The word “ethanol” has created quite a buzz in years past, but the rise of the ethanol industry has affected more than just our choices at the pump. The results have also opened up some opportunities to cattle producers. When considering feeding ethanol by-products, how distillers grains are purchased, stored and fed by the farmer is the nuts and bolts of making this process work.
Missouri State Senator Frank Barnitz (pictured below) recently hosted a field day at his farm and backgrounding operation near Lake Spring, Mo. The focus and intent was on answering any questions about feeding and storing distillers grains.
“We started this backgrounding operation about four years ago. We’ve fed distillers the whole time. We have also fed corn gluten, shell, and ear corn and soy hulls,” Barnitz said.
The Barnitz Farm also has run 300 to 500 cow-calf pairs and at one time included a hog operation. Frank noted that in his experience, both the mama cows and the backgrounding animals responded well to the distillers grains.
A pelleted form of distillers grain is available that helps when feeding from the ground. Barnitz said he has had no problems, however, feeding the meal form directly from the ground. “Those cows can lick it right off the ground and they do well with it,” Barnitz noted.
THE BACKGROUNDING YARD
In the backgrounding yard, the calves are weaned and vaccinated before arriving at the Barnitz farm. They are fed out of feed bunks and bunk space is crucial to success.
Barnitz also mentioned that he is as minimally invasive with antibiotics as possible.
“I don’t believe in doctoring really heavy,” Barnitz said, mentioning that he separates a possible sick animal and tries to get them on feed. If that doesn’t work, the animal is then given a lower strength antibiotic. “Our death rate is extremely low. We’re looking at about 1/4 percent. Right now we’ve got right at 500 head on feed and we’ve lost one,” Frank said.
WEIGHING THE PROS AND CONS
The price of distillers grains and decreased problems with bloat compared with other types of feeds are at the top of the list of benefits, however dealing with ethanol co-products in the southern Missouri area does have it challenges. One of them has been availability.
“They’re hard to find. I’ve got a broker that I work with to help get our product in here. We get some out of Missouri. We get a lot out of Illinois,” Barnitz stated. The Barnitz farm buys distillers grain by the tractor trailer load but Frank believes a better alternative will soon be available for the smaller producer.
STORAGE OF DISTILLERS GRAINS
Justin Sexten, the University of Missouri Extension state beef nutrition specialist, offered some practical advice for storage issues.
“If I was going to tell you the ideal way to store a wet product, the first thing I would do is make as narrow a pile as the bucket you are going to load it with,” Sexten said, pointing out that exposure to air is the enemy. Sexten then recommends covering with plastic.
Better options for the smaller producer who may not need a tractor trailer load seem to be on the horizon. Gary Wheeler of the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council mentions a tote bag that is being manufactured to store distillers grains.
“For the individuals out there that only have 20 to 60 head, you can use these totes. They’re using them in Iowa and other areas,” Wheeler said, mentioning that some feed mills are now being educated in how to use the totes. The totes retail for around $18.00 each and can hold up to 1,500 lbs of product. Ample resources about ethanol co-products are available for those interested. The University of Missouri Extension produces a brochure called “Buying and Feeding Ethanol Co-Products to Beef Cattle in Missouri.” The brochure gives recommended feeding rates for cattle, as well as Missouri ethanol plants and market contacts. Visit www.ozarksfn.com for links to the MU brochure and to the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council's information on distillers grains.
