This study assessed the value of triticale dried distillers grains with solubles(DDGS) in a feedlot finishing diet using 144 intact, and 16 ruminally cannulated crossbred yearling steers. Substituting triticale DDGS for a portion of dry-rolled barley grain (20% diet DM) decreased the prevalence of ruminal acidosis and tended to increase dry matter intake and fat deposition, but increased the incidence and severity of liver abscesses. Further substitution of triticale DDGS for barley silage (5 and 10% diet DM) increased the prevalence of ruminal acidosis, but tended to improve feed efficiency without affecting carcass characteristics. These findings suggest that feedlot finishing diets containing triticale DDGS allow producers to decrease dietary forage inclusion without affecting performance, but may require use of an antimicrobial to control liver abscesses. / Animal Science

Owing to the increasing demand for alternative fuel additives, the Canadian ethanol industry has grown tremendously. In Western Canada, wheat has been the dominant feedstock for ethanol production because of steadily increasing domestic production and higher ethanol yields. Low protein and high starch wheat varieties have further increased the potential of grain-based ethanol production. As a consequence, the increased ethanol production has demonstrated an exponential increase in the availability of its co-products. Depending on the processes used, several co-products are produced, such as bran, condensed distillers solubles (CDS), and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Wheat bran is obtained as the co-product when debranning is incorporated in ethanol production. Debranning of wheat feedstock may be integrated into the ethanol production process to improve ethanol quality and yield. Debranning follows the principles of abrasion and friction. It improves the starch content of the feedstock and the fermentation efficiency of the ethanol plants. Several abrasive equipment that generate products having good quality and desirable ethanol yield are being used commercially. Among these, the Satake mill and the tangential abrasive dehulling device (TADD) are prominent, having high debranning efficiency, levels of sanitation, and improved production rates. In this thesis, the laboratory debranning process using these two equipment was optimized by varying the process variables in order to improve the ethanol production process. In the Satake mill, the sample size (30 and 200 g), rotational speed (1215, 1412, and 1515 rpm), grit size (30, 36, and 40), and retention time (30, 60, and 90 s) were varied. In the TADD mill, the sample size (30 and 200 g), grit size (30, 36, 50, and 80), and retention time (120, 180, 240, and 300 s) were varied while maintaining a constant rotational speed of 900 rpm. The experimental results indicated that in the Satake mill, 200 g sample size, 1515 rpm rotational speed, 30 grit size, and 60 s retention time provided optimal debranning and starch separation efficiency. For the TADD mill, 200 g sample size, 900 rpm rotational speed, 50 grit size, and 240 s retention time provided optimal results. Increased availability of ethanol co-products from the pretreatments and other processes brings forth the need for broadening the areas of application of these co-products. Among the various applications, the usage of the co-products as animal feed is predominant. Ethanol co-products have been traditionally incorporated as ingredients for animal feed. This thesis is aimed at combining the wheat bran and CDS in varying proportions (70:30, 80:20, and 90:10) and producing high quality animal feed pellets. Laboratory-scale pelleting was done at varying pelleting temperatures, 60, 75, and 90°C, to optimize the pelleting process. The results of laboratory-scale single pelleting indicated that 90:10 bran-CDS ratio and 90°C pelleting temperature produced pellets having good physical properties. Pilot-scale pelleting was done to verify the optimized variables, and to produce dimensionally stable and highly durable feed pellets. The results showed that 70:30 bran-CDS mixture produced pellets with high nutrient content and physical properties (760.88±2.04 kg/m3 bulk density and 97.79±0.76% durability). Similar to the single pelleting results, high pelleting temperatures (75°C) produced pellets with desirable physical properties. However, on cooling, the bulk density and durability change was the highest for 70:30 bran-CDS pellets, indicating an improvement in the physical characteristics. In conclusion, the bran and CDS, the two co-products of the ethanol industry, could be combined to produce feed pellets having good physical and nutritional properties.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementing wheat-based dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on cow performance, forage utilization, and production costs. In the first two experiments, 48 dry, pregnant Black Angus cows (mean BW±SD; 598.2±4.2 kg) stratified by body weight (BW) and days pregnant were allocated randomly to one of three replicated (n=2) treatments. Cows were managed on stockpiled crested wheatgrass pasture (TDN=49.0, CP=7.3 (% DM)) in experiment one (EXP 1) and barley straw-chaff residue (TDN=45.4, CP=8.6 (% DM)) in experiment two (EXP 2). EXP 1 supplement treatments were (1) 100% DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) 100% commercial supplement (COMM); or (3) control no supplement (CONT). EXP 2 supplement treatments were (1) 100% DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) 50% DDGS + 50% rolled barley (50:50); or (3) 100% rolled barley grain (control; BARL). Forage utilization was measured for both trials using the herbage weight disappearance method. Cow BW, body condition score (BCS), and rib and rump fat were measured at the start and end of trial and cow BW was corrected for conceptus gain based on calving data. