Sorghum WDGS Feeding Trials
Conestoga Energy and the Sorghum Checkoff are conducting a feeding trial on the performance of beef cattle fed wet distiller’s grains with solubles (WDGS). WDGS are byproducts of producing ethanol and are used as feed for dairies and feedyards. The different rations will contain blends of corn WDGS, sorghum WDGS or both. The trial began in September and has a target completion date of Feb. 2011.
In the study, four different treatments will be administered and divided among 2,800 head of cattle. It is the perception of some cattle feeders that corn WDGS is always superior to grain sorghum WDGS. This study aims to recognize sorghum as a high quality substitute to corn WDGS in feed rations for cattle and that distillers grains should be evaluated in terms of crude fat and protein rather than source feedstock.
The four treatments consist of an all corn WDGS ration, an all grain sorghum WDGS ration, a half corn WDGS and half sorghum WDGS ration, and a reduced-fat corn WDGS. The different treatment groups will be fed for approximately 160 days, and the different rations will be produced at Arklon Ethanol, located in Liberal, Kan.
Matt Durler, distillers customer service representative for Conestoga Energy, said ethanol plants used to sell their sorghum WDGS for much less than corn because many cattle feeders assume that corn allows feeder cattle to perform better. They now sell all distillers grains based on a crude fat guarantee of 11.5 percent, a target met both with 100 percent corn, as well as grain sorghum blends as long as the plant is running well.
"Cattle feeders believe the sorghum wet distillers grains contain less fat content than corn," Durler said. "We are trying to prove they are very comparable and should be sold for an equal price."
The goal of this test is to establish that sorghum is nutritious for beef cattle. This theory, if proven, should increase the value of sorghum WDGS being sold directly from the ethanol plants and, in turn, allow them to purchase more sorghum at a higher value. The study will record daily consumption, feed conversion, average daily gain and carcass merits. Cattle will consume around 12.5 pounds of WDGS a day, approximately 35 percent of the ration, and each group will be randomly selected.
"It is important to do this in a realistic setting, which is in the feedyard." Durler said. "Most studies take place on a much smaller scale and may not be as accurate, so this trial should give a more realistic idea of how valuable sorghum WDGS are to beef producers."