Bio fuels are made from an extensive selection of fuels derived from biomass, including wood waste, agricultural wastes, and alcohol fuels. As a result of increased energy requirements, raised oil prices, and concern over greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, bio fuels are acquiring increased public and scientific attention. The ethanol industry is booming and during the past several years, there has been an increase in demand for fuel ethanol and use of its co-products. To increase potential revenues from ethanol processing and its utilization, extensive research is proceeding in this field. In Western Canada, wheat is the primary raw material used in the production of ethanol by fermentation and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are one of the major co-products produced during this process. At present, the DDGS are generally sold as animal feed stock but with some alteration they could be used in other useful areas.<p> Densification of biomass and use of it for fuel like wood pellets, hay briquettes, etc. have been studied for many years and have also been commercialized. In this thesis, pellets made from distillers dried grains have been investigated. DDGS were obtained from Noramera Bioenergy Corp. and Terra Grain Fuels Ltd. Before transforming them into pellets, they were characterized on the basis of physical and chemical properties. A California pilot-scale mill (with and without steam conditioning) was used for pelleting the distillers grains with solubles.<p> A full factorial design with two levels of moisture content (i.e., 14 and 15.5% (w.b.)), hammer mill screen size (i.e., 3.2 and 4.8 mm) and temperature (i.e., 90 and 100°C) was used to determine the effects of these three factors on the pellet properties made from Noramera Bioenergy Corp., without steam conditioning. Different levels of moisture content were used for the pellets made from Terra Grain Fuels Ltd. (i.e., 11.5 and 13.09% (w.b.)), with steam conditioning. The initial moisture contents of the DDGS were 12.5 and 13.75% (w.b.) from Noramera and Terra Grain, respectively. The moisture content of DDGS grinds ranged from 11.6 to 12.03% (w.b.) for the Noramera samples, and from 11.5 to 13.09% (w.b.) for Terra Grain DDGS. The moisture content decreased with a decrease in the hammer mill screen size.<p> The use of a smaller screen size achieved an increase in both the bulk and particle densities of the DDGS. The coefficient of internal friction was almost the same for both samples but cohesion was higher in Noramera samples (8.534 kPa). The DDGS obtained from Noramera Bioenergy Corp. contained dry matter (91.40%), crude fibre (4.98%), crude protein (37.41%), cellulose (10.75%), hemi-cellulose (21.04%), lignin (10.50%), starch (3.84%), fat (4.52%) and ash (5.16%); whereas the samples obtained from Terra Grain Fuels contained dry matter (87.69%), crude fibre (7.33%), crude protein (32.43%), cellulose (10.81%), hemi-cellulose (27.45%), lignin (4.37%), starch (4.18%), fat (6.37%) and ash (4.50%).<p> The combustion energy of the Noramera samples was 19.45 MJ/kg at a moisture content of 8.6% (w.b.) whereas the combustion energy of Terra Grain samples was 18.54 MJ/kg at 12.31% (w.b.) moisture content.<p> The durability of the pellets increased as the screen size decreased which is likely due to the fact that a smaller screen size produces more fine particles. This fill voids in the pellets and, hence, makes them more durable.<p> The length of the pellets produced from Noramera DDGS increased with a decrease in moisture content possibly because pellets formed at higher moisture content absorb less moisture. Therefore, the length does not increase as much. Lateral expansion occurred most with higher temperature and lower moisture content and with lower temperature and higher moisture content. The length to diameter ratio of the pellets followed the same trend as the change in pellet length. The length of the pellets produced from Terra Grain also increased with a decrease in moisture content. The lateral expansion increased with increase in screen size and moisture content and also, with decrease in moisture content and increase in temperature. The length to diameter ratio increased with decrease in screen size and moisture content, similar to the change in pellet length. The highest bulk density of Noramera pellets resulted from smaller screen size and lower moisture. The particle density increased with a decrease in screen size and an increase in moisture content. The highest bulk density of Terra Grain pellets occurred with an increase in temperature and decrease in moisture content. The highest particle density occurred with an increase in temperature and decrease in screen size.<p> The pellet hardness increased with a decrease in moisture content and screen size did not have any significant effect. The Terra Grain pellets were harder because they were subjected to steam conditioning. Steam conditioning helps to increase the hardness.<p> The pellet durability increased with a decrease in screen size and increase in moisture content. The steam conditioning also caused the higher durability in the Terra Grain pellets. In terms of moisture absorption, the only significant factor was moisture content. Pellets with lower moisture content absorbed more moisture.<p> The ash content values of pellets were higher in Noramera samples than in Terra Grain samples because of high moisture content in Noramera samples. The combustion energy of the Noramera pellets was higher than the Terra Grain pellets because of the high percentage of dry matter and lignin present in Noramera samples. The emission results for both the sample pellets were similar. When the DDGS pellets were compared to wood pellets, emission of nitrous oxide was lower for wood whereas, carbon dioxide was higher.