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on forage utilization in either experiment. In EXP 1, cow performance was not affected (P > 0.05) by supplement strategy. In EXP 2, BW change was 11.3, 6.8, and -6.5 (P < 0.01) for DDGS, 50:50, and BARL, respectively. Because forage utilization was not affected, the difference in cow BW was the result of supplement type. Costs per cow per day in EXP 1 were $0.66, $0.68, and $0.60 for DDGS, COMM, and CONT, respectively. In EXP 2, costs per cow per day were $0.79, $0.80, and $0.80 for DDGS, 50:50, and BARL treatments, respectively.<p> In experiment three (EXP 3), four ruminally cannulated beef heifers were individually fed a basal ration of 75% ground barley straw and 25% ground grass hay (TDN=46.3, CP=7.5 (% DM)). Heifers were supplemented with either (1) DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) commercial range pellet (COMM); (3) barley grain and canola meal (BAR+CM); or (4) control no supplement (CONT). Forage intake, apparent total tract digestibility, and passage rate; rumen fermentation parameters; and the rate and extent of forage degradation were measured. Forage intake, passage rate, and apparent total tract digestibility of DM, NDF, and ADF were not affected (P > 0.41) by treatment. Apparent total tract digestibility of CP was increased (P = 0.02) by supplementation, but was not different between DDGS, COMM, and BAR+CM treatments. Ruminal pH was not affected (P = 0.20) by treatment diet, but rumen ammonia-N was increased (P < 0.01) by supplementation. The potentially degradable and undegradable forage fractions were affected (P < 0.02) by supplementation, reducing the extent of forage degradation. Also, there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for the rate of forage DM degradation to increase when supplements were fed. The results of these experiments indicate that wheat-based DDGS can be used as a supplement for beef cows consuming forages with similar or greater effects compared to a commercial pellet and barley grain. DDGS had similar effects on rumen metabolism as the commercial range pellet or barley grain and canola meal, suggesting DDGS can be substituted on a unit basis with these supplements. As such, the inclusion of wheat-based DDGS as a supplement for beef cows will depend on the initial price of the supplement.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementing wheat-based dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on cow performance, forage utilization, and production costs. In the first two experiments, 48 dry, pregnant Black Angus cows (mean BW±SD; 598.2±4.2 kg) stratified by body weight (BW) and days pregnant were allocated randomly to one of three replicated (n=2) treatments. Cows were managed on stockpiled crested wheatgrass pasture (TDN=49.0, CP=7.3 (% DM)) in experiment one (EXP 1) and barley straw-chaff residue (TDN=45.4, CP=8.6 (% DM)) in experiment two (EXP 2). EXP 1 supplement treatments were (1) 100% DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) 100% commercial supplement (COMM); or (3) control no supplement (CONT). EXP 2 supplement treatments were (1) 100% DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) 50% DDGS + 50% rolled barley (50:50); or (3) 100% rolled barley grain (control; BARL). Forage utilization was measured for both trials using the herbage weight disappearance method. Cow BW, body condition score (BCS), and rib and rump fat were measured at the start and end of trial and cow BW was corrected for conceptus gain based on calving data. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on forage utilization in either experiment. In EXP 1, cow performance was not affected (P > 0.05) by supplement strategy. In EXP 2, BW change was 11.3, 6.8, and -6.5 (P < 0.01) for DDGS, 50:50, and BARL, respectively. Because forage utilization was not affected, the difference in cow BW was the result of supplement type. Costs per cow per day in EXP 1 were $0.66, $0.68, and $0.60 for DDGS, COMM, and CONT, respectively. In EXP 2, costs per cow per day were $0.79, $0.80, and $0.80 for DDGS, 50:50, and BARL treatments, respectively.<p> In experiment three (EXP 3), four ruminally cannulated beef heifers were individually fed a basal ration of 75% ground barley straw and 25% ground grass hay (TDN=46.3, CP=7.5 (% DM)). Heifers were supplemented with either (1) DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) commercial range pellet (COMM); (3) barley grain and canola meal (BAR+CM); or (4) control no supplement (CONT). Forage intake, apparent total tract digestibility, and passage rate; rumen fermentation parameters; and the rate and extent of forage degradation were measured. Forage intake, passage rate, and apparent total tract digestibility of DM, NDF, and ADF were not affected (P > 0.41) by treatment. Apparent total tract digestibility of CP was increased (P = 0.02) by supplementation, but was not different between DDGS, COMM, and BAR+CM treatments. Ruminal pH was not affected (P = 0.20) by treatment diet, but rumen ammonia-N was increased (P < 0.01) by supplementation. The potentially degradable and undegradable forage fractions were affected (P < 0.02) by supplementation, reducing the extent of forage degradation. Also, there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for the rate of forage DM degradation to increase when supplements were fed. The results of these experiments indicate that wheat-based DDGS can be used as a supplement for beef cows consuming forages with similar or greater effects compared to a commercial pellet and barley grain. DDGS had similar effects on rumen metabolism as the commercial range pellet or barley grain and canola meal, suggesting DDGS can be substituted on a unit basis with these supplements. As such, the inclusion of wheat-based DDGS as a supplement for beef cows will depend on the initial price of the supplement.

