Ethanol Blog

When grinding feed, cattle producers should make sure they are using the correct grain processing to get achieve the best digestion and utilization of grain, according to an article by Midwest Producer (http://bit.ly/…).

While nutritionists have long believed that a coarse crack would adequately achieve digestion without risking bloat and acidosis, some now suggest that corn utilization can be increased between 4 and 5% by using a fine grind. Wet corn distillers grains can help achieve that in a finishing diet, usually at a value to corn and are included anywhere between 20% and 60% of the dry matter in rations.

The fine particles of dry distillers grains sometime sift through rations and fall to the bottom of the bunk and carry a risk of bloat. However, the higher moisture content in co-products helps the particles remain mixed and reduces risk of bloat.

A particle size that is less than 3 mm in size is recommended to maximize ruminal and total tract utilization of starch and to increase feed efficiency. Producers can have processed grain sample analyzed for particle size.

Cheryl Anderson can be reached at Cheryl.anderson@telventdtn.com.

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