The main objective of this project was to investigate the effects of the type of dried distillers grains with solubles (wheat DDGS, corn DDGS, and blend DDGS (eg. wheat:corn = 70:30)) and bio-ethanol plant origin on the nutrient variation and availability in ruminants. In addition, DDGS products were studied as opposed to their parental grains. The project was divided into the several following studies. In Study 1, we studied the nutritive value of DDGS products in terms of (1) chemical profiles, (2) protein and carbohydrate sub-fractions associated with different degradation rates, and (3) digestible component nutrients and energy values using the NRC 2001-chemical approach and the in situ assay-biological approach. Also, we tested the validity of acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) to predict the potential degradability of DDGS. Due to starch fermentation in the ethanol process, the chemical components in DDGS became approximately threefold more concentrated than in feedstock grains. Slowly degraded protein (PB3) and unavailable protein (PC) increased in DDGS, indicating a decrease in the overall protein degradability in the rumen. Intermediately degraded protein (PB2) was higher for corn DDGS than for wheat DDGS and blend DDGS (54.2 vs. 27.7 vs. 30.8 %CP), while PB3 was higher for wheat DDGS and blend DDGS (29.9 vs. 51.2 vs. 53.2 %CP). Mainly as a result of differing heat conditions, PC differed significantly between wheat DDGS originated at different bio-ethanol plants (0.7 vs. 7.6 %CP). The prediction of truly digestible CP (tdCP) and NDF (tdNDF) differed between the NRC 2001-chemical approach and the in situ assay-biological approach; however, both approaches reported similar energy values. These values were the highest for corn DDGS (DE3X: 3.9 Mcal kg-1), followed by blend DDGS (DE3X: 3.6 Mcal kg-1), and wheat DDGS (DE3X: 3.4 Mcal kg-1). Corn DDGS was superior to corn, wheat DDGS was similar to wheat and corn, and blend DDGS was similar to corn. No significant differences in energy values were reported between bio-ethanol plants. ADICP was not an accurate indicator of the potential degradability of protein in DDGS samples, while ADL seemed to be an acceptable indicator of the potential degradability of DM (r = -0.87; P<0.01), CP (r = -0.89; P<0.01), and NDF (r = -0.82; P<0.01) in wheat DDGS samples incubated in rumen during 48 h.<p> In Study 2, we studied the ruminal and intestinal digestion profiles and the hourly effective rumen degradation ratios between nitrogen (N) and energy. The results showed a reduction in the effective degradability of DM (EDDM), OM (EDOM) and CP (EDCP) of wheat DDGS relative to wheat; however, corn DDGS remained the same as corn. The effective degradability of NDF (EDNDF) did not vary between the DDGS samples and feedstock grains. Among DDGS types, EDDM ranged from 52.4 to 57.7 %, EDOM from 46.4 to 53.5 %DM, and EDCP from 34.0 to 45.6 %CP, being higher as the proportion of wheat in feedstock increased. No significant differences in EDDM, EDOM, EDCP and EDNDF for wheat DDGS were detected between the different bio-ethanol plants. The hourly effective degradability ratios between N and energy indicated a potential excess of N in rumen when DDGS samples were evaluated as single ingredient. This excess increased as the proportion of wheat in feedstock increased. Estimated intestinal digestibility of rumen bypass protein (IDP) was similar between wheat and wheat DDGS, but higher in corn DDGS than in corn. Blend DDGS had the highest IDP (93.9 %RUP). Due to the significantly different PC sub-fraction found in wheat DDGS originated at the different bio-ethanol plants, a large but numerical difference was detected in IDP (89.4 vs. 75.9 %RUP).