Brewers grains are a nutritious feed ingredient that can be fed to dairy cows and beef cattle. When used as a supplement during milking time, they can increase milk production by over 20 percent.
The protein content of brewers grain ranges from 25 to 34%. However, they are low in calcium and potassium, so a mineral supplement should be supplied.
Contents
Cost
Wet brewers grains are an alternative source of protein and fiber that can be included in dairy and beef cattle diets to reduce total feed costs. They have high digestible fiber and TDN content compared to corn, a common corn-based concentrate.
Spent brewery grains can be free or cost-effective to obtain if they are available in your area. They have a high TDN value (71 to 75 percent) and are a good source of ruminant-specific nutrients.
In addition, brewery spent grains contain a lot of minor components that can be used by the ruminant to fill in nutritional gaps in a diet. They also have a wealth of vitamins and minerals. However, they should not be relied on as the sole feed source and supplemental calcium may be needed when they are fed as a significant portion of the diet.
Energy
Wet brewers grain can provide a good source of protein and energy for cattle. It contains all essential amino acids, as well as a large amount of non-essential amino acids and vitamins.
It also contains a good amount of nitrogen and a rich supply of calcium. However, brewers grains do not contain all the nutrients required by cattle and may require supplementation.
Adding wet brewers grains to pasture based systems can increase milk production and calf growth rates. It can also help reduce feed costs. This can be especially beneficial for dairy farmers in this time of low milk prices.
Digestibility
Brewers spent grains are a by-product of the beer-brewing industry, and are primarily used as feed for cattle. These grains contain a variety of minor components that are important for cattle nutrition.
They also are a lower cost, protein-rich and fiber supplement. However, they can be costly to transport and should not be considered as a complete feed replacement for traditional cereals such as barley or wheat (Crawshaw, 2004).
A 12-wk randomized complete block study was conducted using 30 yearling Holstein heifers [378 +- 27 d of age; BW of 357.8 +- 27.6 kg]. The diets were formulated to be limit-fed for dry matter intake at 2.27 Mcal metabolizable energy/kg of DM and provided 15% crude protein (CP).
Preservatives
Wet brewers grain is a protein-rich by-product that can be fed to dairy cattle. The brewery industry uses mostly malted barley to produce beer, leaving behind a protein-rich residue known as “beer waste.”
In addition to being high in proteins and fiber, wet brewers grain is rumen undegradable, which means it can pass through the rumen and enter the cow’s abomasum without needing to be broken down. This makes it an excellent dietary supplement for beef cattle or dairy herds.
However, wet brewers grain is susceptible to spoilage. Adding salt to this high-protein, low-cost feed can help extend its shelf life by decreasing mold growth and nutrient losses. Research from the NH Agricultural Experiment Station at the UNH College of Life Sciences and Agricultures suggests that treating wet brewers grains with salt can also increase microbial protein synthesis in heifers, which can lead to improved dairy cow performance.
Safety
Feeding wet brewers grain to cattle is generally safe as long as it is used as a supplement to the diet and not as a primary feed source. This grain-derived product is an excellent source of protein and energy with a high concentration of fiber, making it an ideal substitute for wheat flour in stocker diets.
It is also low in calcium and potassium, so a well-balanced mineral supplement should be provided when feeding wet brewery grains to cattle. Aflatoxins, which are produced by fungi in wet grain storage, can be a problem with this feed, so a calcium bentonite adsorbent should be included.
The moisture content of wet brewers grain makes it particularly susceptible to spoilage in a short time. Ensiling can help prevent this.
