Ruminal Methane Production Following the Replacement of Dietary Corn with Dried Distillers Grains

Authors

Eric J. Behlke, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Tim G. Sanderson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jess L. Miner, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

January 2008

Comments

Published in 2008 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2007 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Methane production was measured following the replacement of corn with DDGS in vitro and also after the simultaneous replacement of corn and corn oil with DDGS (for 30% of the diet) in vivo. In vitro substitution of corn with DDGS increased the amount of methane produced per milligram of DM digested. Likewise, in vivo methane production was increased by 44% when corn and corn oil were replaced with DDGS. The greater energy value of DDGS relative to corn in a concentrate-based diet is not due to decreased methanogenesis.