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Energy Evaluation of Brewers Grains for Growing and Finishing Cattle^{1, 2,}

Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio 44691

Abstract

ONE-HUNDRED-EIGHT steer calves were used to study the feeding value of dried brewers grains for growing and finishing cattle. Three levels of brewers grains (none, 25% and 50%) were fed in the total ration with corn grain, minerals and vitamins making up the remainder of the ration. Urea was used in the ration that did not contain brewers grains to provide an adequate level of crude protein. Additionally, one ration was evaluated which contained 25% brewers grains to which 5% brewers yeast was added. All rations were full-fed as well as fed at a restricted level to determine the net energy value of dried brewers grains.

Feedlot performance was improved by adding brewers grains to the ration at either the 25 or 50% level. Problems associated with rumen keratosis when the high corn ration was fed were overcome by feeding brewers grains; liver abscesses were also markedly reduced. The net energy value of brewers grains was nearly the same as corn grain. The NE_m and NE_gain values for dried brewers grains determined in this experiment were near 2.3 and 1.4 kcal/g, respectively, on a dry matter basis. These results indicate that brewers grains have considerable potential as a cattle feed.

¹ Approved for publication as Journal Article No. 105-72 by the Associate Director of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster.

² This study was supported by a grant from the U. S. Brewers Association, Inc., 1625 Eye St., N. W., Washington, D. C. 20006.

³ The authors wish to acknowledge Dr. C. R. Weaver for assisting with the statistical analyses; H. Uhler, E. Myers and J. Fora for their work in the husbandry of the cattle; and to Dinner Bell Foods, Archbold, Ohio for providing facilities to conduct specific gravity measurements on the carcasses.