Impact of Feeding Distillers Grains Compared to New Fractionated Distillers Grains (Solbran) on Feedlot Cattle Performance and Enteric Methane

Authors

Debora G. Sousa, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Rebecca L. McDermott, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mitchell M. Norman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
James C. MacDonald, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Rick Stock, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ryan A. Mass, ICM Biofuels
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2025

Citation

2025 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, pages 48-52

University of Nebraska Extension, 2025

Comments

Copyright 2025, Board of Regents, University of Nebraska. Used by permission

Abstract

Summary with Implications

This study evaluated feeding wet or dry traditional distillers grains with wet and dry fractionated distillers (Solbran) fed at 40% of diet DM compared to a corn control diet on enteric methane emissions and performance. Compared to the control, there was no difference in carbon dioxide production, but there was an increase in methane production in the steers fed fractionated distillers compared to conventional distillers. Feeding steers traditional or fractionated distillers grains increased consumption, increased gain, but improved conversions only for steers fed WDGS, while steers fed the other distillers grains had worse or the same feed conversions as steers fed the control corn diet. The ethanol plant processing methods increased the intake of steers fed fractionated distillers grains but did not affect gain or feed efficiency. In terms of moisture content, steers fed wet distillers grains had lower intake, but similar gain to steers fed dry distillers grains. This resulted in better feed efficiency for the steers fed wet distillers grains.