Dried Distillers Grains as a Grazed Forage Supplement

Authors

James C. MacDonald, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1-1-2004

Comments

Published in 2004 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2003 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Thirty heifers grazing smooth bromegrass were individually supplemented with 0, 1.0, 2.1, 3.1, or 4.2 lb per head per day (DM) dried distillers grains (DDG) for 84 days to determine effects of DDG supplementation on ADG and forage intake and to determine the value of DDG in grazing enterprises. Forage intake was estimated using the 1996 NRC model. Supplementation of DDG resulted in a linear increase in ADG and decreased estimated forage intake. DDG may be an attractive forage supplement due to increased revenue from additional ADG and savings from decreased forage intake.