By LAURIE KIEFABER
Indiana Correspondent ROSSVILLE, Ind. — Some hog farmers have already experimented with using Dried Distillers Grains with Soluables or DDGS in feed, but results can be good or bad depending on the quantity and when they are fed various amounts.
Brian T. Richert, associate professor and swine extension specialist at Purdue University, gave his best estimates for now based on numerous studies and his own research at the Central Indiana Pork Conference at Rossville High School Feb. 23. Approximately 30 farmers, ag instructors and others attended the conference, which also covered the fertilizer applicator certification rule, Indiana Certified Livestock Producer Program and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome or PRRS control programs.
“The percentage (of DDGS used) is farm dependent,” Richert said. “Every farm will respond a little different.”
Richert said using DDGS in feed are supposed to save farmers money and increase nutrition for hogs. DDGS are a coproduct of the ethanol production process, according to the Kansas Ethanol website. One third of the grain going into ethanol production comes out as DDGS, which includes protein, fiber and oil and is rich in energy, minerals and vitamins.
However, there are other variables to think about when feeding swine DDGS, Richert said. Corn prices will affect overall production costs.
“Corn has been $7 per bushel for the last few years, but Purdue and several producers have locked in a price of $4.70 per bushel,” Richert said. “(Those figuring $4.70 per bushel) have a different situation than those at $7 per bushel.”
In addition, hogs consuming DDGS tend to have more nitrogen and phosphorus in their waste, which also can affect land use and other matters.
“How many of you have heard of barns blowing up in Iowa and Minnesota?” Richert asked.
This phenomenon has been somewhat sporadic, Richert said, as some barns with hogs being fed a 40 percent DDGS diet blew up while the next one over with the same conditions did not.
“The feeding strategy is complex,” he said. “Also, how do you turn your barns?”
Odor is a factor to consider. Richert mentioned a Purdue DDGS study with 112 pigs which had a “high odor.” When half the pigs were pulled off DDGS, those nearby thought the study was over because of the reduced smell.
“The VFAs (volatile fatty acids from using DDGS) can make it smell like cattle,” he said. “You may have to put in biofilters to handle the odor.”
Genetics also play into DDGS use, Richert said. “A high-feed pig can take more (DDGS in their feed),” Richert said. “... Heavy pigs will always eat no matter what you feed them. Lighter pigs take more of a hit (in weight gain).”
Using DDGS also will create heavier feed and producers may need to make more frequent batches, Richert said. This could affect transportation costs.
Richert mentioned various studies done by universities and companies - one of which found no effect on pigs when using a 30 percent DDGS diet. Some studies found using DDGS decreased mortality in litters.
Another study added molasses to DDGS.
“Most pigs don’t like distillers, but (adding molasses) did improve feed intake but further (reduced) weight gain,” Richert said.
One study adding sodium bicarbonate to DDGS showed no improvement in weight gain. Another study showed hogs could be fed a 60 percent DDGS diet “if you yank them out (of this diet) at the right time,” Richert said.
Another study looked at feeding hogs 40 percent DDGS, finding this amount of DDGS decreased carcass weight by 19.5 pounds over a 69-day feeding period. Added beef tallow, palm oil, coconut or stearic fat could not restore the growth, though.
A University of Minnesota study on sows was a little different.
“Sows didn’t eat (feed mixed with DDGS) after they started lactating,” he said. “If you start them at gestation (about 50 percent DDGS), they will eat it slower and pick at it (but ultimately finish it).”
In the same study, researchers fed hogs a 20 percent DDGS diet during lactation.
The amount of distillers or DDGS also can affect the end product, Richert said. For example, brats made from hogs who were fed lots of distillers “will go bad in five days in the fridge.”
In general, Richert recommended using DDGS with some moderation and reducing use toward the end of the hog’s growth. See table below.
To help evaluate DDGS feed costs and benefits, Richert said there is a helpful Microsoft Excel calculator tool found on the Kansas State University or K-State website. Producers can simply plug in the costs for corn, SBM, monocal, limestone, lysine and DDGS and the approximate savings per pig will be figured.
Purdue also has a calculator to download, which Richert said is “more challenging” but will allow farmers to customize diets.
Dave Murray, vice president of livestock procurement for Indiana Packers in Delphi, said he is not a proponent of using DDGS at this time. Murray’s talk at the conference was on the “State of the Industry,” but he commented briefly on DDGS use during his question/answer session.
“Meat quality was better last year because DDGS were not being used,” he said. “Initially when (the idea of using DDGS as feed) came out, people were not sure how to handle it. ... We ran trials to see what the impact would be on the carcass (especially the belly).
“That belly (on DDGS) looks oily and watery.”
Murray did say nutrition companies had done a lot of work in this area and company officials were trying to use their data.
“We have to understand how to manage it,” he said. “... Last year the consensus was pork quality was good, but with limited DDGS.”
After the presentation, at least one attendee had mixed feelings on using DDGS.
“We’ve not been feeding DDGS,” said Jim Michalke of Lebanon. “I’m not sure if we’ll try it. A lot will depend on how much we have to invest in tanks and augers to handle the DDGS. That could be $10,000 to $15,000.”
Other considerations for the 200-sow farrow-to-finish producer include the cost to haul DDGS from the plant and manure phosphorus content.
Erle Lockhart of Walton, a member of the state pork producer board, said the presentation on DDGS “mainly got my attention.” |
