Corn gluten feed is a great source of protein and energy for dairy cattle. It is a low-lysine source of energy, and helps improve the utilization of nutrients. It is produced by the process of wet milling corn, and many producers are switching to this method for improved production.
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Wet corn gluten feed improves utilization
Wet corn gluten feed is a high-moisture feed containing protein and fiber that can be rapidly digested. This feed can be used in the traditional stall feeding of dairy cattle. However, it may be beneficial to feed it separately to maximize its utilization. This product can replace a portion of the alfalfa hay in the diet of dairy cows.
The corn gluten feed is a medium-protein source that is relatively low in rumen undegradable protein. In addition to this, it provides a good source of energy. This type of corn feed is high in sulfur and phosphorus, which helps improve fiber digestion in the digestive tract. However, the sulfur content varies based on the manufacturing process.
It is a good source of protein
Corn gluten feed is a medium protein source with low rumen undegradable protein and good energy content. It is also a good source of phosphorus and sulfur. However, it should be used at less than 50% of the feed’s DM content. It is a valuable supplement for feedmixes of all livestock species.
Using corn gluten as a feed replacement for soy meal increased milk yield. In addition, the proportion of milk fat decreased. This resulted in a lower fat-to-protein ratio. Nevertheless, the dietary protein content in the milk increased significantly with the substitution of corn gluten meal over soybean meal.
The nutritional value of corn gluten feed for dairy cattle has been widely studied in a variety of trials. Studies have shown that dairy cows fed 20 to 35% wet corn gluten feed produced more energy-corrected milk compared to control cows. Moreover, milk protein and lactose yields increased. Fat yield remained unchanged.
It is low in lysine
The concentration of lysine in corn gluten feed for dairy cattle is very low compared to conventional diets. Interestingly, rumen undegradable protein (RDP) in gluten feed is 30 percent lower than in conventional diet. However, the gluten diet has a higher fiber content and lower starch content than conventional feed.
The protein content of corn gluten feed varies widely, with products ranging in content from 15.2 percent to 27.1 percent crude protein on an as-fed basis. These variations are likely due to the manufacturing process, as the amount of sulfur can vary. Some companies guarantee that their feed contains over 17% crude protein.
Studies have reported that feeding dairy cattle a high corn gluten diet reduces production performance compared to a multi-ingredient diet. However, further studies are necessary to determine whether feeding a low corn gluten diet can help boost milk production.
It is a good source of energy
In addition to providing energy, corn gluten feed can also increase animal performance. In addition to increasing daily gain, dehydrated corn gluten can also improve feed efficiency. A study conducted in Brazil found that adding 16% corn gluten to the diet was economically advantageous. This is good news for dairy farmers who are trying to increase energy levels.
The wet milling process of corn involves the extraction of sugars and ethanol. The sugars are then converted into fuel and other products. One bushel of corn yields enough sugar to produce approximately 375 cans of soda. The same amount of corn also yields 2.5 gallons of ethanol. The process involves steeping corn for about 30 hours. After that, the kernel is broken down into several parts. Two-thirds of the bran is used to make corn gluten feed.
It is similar in fat content to corn grain
Corn gluten feed is a by-product of the wet milling of corn kernels. It is similar to corn grain in fat content, and it is very high in protein, fiber, and digestible carbohydrates. It is well suited for feeding to lactating dairy cows. The diet of dairy cows formerly consisted of 37% corn silage, 18% alfa silage, and 24.3% corn grain. It also contained up to 4.9% soy hulls.
Despite the similarities in fat content, the two diets contain the same amount of protein and metabolizable protein. However, the content of lysine and rumen undegradable protein was significantly lower in the gluten diet. While the conventional diet had a slightly higher percentage of DM, the gluten diet was lower in fiber and starch content.