<p> In Study 3, we used both the DVE/OEB System and the NRC 2001 Model to reveal the metabolic characteristics of DDGS protein and predict the protein supply to dairy cattle. The two models showed higher protein values (DVE or MP) for DDGS samples than for feedstock grains. The higher IDP for blend DDGS largely contributed to the higher protein value relative to wheat DDGS and corn DDGS (MP: 277 vs. 242 vs. 250 g kg-1 DM). Similarly, protein values differed significantly between the bio-ethanol plants mainly as a result of the numerical but large difference in IDP (MP: 272 vs. 223 g kg-1 DM). According to the two models, the degraded protein balance for DDGS products was higher than in the parental grains. Wheat DDGS showed the highest potential N excess (DBPNRC: 78 g kg-1 DM). For corn DDGS, however, the DVE/OEB System suggested a potential N excess (11 g kg-1 DM) while the NRC 2001 Model exhibited a potential N deficiency (-12 g kg-1 DM). The degraded protein balance for wheat DDGS was similar between the different bio-ethanol plants.<p> In conclusion, the chemical and biological characteristics of DDGS varied among types and between wheat DDGS samples manufactured at the different bio-ethanol plants. Thus, it is inappropriate to assume fixed values for the nutritive value of DDGS without considering factors such as type of grain used and bio-ethanol plant origin. Further research with higher number of samples will help to clarify the use of the chemical profile to predict energy values and the potential degradability of DDGS.

Bio fuels are made from an extensive selection of fuels derived from biomass, including wood waste, agricultural wastes, and alcohol fuels. As a result of increased energy requirements, raised oil prices, and concern over greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, bio fuels are acquiring increased public and scientific attention. The ethanol industry is booming and during the past several years, there has been an increase in demand for fuel ethanol and use of its co-products. To increase potential revenues from ethanol processing and its utilization, extensive research is proceeding in this field. In Western Canada, wheat is the primary raw material used in the production of ethanol by fermentation and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are one of the major co-products produced during this process. At present, the DDGS are generally sold as animal feed stock but with some alteration they could be used in other useful areas.<p> Densification of biomass and use of it for fuel like wood pellets, hay briquettes, etc. have been studied for many years and have also been commercialized. In this thesis, pellets made from distillers dried grains have been investigated. DDGS were obtained from Noramera Bioenergy Corp. and Terra Grain Fuels Ltd. Before transforming them into pellets, they were characterized on the basis of physical and chemical properties. A California pilot-scale mill (with and without steam conditioning) was used for pelleting the distillers grains with solubles.<p> A full factorial design with two levels of moisture content (i.e., 14 and 15.5% (w.b.)), hammer mill screen size (i.e., 3.2 and 4.8 mm) and temperature (i.e., 90 and 100°C) was used to determine the effects of these three factors on the pellet properties made from Noramera Bioenergy Corp., without steam conditioning. Different levels of moisture content were used for the pellets made from Terra Grain Fuels Ltd. (i.e., 11.5 and 13.09% (w.b.)), with steam conditioning. The initial moisture contents of the DDGS were 12.5 and 13.75% (w.b.) from Noramera and Terra Grain, respectively. The moisture content of DDGS grinds ranged from 11.6 to 12.03% (w.b.) for the Noramera samples, and from 11.5 to 13.09% (w.b.) for Terra Grain DDGS. The moisture content decreased with a decrease in the hammer mill screen size.