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Research responds to producers' needs
Published 5/28/2009 in Beef Empire Days-Industry
By SHAJIA AHMAD
Ethanol plants have become a growing source for distiller dried grains, created in distilleries and subsequently sold as fodder for livestock.
However, some distiller grains contain high concentrations of sulfur due to the use of sulfuric acid in ethanol production, according to Kansas State University researchers who are trying to study the effects of these grains in feedlot diets.
Their experiments were just some of several research projects by animal science faculty and graduate students highlighted during a session at Wednesday's Beef Empire Days at the Finney County Fairgrounds.
Justin Waggoner, a K-State Extension specialist, said researchers have a continued and current dialogue with producers, including livestock farmers, and always are attempting to cater to their needs.
"We listen to them when they come to us with their concerns," Waggoner said. "In the end, that's what it's about."
Researchers have found that bottom line, feeding distiller grains that are high in sulfur may decrease feed intake and compromise growth and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle, regardless of their feed type: steam-flaked corn, dry-rolled corn or others.
Another study found that distiller grains that are high in sulfur can increase production of hydrogen sulfide gas, which is a causative factor in sulfur-induced polioencephalomalacia, a disease characterized by a disturbance of the central nervous system in cattle.
Some other highlighted findings from animal science research by K-State professors and graduate students are as follows:
- Adding GERM (dried, full-fat corn) to the diet may help control the incidence of liver abscess in naturally raised cattle, a problem incurred by many producers who raise beef naturally, without use of tylosin, an antibiotic.
- There are some associations between backgrounding health and cattle location within a commercial transport vehicle: The environment within a commercial transport carrier varies by compartment, and further research should be done to determine causes for health variation, researchers said.
- Feeding strategies aimed at increasing ruminal pH may be a logical approach for improving digestion of distillers grains in flaked-grain finishing diets.
To view other findings or complete research methodologies and results, visit http://www.asi.ksu.edu/cattlemensday or www.oznet.ksu.edu/library and search "beef cattle research."
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