Distillers grains as an energy source and effect of drying on protein availability

The use of distillers byproducts as energy sources would expand the market for these byproducts. Drying of these byproducts may produce changes that affect the nutritional value. A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate distillers byproducts as an energy source for finishing cattle and to compare wet vs. dried byproducts. The energy value of wet distillers byproducts was 132 to 174% the value of dry rolled corn for finishing cattle when the byproducts were fed as 40% of the diet dry matter. Distillers dried grains plus solubles were 130% the energy value of corn. Acid detergent insoluble nitrogen level of the dried grains did not affect feeding value. Distillers dried grains plus solubles were equal in protein value to wet byproducts when fed to growing calves. Acid detergent insoluble nitrogen level did not affect protein utilization of dried distillers byproducts.