<p> The use of a smaller screen size achieved an increase in both the bulk and particle densities of the DDGS. The coefficient of internal friction was almost the same for both samples but cohesion was higher in Noramera samples (8.534 kPa). The DDGS obtained from Noramera Bioenergy Corp. contained dry matter (91.40%), crude fibre (4.98%), crude protein (37.41%), cellulose (10.75%), hemi-cellulose (21.04%), lignin (10.50%), starch (3.84%), fat (4.52%) and ash (5.16%); whereas the samples obtained from Terra Grain Fuels contained dry matter (87.69%), crude fibre (7.33%), crude protein (32.43%), cellulose (10.81%), hemi-cellulose (27.45%), lignin (4.37%), starch (4.18%), fat (6.37%) and ash (4.50%).<p> The combustion energy of the Noramera samples was 19.45 MJ/kg at a moisture content of 8.6% (w.b.) whereas the combustion energy of Terra Grain samples was 18.54 MJ/kg at 12.31% (w.b.) moisture content.<p> The durability of the pellets increased as the screen size decreased which is likely due to the fact that a smaller screen size produces more fine particles. This fill voids in the pellets and, hence, makes them more durable.<p> The length of the pellets produced from Noramera DDGS increased with a decrease in moisture content possibly because pellets formed at higher moisture content absorb less moisture. Therefore, the length does not increase as much. Lateral expansion occurred most with higher temperature and lower moisture content and with lower temperature and higher moisture content. The length to diameter ratio of the pellets followed the same trend as the change in pellet length. The length of the pellets produced from Terra Grain also increased with a decrease in moisture content. The lateral expansion increased with increase in screen size and moisture content and also, with decrease in moisture content and increase in temperature. The length to diameter ratio increased with decrease in screen size and moisture content, similar to the change in pellet length. The highest bulk density of Noramera pellets resulted from smaller screen size and lower moisture. The particle density increased with a decrease in screen size and an increase in moisture content. The highest bulk density of Terra Grain pellets occurred with an increase in temperature and decrease in moisture content. The highest particle density occurred with an increase in temperature and decrease in screen size.<p> The pellet hardness increased with a decrease in moisture content and screen size did not have any significant effect. The Terra Grain pellets were harder because they were subjected to steam conditioning. Steam conditioning helps to increase the hardness.<p> The pellet durability increased with a decrease in screen size and increase in moisture content. The steam conditioning also caused the higher durability in the Terra Grain pellets. In terms of moisture absorption, the only significant factor was moisture content. Pellets with lower moisture content absorbed more moisture.<p> The ash content values of pellets were higher in Noramera samples than in Terra Grain samples because of high moisture content in Noramera samples. The combustion energy of the Noramera pellets was higher than the Terra Grain pellets because of the high percentage of dry matter and lignin present in Noramera samples. The emission results for both the sample pellets were similar. When the DDGS pellets were compared to wood pellets, emission of nitrous oxide was lower for wood whereas, carbon dioxide was higher.

