Ethanol
DDGS
DDGS (Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles)
DDGS, a coproduct of ethanol production, is a high-nutrient feed valued by the livestock industry. Ethanol plants use only the starch from corn and grain sorghum, leaving behind protein, fiber, and oil—key components of livestock feed known as dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS).
One-third of the grain used in ethanol production becomes DDGS. Each bushel of grain used in ethanol production yields:
- 2.7 gallons of ethanol
- 18 pounds of DDGS
- 18 pounds of carbon dioxide
DDGS Qualities:
- Rich in cereal and residual yeast proteins, energy, minerals, and vitamins.
- An excellent digestible protein and energy source for beef cattle.
- Can comprise 20-30% of the ration dry matter (DM).
- Usable in turkey and swine feed applications.
- Valuable for both feedlot and dairy cattle; over 80% of DDGS in North America is used in ruminant diets.
- Increasing use in poultry and pork diets due to recent research demonstrating its nutritional benefits.
Typical DDGS Analysis
| Item | DM (Dry Matter) | As Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Matter % | 100 | 89 |
| Crude Protein % | 30.71 | 27.3 |
| TDN (%) | 77.83 | 69.19 |
| NEL (mcal/cwt) | 81.02 | 72.02 |
| NEM (mcal/cwt) | 87.88 | 75.46 |
| NEG (mcal/cwt) | 55.83 | 72.02 |
| NFC (%) | 18.06 | 16.05 |
| ADF (%) | 15.62 | 13.88 |
| NDF (%) | 33.25 | 29.56 |
| Fat (%) | 13.39 | 11.90 |
| Calcium | 0.06 | 0.05 |
| Phosphorus (%) | 0.94 | 0.83 |
