September 30, 2008

ISU researches new generation of DDGS

The study finds that newer-generation DDGS products have a higher optimal inclusion rate, reaching the maximum allowable rate of 20 percent for swine.

When traditional DDGS is introduced in a feed ration, total feed cost declines by 2.64 percent, or a reduction of US$0.29 per cwt of feed. This translates into a US$2.17 per head savings in feed cost in a feeder-to-finish operation.

Using newer-generation DDGS reduces feed cost by 9.88 percent, or a reduction of US$1.08 per hundredweight of feed, saving feeder-finisher operations US$8.06 per head. This study suggests that as a substitute product, the price of DDGS will track the price of both corn and soymeal.

It also clearly points to the critical importance of DDGS product innovation to promote widespread and optimal use of DDGS as a feed ingredient, thereby alleviating the food-feed-fuel trade-off.

Iowa State University economist Jacinto Fabiosa says the use of DDGS is governed by the proportion livestock feeders use, which depends on pricing, as well as the maximum amount an animal can digest, and how much corn and soymeal can be replaced by DDGS. His analysis focuses on the latter, but evaluates the nutrient content in traditional DDGS versus the nutrient content in a new generation of DDGS called Akota Gold. The new product is priced 2.11 percent above the traditional DDGS.

The benefit of the new generation DDGS has 39.9 percent higher metabolizable energy, 5.7 percent more crude protein, and 19-58 percent higher specific amino acids, which are more digestible than in the traditional DDGS product compared to a corn-soymeal ration for hogs.

Use of the new generation DDGS product, which was included in the swine ration at a maximum 20 percent rate, would replace 18.54 pounds of corn and 4.59 pounds of soymeal in a 100-pound feed ration. There is a surplus of the amino acid threonine and available phosphorus, but a need for added lysine.