The main objective of this project was to investigate the effects of the type of dried distillers grains with solubles (wheat DDGS, corn DDGS, and blend DDGS (eg. wheat:corn = 70:30)) and bio-ethanol plant origin on the nutrient variation and availability in ruminants. In addition, DDGS products were studied as opposed to their parental grains. The project was divided into the several following studies. In Study 1, we studied the nutritive value of DDGS products in terms of (1) chemical profiles, (2) protein and carbohydrate sub-fractions associated with different degradation rates, and (3) digestible component nutrients and energy values using the NRC 2001-chemical approach and the in situ assay-biological approach. Also, we tested the validity of acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) to predict the potential degradability of DDGS. Due to starch fermentation in the ethanol process, the chemical components in DDGS became approximately threefold more concentrated than in feedstock grains. Slowly degraded protein (PB3) and unavailable protein (PC) increased in DDGS, indicating a decrease in the overall protein degradability in the rumen. Intermediately degraded protein (PB2) was higher for corn DDGS than for wheat DDGS and blend DDGS (54.2 vs. 27.7 vs. 30.8 %CP), while PB3 was higher for wheat DDGS and blend DDGS (29.9 vs. 51.2 vs. 53.2 %CP). Mainly as a result of differing heat conditions, PC differed significantly between wheat DDGS originated at different bio-ethanol plants (0.7 vs. 7.6 %CP). The prediction of truly digestible CP (tdCP) and NDF (tdNDF) differed between the NRC 2001-chemical approach and the in situ assay-biological approach; however, both approaches reported similar energy values. These values were the highest for corn DDGS (DE3X: 3.9 Mcal kg-1), followed by blend DDGS (DE3X: 3.6 Mcal kg-1), and wheat DDGS (DE3X: 3.4 Mcal kg-1). Corn DDGS was superior to corn, wheat DDGS was similar to wheat and corn, and blend DDGS was similar to corn. No significant differences in energy values were reported between bio-ethanol plants. ADICP was not an accurate indicator of the potential degradability of protein in DDGS samples, while ADL seemed to be an acceptable indicator of the potential degradability of DM (r = -0.87; P<0.01), CP (r = -0.89; P<0.01), and NDF (r = -0.82; P<0.01) in wheat DDGS samples incubated in rumen during 48 h.<p> In Study 2, we studied the ruminal and intestinal digestion profiles and the hourly effective rumen degradation ratios between nitrogen (N) and energy. The results showed a reduction in the effective degradability of DM (EDDM), OM (EDOM) and CP (EDCP) of wheat DDGS relative to wheat; however, corn DDGS remained the same as corn. The effective degradability of NDF (EDNDF) did not vary between the DDGS samples and feedstock grains. Among DDGS types, EDDM ranged from 52.4 to 57.7 %, EDOM from 46.4 to 53.5 %DM, and EDCP from 34.0 to 45.6 %CP, being higher as the proportion of wheat in feedstock increased. No significant differences in EDDM, EDOM, EDCP and EDNDF for wheat DDGS were detected between the different bio-ethanol plants. The hourly effective degradability ratios between N and energy indicated a potential excess of N in rumen when DDGS samples were evaluated as single ingredient. This excess increased as the proportion of wheat in feedstock increased. Estimated intestinal digestibility of rumen bypass protein (IDP) was similar between wheat and wheat DDGS, but higher in corn DDGS than in corn. Blend DDGS had the highest IDP (93.9 %RUP). Due to the significantly different PC sub-fraction found in wheat DDGS originated at the different bio-ethanol plants, a large but numerical difference was detected in IDP (89.4 vs. 75.9 %RUP).<p> In Study 3, we used both the DVE/OEB System and the NRC 2001 Model to reveal the metabolic characteristics of DDGS protein and predict the protein supply to dairy cattle. The two models showed higher protein values (DVE or MP) for DDGS samples than for feedstock grains. The higher IDP for blend DDGS largely contributed to the higher protein value relative to wheat DDGS and corn DDGS (MP: 277 vs. 242 vs. 250 g kg-1 DM). Similarly, protein values differed significantly between the bio-ethanol plants mainly as a result of the numerical but large difference in IDP (MP: 272 vs. 223 g kg-1 DM). According to the two models, the degraded protein balance for DDGS products was higher than in the parental grains. Wheat DDGS showed the highest potential N excess (DBPNRC: 78 g kg-1 DM). For corn DDGS, however, the DVE/OEB System suggested a potential N excess (11 g kg-1 DM) while the NRC 2001 Model exhibited a potential N deficiency (-12 g kg-1 DM). The degraded protein balance for wheat DDGS was similar between the different bio-ethanol plants.<p> In conclusion, the chemical and biological characteristics of DDGS varied among types and between wheat DDGS samples manufactured at the different bio-ethanol plants. Thus, it is inappropriate to assume fixed values for the nutritive value of DDGS without considering factors such as type of grain used and bio-ethanol plant origin. Further research with higher number of samples will help to clarify the use of the chemical profile to predict energy values and the potential degradability of DDGS.

