Dairy farmers are constantly seeking sustainable and cost-effective feed options for their cows. While alfalfa is a popular forage source, at times it can be expensive and limited by its availability. Therefore, alternative feed options such as distillers dried grains (DDGS), citrus pulp, and beet pulp are being investigated to partially replace alfalfa in dairy cow diets.
DDGS, a co-product of the ethanol industry, provides protein, energy, and minerals that can replace some ration alfalfa without affecting milk production or cow health. However, DDGS alone does not provide sufficient effective fiber levels that are essential for a cow’s digestive health. When adding DDGS to rations, alternative forage sources such as hay or straw should be used to ensure enough effective fiber. By blending DDGS with forage sources, farmers can promote sustainable farming practices and reduce their costs.
Using the average values provided by the NRC 2021 Dairy Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle, the nutrient concentration of a blend of one third wheat straw and two-thirds DDGS shows the following nutrient concentration:
- Crude protein (CP) = (1/3 x 4.25%) + (2/3 x 28%) = 18.7%
- Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) = (1/3 x 77.5%) + (2/3 x 40%) = 35.5%
- Net energy of lactation (NEL) = (1/3 x 0.59 Mcal/kg) + (2/3 x 2 Mcal/kg) = 1.68 mega calories per kilogram (Mcal/kg)
This nutrient concentration is very similar to that of dairy alfalfa hay with a relative feed value (RFV) of 150 which contains:
- CP = 18% to 22%
- NDF = 38% to 42%
- NEL = 1.4 to 1.6 Mcal/kg
Continue reading this article published in Hoard’s Dairyman.
