Utilizing energy co-products for feeds

Dr. Vern Anderson

Carrington Research Extension Center

North Dakota State University

Microbial populations
in the rumen

n Competition for space between two types

n Fiber (forage) digesting microbes

n Mostly bacteria, some protozoa, maybe fungi

n “Cellulolytic” function

n Starch digesting microbes

n Different species of bacteria

n Reduce fiber digestion potential

n “Amylolytic” function

n Even mixes of starch and fiber are most inefficient

Sources of energy for cattle

n Forage

n Low quality forages need supplementation

n Primarily during winter feeding period

n Concentrates

n Starch from corn, barley, peas, oats

n Fat from oilseeds, corn co-products,

n Digestible fiber - hemicellulose fraction

n Protein

Understanding protein

n Crude protein measurement

n Analyze for nitrogen

n N x 6.25 = protein content (%)

n Rumen degradable vs. undegradable

n Degradable protein feeds the microbes

n Enhanced fiber digestion

How accurate are protein requirements

Smörgasbord of feeds available

Wheat middlings (midds, mill run)

n Residue from milling wheat or durum

n Germ and bran plus residual starch

n 21% of grain by weight

n Energy = 83% TDN

n Crude protein = 17.6 %

n Acid detergent fiber – 11%

n Usually pelleted, some fines 

Wheat (and durum) screenings

n Grind

n Highly variable nutrients

n Energy = 70-85 TDN %

n Crude Protein = 12-18%

n Sprouts and scab do not affect feed value

n Mix with other feeds

n Modest to high starch content

n Usually cheap

Using wheat midds

n Very consistent product

n Marginal pellet quality

n Up to 15 pounds in cow diets

n Laxative at high levels

n Can partially replace forage

n High phosphorous, need to add calcium

Purchasing wheat midds

n Seasonal price swings

n Moisture affects storage

n Potential for mold

n Use aeration bin or flat storage

n Several sources across the state

n ~1000 tons per day in ND

Barley malt pellets

n Dried malt sprouts and screenings

n Energy - TDN = 74%

n Crude protein = 14-22%

n Acid detergent fiber - 15%

n Safe and very palatable

n Does not need processing

n Will store for long term

n Consistent feed

Corn grain

n Energy - TDN = 89%

n Crude protein = 9 - 10% (60% UIP)

n Calcium = .02%

n Phosphorous = .30%

n Potassium = .37%

n Roll or grind

Distillers grains

n From dry corn milling (ethanol), no starch

n Marketed dry or wet (30-40% dry matter)

n Energy- varies with solubles (CDS) and fat

n Wet – TDN 89%

n Dry – TDN 86%

n Crude protein-26-32% (DDG higher by-pass)

n Acid detergent fiber - 14%

n Very palatable

Condensed Distillers Solubles

n Liquid fraction from ethanol plants

n ~ 30% DM

n Energy = 97% TDN  

n Up to 10% fat

n Protein = 25%

n Add to low quality forage diet

n No starch

n Spray or pour on low quality forage

Corn gluten feed

n From wet corn milling (fructose plants), no starch

n Sold wet (up to 60% moisture) or dry

n Energy in CGF

n Wet - 88% TDN

n Dry - 83% TDN

n Crude protein ~ 21.5% (DM basis)

n Very palatable and safe

n Dry pelleted feed useful in several rations

Whole soybeans

n Reject or immature beans

n Grind or roll

n Crude protein = 41%

n Energy (44% meal) = 91 TDN %

n Acid detergent fiber - 10%

n Often NOT competitive in price

Soybean meal

n Industry standard protein supplement

n Crude protein = 44-48%

n Energy (44% meal) = 84 TDN %

n Acid detergent fiber - 11%

n Often NOT competitive in price

Canola meal

n Energy = 69 TDN%

n Crude protein - 41%

n Very rumen degradable

n Acid detergent fiber - 18%

n Competitively priced

n Primary co-product of biodiesel industry in North Dakota

Sunflower meal

n Crude protein – 28-42+%

n Varies with amount of hull

n Protein is highly rumen degradable

n Energy (42% CP) = 74 TDN%

n Acid detergent fiber – 28%

n varies with amount of hull

Safflower meal

n Limited to western ND/MT

n Crude protein - 25.4%

n Energy = 57 TDN%

n Acid detergent fiber - 41%

n Useful for cows

Linseed meal

n From flax

n Crude protein – 38+%

n Energy = 78% TDN

n Acid detergent fiber – 19%

n Versatile protein source

n Ground flax useful as a feed

n 35=% fat

Soybean hulls

n Hull removed before oil extraction

n Crude protein = 11.5%

n Energy = 80 TDN %

n More energy than analysis suggests

n Highly digestible hemi-cellulose fraction

n Acid detergent fiber - 45%

n Very palatable, versatile, and safe

n Widely used in mfg feeds

Field peas

n Annual legume popular in crop rotations

n Crude Protein = 24%

n Energy = 89% TDN

n Acid detergent fiber - 8%

n Very palatable

n Roll or grind, mix with other feeds

n Exceptional binder for cake or pellets

Field peas

n Acreage increasing

n Excellent crop for rotations

n Feed value not widely known

n Economically competitive with all other feeds

n Exceptional feed for receiving diets

n Matches corn in feedlot diets

n Improved eating qualities in beef

n Increased juiciness and tenderness

n Ribeyes from

    pea fed steers at

    NDSU

    Carrington

Effects of peas on taste panel response (unpublished)

Screenings of all kinds

n Attraction is low cost

n Highly variable in nutrient content

n Usually contain weed seeds

n Not very digestible

n Recommend grinding

n Compost manure to kill seeds

Manufactured feeds

n Commercial feeds with co-product base

n Vitamins, minerals and additives included

n Formulated to match forage/grain base

n Pellets, range cake, or cubes

n Liquid feeds

n Tubs and blocks

n Packaged and marketed for convenience and maximum production

n May come with supporting services

Winter feeding challenge

n Cold is a two edged sword

n Stimulates appetite

n Speeds up passage rate

n Reduces digestibility

n Cows can die with a full stomach

n Higher digestibility feed required

n Increased genetics requires better feed

n Supplement cows to stay ahead of environment

Effects of temperature on feed intake

Temperature effects on maintenance and gain

Cattle on feed at the Carrington Research Center during the winter

Review

n High starch feeds - use at modest levels or give up some fiber digestion efficiency

n Corn, barley, peas, wheat, screenings, oats

n Co-product feeds – use as needed for energy and protein

n Corn co-products, oilseed meals, soyhulls, barley malt, wheat midds, others

Conclusions

n ND Agriculture is out of balance

n  < 20% of  ag  income from livestock

n ND has an abundant supply and a wide variety of cost competitive feeds available

n Potential to double beef cow numbers…..

n Growing feedlot industry

n Dairy development and recruitment efforts