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.

No description available.

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.

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.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of feeding extruded and non-extruded mixtures of wheat dried distillers grains with solubles with peas (WP) or canola meal (WC) on ruminal fermentation, total tract nutrient digestion and milk production in dairy cows. Eight dairy cows (712 ± 54 kg body weight; 90 ± 31 days-in-milk at the beginning of the experiment) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design (28-d periods) with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. Four cows in one Latin square were fitted with rumen cannulas for the measurement of ruminal fermentation characteristics. Treatment diets contained either WP or WC combinations fed in an extruded or non-extruded form (16% of DMI). Diets were isonitrogenous (17.1% crude protein; CP) and contained approximately 53% concentrate and 47% forage (DM basis). Dietary treatment had no significant effect on DMI (P > 0.10). Starch intake was higher for cows fed extruded diets compared to those fed non-extruded diets (P = 0.028) and was also higher for cows fed WP compared to those fed WC (P = 0.042). Cows fed extruded diets had higher apparent ruminal digestion of DM (P = 0.02) and a tendency (P = 0.05) for a higher OM apparently digested in the rumen compared to those fed non-extruded diets. Total tract digestibilities of organic matter (P < 0.01), CP (P < 0.01), ether extract (P < 0.01) and starch (P = 0.047) were higher for cows fed extruded diets compared to those fed non-extruded diets. Total tract digestibility of ether extract was lower (P = 0.011) but digestibility of starch was higher (P < 0.01) and CP digestibility tended to be higher (P = 0.08) for cows fed WP compared to those fed WC. Fecal N excretion was lower in cows fed extruded diets compared to those fed non-extruded diets (P < 0.01), but there was no difference in N retention, productive N, RDP or RUP between diets (P > 0.10). Ruminal pH was higher for cows fed non-extruded WC compared to those fed extruded WC, but there was no difference between WP diets (interaction; P = 0.047). Ruminal acetate displayed the opposite interaction where concentration was highest for cows fed extruded WC and lowest for those fed non-extruded WC but there was no difference between WP diets (interaction; P = 0.019). Ruminal ammonia-N concentration tended to be higher for cows fed WC compared to those fed WP (P = 0.06). Ruminal propionate concentration was higher for cows fed extruded diets compare to those fed non-extruded diets (P = 0.026). Ruminal isobutyrate concentration was higher for cows fed WC compared to those fed WP (P < 0.01). Ruminal butyrate (P < 0.01) and isovalerate (P < 0.01) concentrations were higher for cows fed extruded WC compared to those fed non-extruded WC, but concentrations decreased for cows fed extruded WP compared to those fed non-extruded WP. Plasma glucose concentration was higher for cows fed WC compared to those fed WP but concentration was highest for cows fed extruded WC but lowest for cows fed extruded WP (interaction; P < 0.01). Milk protein yield (P = 0.047) was higher and milk yield tended to be higher (P = 0.06) for cows fed WP compared to those fed WC diets. Milk protein content was not affected by diet; however, milk fat content (P = 0.04) and MUN (P = 0.011) were lower, whereas milk yield (P = 0.030), 3.5% fat corrected milk yield (P = 0.027), milk fat yield (P = 0.027), lactose content (P = 0.011) and lactose yield (P < 0.01) were higher in cows fed the extruded diets compared to those fed non-extruded diets. In summary, these results indicate that extrusion had positive effects on overall milk production and total tract nutrient digestion.