Based on ongoing research, the poultry industry is utilizing increasingly more wheat distillers dried grains with solubles (wDDGS) as a feed ingredient. High fiber in wDDGS is a major factor contributing to reduced nutrient intake and digestion of nutrients in the diet. Hence, the research conducted looks at emerging technologies (e.g., enzymes and/or feed processes (extrusion) and/or wet feeding) to overcome the limitations in diets containing higher levels of WDDGS. The dietary treatments were evaluated by monitoring turkey performance and utilization of the nutrients. All dietary treatments in the respective experiments were formulated to meet or exceed the nutrient requirement of the Hybrid Converter turkey standards. With the exception of experiment 2 (0-72d) test diets were fed from 7-21d. In Experiment 1, 0 and 30% wDDGS diets were supplemented with protease (P+; 0.126 g/kg) or β-mannanase (M+; 0.05g/kg); further, diets containing 0, 10, 20 and 30% wDDGS with no enzyme were compared. A positive (P<0.05) main effect of 30% was reported for 21d body weight (BW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). A significant main effect [21d apparent metabolizable energy (AME); 30%] and interactions [(enzymes x levels (0 and 30%); 21d AME and nitrogen retention (NR)] were found. A quadratic (P<0.01) response was found for FCR, that was superior for 30%. A quadratic (P<0.01) response was also found for both NR and AME; both were highest for 10% wDDGS diets. In Experiment 2, diets containing 0, 15 and 30% wDDGS with no enzyme were compared; further, the 30% wDDGS diet was supplemented with enzymes (protease or β-mannanase). Water intake per pen was monitored beginning at 7 d. There was no effect of dietary treatment on overall feed intake (FI) and body weight (BW). Total feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P<0.05; 0-72d) was significantly improved for birds fed 30% wDDGS regardless of enzyme treatment compared other dietary treatments. There were trends for higher water intake (mL/b/d) with 30%P+ diets as compared to the other diets. The higher water intake may be a factor of the higher fiber in this diet, but it was exacerbated by only the protease enzyme. Experiment 3 evaluated the effect of extrusion (EX) and an enzyme cocktail (E; 0.5g/kg) on wDDGS. Diets containing 0, 15 and 30% wDDGS with/without enzyme were tested; further, the 15 and 30% wDDGS with/without EX and E were compared. There was no effect of EX or E on BW and FI. Feeding higher WDDGS (30%) depressed performance, but an improved NR and AME was recorded. In Experiment 4, a small study was conducted to evaluate if wet feeding (WF; 1.2 mL water: 1.0 g feed) of diets with 30% wDDGS would impact turkey poult performance. The WF significantly improved BW, FI and FCR. It is apparent from these studies that high levels of WDDGS were not detrimental to overall performance. The high levels of wDDGS with no loss of production would result in a higher demand of wDDGS for use in turkey diets. Overall, we saw no improvements in performance with individual supplementation of protease, β-mannanase or an enzyme cocktail. Neither was extrusion of wDDGS beneficial. Voluntary feed consumption is improved when diets are wetted before feeding.

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A study was conducted to examine the impact of diet and cold weather on the excretion of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from beef cows, and the potential for these nutrients to be lost to waterways or as greenhouse gases (GHG). Feces and urine were collected from mature cows fed low-quality forage supplemented with DDGS to 0%, 10%, and 20% ww-1 in the fall of 2008 and winter of 2009. A detailed nutrient analysis was performed to determine forms of N and fractions of P in excreta. Feces, urine, and a simulated bedding pack were then applied to grassland to determine soil GHG emission. Cattle receiving DDGS supplementation excreted greater proportions of labile P in feces and greater concentrations of P in urine. The 20% DDGS diets had greater nitrous oxide emission from urine patches and greater proportions of available N in urine and feces.

Superheated steam (SS) drying of distillers’ spent grain (DSG) is a more energy efficient alternative to conventional hot air drying. SS drying at sub-atmospheric pressure (also referred to as low pressure) can prevent burning and lowering the quality of the food product. The objective of this study was to design, fabricate, and test a SS drying system that could operate at sub-atmospheric pressure for drying DSG. After the custom designed system was constructed, major problems associated with the system were identified. A number of tests were carried out and modifications were made to the system to resolve technical problems. Distillers’ spent grain was then successfully dried using the system under various levels of temperature from 95 to 115°C and pressure of either -25 or -20 kPa, with a SS velocity from 0.100 to 0.289 m/s.