coproducts make an excellent feedstuff. "They contain high levels of protein and fat along with most of the vitamins and minerals from the corn," says Vermeer. "Only the starch in corn is fermented to make ethanol. Virtually the rest of the kernel becomes part of the coproducts."

Advantages exist for both the ethanol plants and cattle feeders in feeding wet coproducts locally versus drying them for use elsewhere. The ethanol plants incur fewer costs. The cattle feeders receive a lower-cost feed ingredient. In addition, lab tests indicate a higher energy level in the wet product than the dry product.

Quality Liquid Feeds offers a full line of liquid feed supplements for feedlot, pasture cattle and dairy cattle. Quality Liquid Feeds also manufactures and markets a premier line of products to enhance the palatability and performance of specialized textured feeds primarily for horses, calves and show animals. Quality Liquid Feeds can be contacted at QLF@QLF.com or 800-236-2345. ©