• Pricey for some species – may not be a good buy for animals with lower nutrient requirements
• “Free” does not mean it should be used
Features of Wet Brewer’s Grains
As Fed, Brewer’s Grain is Mostly Water!
89
23
88 89 88 88 92
11
77
12 11 12 12 8
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
100
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AsFedWater% AsFedDM%
Fescue Hay Corn WBG Comments
Dry matter, % as fed: 83.4 88.7 20.4 WBG is wet!
Dry matter basis, %
Crude protein, %: 10.7 9.3 29.0 WBG has high protein!
Non-fiber carbohydrates: 11.8 77.5 19.3 Corn has high starch
Total digestible nutrients: 53.0 88.7 72.3 Fescue is less digestible
Rumen degradable protein, % of CP: 82.0 57.4 40.9 Important for dairy cows & backgrounding calves Rumen undegradable protein, % of CP: 18.0 42.6 59.1
Acid detergent fiber: 47.3 3.2 25.9 FH>WBG>C in fiber
Neutral detergent fiber: 72.6 8.3 51.5 FH>WBG>C in fiber
Basic Nutrient Composition
Source: Philipe Moriel, Feedstuffs, November 17, 2014 (NCSU Research Station, Waynesville, NC)
Livestock
Pounds of Wet Brewers Grain/Day
Issues
Dairy cows Up to 40 Suppressed intake at high levels
Dairy goats Up to 2 May not consume that much
Preconditioning calves Up to 20 Best if mixed with dry grain
Weaned goat kids Up to 5 Best if mixed with dry grain
Replacement dairy heifers Up to 25 Supplemental energy needed
Pregnant sows Up to 10 Supplemental energy needed
Beef cows with calves Up to 20 May need added energy source
Dry cows Up to 10 Over feeding protein
Poultry Minimal Energy may be limited
Nursing sows Up to 5 Energy may be limited
Growing pigs Minimal Energy is limited
Mature horses Up to 20? Very limited information
Some General Guidelines
4
Procurement and Hauling
Procured within 1-3 days of production (seasonal) Procured from a clean, closed container Hauled with clean containers, truck or trailer Hauled with leak-proof containers, truck or trailer
Storage on the Farm
Containers such as large garbage cans with tops On a hard surface with run-off containment* In a small covered pile Limit storage to 7 to 14 days, depending on season Ensile for prolonged storage in silage bag
* Run off liquid has nutrients, so keeping it contained improves utilization.
Storage and Feeding on the Farm
Use very large trash can with bag inserted
Evacuate bag with shop vacuum
Close evacuated bag with double twist-ties
Store in coolest location possible in summer
Feed from top, evacuate and tie again
Feed daily for more consistent intake
Storage in Silo Bag
Bagger is attached to semi-trailer delivering WBG.
Bag is filled by dumping the trailer and moving forward.
Ensiled WBG lasts for months.
Best to purchase full load.
Bagging adds about $6 per ton to cost.
Ingredient
Current Price
per Ton Calculated
Value
Value minus Price
Shelled Corn $134 $143 $9
Corn Silage $39 $41 $2
Poor Quality Hay $100 $101 $1
Wet Brewers $45 $45 $0
Soy Hulls $135 $120 -$15
Distillers Dried G. $125 $106 -$19
Good Quality Hay $172 $142 -$30
Molasses $195 $159 -$36
Corn Stover $72 $33 -$39
Soybean Meal 48% $290 $228 -$62
DAIRY Cow Feed Values 12.20.2014
Ingredient
Current Price
per Ton Calculated
Value
Value minus Price
Soy Hulls $135 $153 $18
Poor Quality Hay $100 $115 $15
Distillers Dried Grains $125 $129 $4
Wet Brewers $45 $45 $0
Corn Silage $39 $38 -$1
Soybean Meal 48% $290 $289 -$1
Shelled Corn $134 $130 -$4
Corn Stover $72 $59 -$13
Good Quality Hay $172 $150 -$22
Molasses $195 $156 -$39
BEEF Cow Feed Values 12.20.2014
Feed Values Differ Among Species
Analyses on 12.20.2015 using FeedVal 6.0 and Midwestern prices on that date. URL: http://dairymanagement.wisc.edu/tools/feedval_12_v2/index.php
Feed Characteristics and concerns
Commercial pellets Easy storage, several byproducts, feed label
Distillers grains dried Easy storage, high nutrition, small quantities?
Average quality grass hay Good for maintenance in ruminants and horses
Food processing residuals Wet, highly digestible in ruminants, storage?
Spent produce Wet, highly digestible, may be organic, storage?
Soybean hulls Easy storage, good for ruminants, small quantities?
