Beef

Influence of Distillers Grains from a Cellulosic Ethanol Process Utilizing Corn Kernel Fiber on Nutrient Digestibility of Lambs and Steer Feedlot Performance

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Abstract

Two experiments were designed to evaluate the impact of traditional wet distillers grains (T-WDG) compared to wet distillers grains derived from a novel process for conversion of corn kernel fiber into cellulosic ethanol (C-WDG) on nutrient digestibility and animal performance. Experiment 1 utilized 10 wethers in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square design to evaluate the digestibility of dry matter, fiber, fat, and crude protein in diets containing T-WDG or C-WDG. In experiment 2, 168 crossbred steers were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the impact of T-WDG or C-WDG in finishing diets on performance and carcass characteristics. Although digestibility of T-WDG and C-WDG slightly varied at moderate inclusions in the diet, performance and carcass characteristics of steers fed 30% T-WDG were similar to steers fed 30% C-WDG. Therefore, incorporation of a co-product from a novel, secondary fermentation process for conversion of corn kernel fiber into cellulosic ethanol maintained significant growth performance of cattle when replacing corn in finishing diets.

Keywords: Animal Science, ASL R2951

How to Cite:

Lundy, E. L., Loy, D. D. & Hansen, S. L., (2015) “Influence of Distillers Grains from a Cellulosic Ethanol Process Utilizing Corn Kernel Fiber on Nutrient Digestibility of Lambs and Steer Feedlot Performance”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 12(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-1273