FBA Issue 34: September / October 2010

 

 

 

Like any novel, ascending alternative feed, the efficiency of DDGS as a corn substitute is being subjected to much scrutiny. At the same time, its importance cannot be denied in an era of rising corn shortages. For this reason, the US Grains Council (USGC) toured Southeast Asian countries to explain its benefits. In Manila, led by Dr. Amy Batal, associate professor of poultry nutrition from the University of Georgia and Dr. Budi Tangendjaja, an Indonesian poultry and feedmill expert and technical consultant for USGC, the value and quality advantages of DDGS to animal nutrition, particularly poultry, was presented to local industry players.

 

According to Dr. Batal, DDGS's nutrient composition (moisture, crude protein, sodium, fat and fibre), nutrient digestibility (especially with lysine) and soluble energy have always been steady. For broiler diets, Dr. Batal recommends 6% to 9% inclusion rates during the starter period and 12% to 15% during the grower and finisher periods. If diets are formulated on a digestible amino acid basis, she says higher levels can be used for stronger energy levels.

 

With regards to meat quality, Dr. Batal says feedings up to 24% DDGS do not affect meat quality or consumer preference. However, she said meat from birds fed 8% DDGS or higher has elevated linoleic acid and total polyunsaturated fatty acid levels. Hence, DDGS-fed birds may be more susceptible to oxidation.

 

For layer hens, Dr. Batal reccomended a 10% inclusion rate during peak production and 15% inclusion rates after approximately 36 weeks of age. Levels greater than 20% however, may reduce egg weight due to amino acid ratios. Nonetheless, higher levels may be used if diets are mixed on a digestible amino acid basis to adjust energy requirements for the birds.

 

For eggs, DDGS has also been proven to make the yolk darker or redder. Since xantophyll or the yellow colour in eggs has been the basis for quality, a 25-45 milligram per kilogramme (mg/kg) DDGS mixed with corn gluten meal is shown to give yolk pigmentation a richer, darker colour.

In the United States, Dr. Batal shares that it is a common practice to include 12% DDGS in laying hen diets but these are mainly based on the crude protein of the diet, not a set inclusion level. 

 

To use DDGS, Dr. Batal says a poultry farmer requires current analytical information to adjust poultry rations, particularly with respect to optimising amino acid digestibility (lysine, cysteine and methionine). The farmers should also consider using higher metabolisable energy value than currently recommended to maximize DDGS' nutritional benefits.

 

Overall, Dr. Batal concludes DDGS inclusion will enable a poultry producer to save US$3 to US$5 per tonne of overhead costs at current feed ingredient prices.  Moreover, the economical values of DDGS such as providing more energy source, protein, higher digestibility of amino acids as well as of phosphorous release will surely give producers big advantage.

 

It was also shared that research into alternative DDGS feedstocks is already under way. Since corn has been excessively in demand by both the feed and fuel sectors, research is underway to produce DDGS from other sources such as duckweed, camelina and algae meal.

 

With regards to mycotoxin content in DDGS, Dr. Budi Tangendjaja said that fungi can grow during the planting and storage of corn, which can be the source for feed pathogens. He explained how various mycotoxins can impact DDGS including aflatoxin, fumonisin and zearalenone. 

 

He stressed the importance of farmers asking suppliers if their DDGS is being tested regularly for mycotoxins. This is far easier with American DDGS, which has traceability systems and has standardised to feed requirements, than Asian supplies. Dr. Tangendjaja strongly recommends a measurement of mycotoxin level for every ingredient entering the poultry farm/feed manufacturing facility.

 

The effect of antibiotics on DDGS was also addressed. Though ethanol producers use antimicrobials such as virginiamycin and penicillin to increase ethanol yields by 25%, Dr. Batal says that these are destroyed at temperatures less than 93°C. In recent tested samples, there have been no residues found in DDGS.

 

Currently, the Philippines is fourth largest importer of DDGS in Southeast Asia. Imports of DDGS are growing rapidly in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Given the excellent nutritional profile of this alternative feed, it will not be long before DDGS becomes a standard component of ASEAN livestock diets.