Wet Sorghum and Corn Distillers Grain

by Dr. James I. Sprague

Research reports about co-products of the fuel ethanol industry have appeared in 2005 in university publications and American Society of Animal Science’s spring and summer abstracts. Both wet and dry distillers products and other co-products of ethanol and corn sweeteners production are now readily available to feedlots, stocker operations and even used for supplements for breeding stock.

Distillers grains from milo…a super feed!
Milo (sorghum grain) has a poor reputation by many nutritionists and cattle feeders. But when milo is turned into wet distiller’s grains it becomes an excellent feed. It compared favorably to flaked corn according to Drouillard and co-workers as reported in Kansas State University Beef Cattleman’s Day (2005). The research evaluated levels of eight to 40 percent of the dry matter. Dry matter intake decreased linearly as the level of sorghum distiller’s grain increased, but daily gain was highest at eight and 16 percent levels.

The researchers also found the USDA yield grade 1 decreased linearly and the yield grade 3 increased linearly with the increase of the wet sorghum distillers grains.

The researcher reported, “Regression analysis of efficiency data indicates that the optimum amount of sorghum wet distillers grains in steam flaked diets is approximately 15 percent. Diets containing as much as 24 percent of wet sorghum distillers grains yielded efficiencies equal or superior to diets containing no wet sorghum distillers grains.”

Complementary effects
Even though this research did not compare wet sorghum distillers grains with flaked sorghum grains, it did point out the value of the distillers product as a replacement for corn at various levels. The high protein content of the distiller’s grain and the moisture that the product adds to a ration are possible complementary benefits. Wet sorghum distillers grains possibly may have an even more superior replacement value compared to dry processed corn or milo. The fermentation process produces a very highly digestible protein and fiber.

Corn distiller’s grains valuable for high roughage rations
Considerable corn distillers grain trials have been completed and evaluated at the University of Nebraska. They determined the energy value of corn distillers with high roughage rations. Klopfenstein and Adams reported “Experiments were conducted with calves fed grass hay and levels of distiller’s grain or corn. Apparent energy value of the distiller’s grains was 127 percent of the value or corn.” Furthermore, they report when feeding on either low or high quality forage, distillers grains increased gains and reduced forage intake.

Supplementation of corn distiller’s grains
Erickson and Klopfenstein also at Nebraska said in their review “Despite the predominant source of as UIP (undegraded intake protein), protein supply in diets containing more than 20 percent distillers grains is enough that no supplemental DIP (i.e. no urea) is required.” They further explain the economics based on cattle performance responses, (1) the distance from the plant and (2) corn prices the optimum inclusion rate is 30-40 percent of the dry matter in finishing rations. They imply that the optimum level in high roughage grow rations is more, and may have an energy value or 125 percent of corn.

Organic acids stabilize wet distiller’s grains
One of the challenges of using wet distillers grains is the “shelf life” of the product when not used rapidly. Research reported by the Kemin Company, as reported in the abstracts of the March 2005 proceedings of the American Society of Animal Science demonstrated wet distiller’s grains treated with their products at 1.1 percent was successful in preventing mold. Stabilization and no mold growth for 21 to 28 day were reported depending on the mixture of their products. Their conclusion: “These results show that synergistic blend of organic acids with or without the addition of antioxidants can stabilize WDG and ensure its high nutritive value for long periods of time.”

Low cost vacuum storage for wet distiller’s grain
Another idea for extending the shelf life of wet distiller grains is covering with plastic. Walker, Earling and Mathews at the University of Kentucky placed wet fresh distillers grain on a white sheet of silo plastic covering material. Prior to covering the wet material with the plastic material, a 5.08 cm (2 in.) perforated pipe was placed in the wet distillers grains. The air was evacuated with a 5 hp vacuum pump. The covering was held in place with ground limestone. The air was evacuated three times per day for five days.

The trial suggested vacuum storage can prolong the storage of wet distiller’s grains for prolonged periods, but the vacuum procedure used did not ensile wet distillers grains. ©