Effects of Sulfur Content of Distillers Grains in Beef Cattle Finishing Diets on Intake, Ruminal pH, and Hydrogen Sulfide

Authors

Jhones O. Sarturi, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry Klopfenstein Klopfenstein, Universitiy of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Judson Vasconcelos, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kelsey Rolfe, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

2011

Comments

Published in 2011 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Published by the Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Copyright © 2011 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

A metabolism study was conducted to evaluate dietary sulfur (S) in beef cattle finishing diets formulated with wet and dry distillers grains with solubles (DGS) containing low (0.82%) and high (1.16%) S concentration. There was no interaction between moisture and S for intake, DM digestibility, or hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). Steers fed low S DGS consumed more feed than steers fed high S DGS. Subtle differences were observed for ruminal pH variables. Propionate and butyrate concentrations decreased when high sulfur DGS was fed. Sulfur of DGS impacts intake, VFA, and ruminal H₂S concentration. Wet DGS may be more prone to conversion of S to H₂S in the rumen than dry DGS.