High-protein distillers grains offer alternative for pigs

According to researchers at the University of Illinois, results have shown that high-protein distillers dried grains can replace 100% of the soymeal in finishing pigs' diet without any effect on growth performance or carcass characteristics.

High-protein distillers dried grains are produced through a fractionation technology. In this process, bran and germ are removed from the corn, resulting in endosperm that is used for ethanol production. The co-product that results is high-protein distillers dried grains, which contains between 41-45% crude protein. It contains more protein, but less fat and less fibre, than conventional distillers dried grains with solubles.

Results of the research showed that replacing soymeal with high-protein distillers dried grains had no effect on average daily gain, average daily feed intake or feed conversion. It also revealed that high-protein distillers dried grains contain more digestible energy than corn.

Researchers said, "When 70% of a swine producer's variable cost is attributed to feed, it is important to let producers know they have options. In this case, we can let economics decide which option is best. If corn and soymeal are expensive, high-protein distillers dried grains may help lower feed costs."

The research team included Beob Kim and Grant Petersen of the University of Illinois, and Gary Allee and Buddy Hinson of the University of Missouri.