How does oil extraction from DDGS impact nutrient and economic values?

Posted on March 28, 2012 in Swine Performance
By Jessica Boehm Following the annual Midwest Animal Science meetings in Des Moines, Iowa last week, NUTRIQUEST hosted a timely meeting to answer the question:  How is oil extraction impacting DDGS value in swine?  The event drew in nutritionists, producers and representatives from the ethanol industry, with a goal of soliciting different perspectives in the room and discussing changes that are taking place in the processing of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). It is estimated that more than half of the plants in the U.S. are currently extracting oil from DDGS, with more plants expected to come on board in the near future.  This oil extraction reduces the crude fat content of “typical” DDGS from approximately 10 percent to around 7 percent.  Although the equipment investment required to extract corn oil is expensive, typical ethanol plants are able to pay for the modifications within three months due to the additional income they receive from the sale of corn oil. The removal of additional fat from DDGS has obvious implications regarding the nutrient and economic value of DDGS in swine diets due to the expectation of reduced energy content when oil is removed.  It is interesting to note, however, that research presented at this meeting showed that fat content alone is not strongly predictive of the energy level of DDGS sources.  This is because the amounts and compositions of the remaining starch, protein and fiber fractions of DDGS are also extremely important in determining the final energy content of each DDGS source. When using any byproduct feed ingredient, it is important that the nutritional value of the ingredient is determined by routinely sampling and analyzing the product for essential nutrients that are used in the diet formulation process. At Vita Plus, we partner with NUTRIQUEST’s Illuminate service to monitor nutrient compositions of DDGS sources from throughout the Midwest.  Each week, we receive updated nutrient values for more than 40 individual sources of DDGS, and nutrient updates are made for each of these DDGS ingredients in our diet formulation software.  This allows us to better serve our swine customers by formulating diets based on the actual current nutrient compositions of specific DDGS sources being used by each farm, rather than depending on standard table values for DDGS or spotty, intermittent sampling and analyses. Because DDGS has become a common ingredient in swine diets, it is important that those in the swine industry – including producers, nutritionists, and ethanol industry personnel – work closely together to make sure this ingredient is correctly used for the benefit of all involved.  About the author:  Jessica Boehm previously worked as the Vita Plus swine technical information specialist.  She attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and earned a bachelor’s degree with a major in biology and minor in chemistry and psychology in 2006.  She earned her master’s degree in swine nutrition at UW-Madison in 2009.  She was raised in southern Wisconsin and spent her time on the family farm, raising veal, sheep, steers, pigs and tobacco.  Boehm is active in her community and on the family farm, and enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her husband, Justin.

Category: Feed ingredients
Feed quality and nutrition
Swine Performance