by Will Cordes
ANC Consultant

As corn prices rise and supplies tighten, many farmers are considering using by-product feedstuffs to replace or extend current grain and forage inventories. Effective use of these feeds could possibly reduce ration cost compared to buying corn and soybean meal, and may also improve cow health and productivity.

The use of by-product feeds may not be profitable for every farm. If forage and grain inventories are high, it may not be profitable to increase out-of-pocket costs, unless the addition of by-products improves the quality of the ration. This is most evident when ration fiber needs indicate the addition of cottonseed or soy hulls.

In the past, by-product feeds were the leftovers from various manufacturing processes, with little regard to effective use as a feed stuff. Now, due to market demand, these plants are concerned with supplying higher quality feedstuffs. Therefore, they prefer to use the term co-products rather than by-products.

As with any other feedstuffs, testing for DM, CP, ADF, NDF, and minerals is a must as by-products vary in quality and analysis depending on the supplier.

Corn replacement by-products are used when corn is in short supply, or the price of corn is not favorable. Here is a review of some commonly fed corn replacement by-products or as they are now termed, "co-products."

Hominy feed processed
Hominy feed is a mix of corn germ, corn bran, and part of the starchy portion of the corn kernel from the milling for corn flour. Hominy contains 10-12% crude protein, 60% NFC (starch) and has a NEl of .91. It can replace corn on a pound for pound basis in the ration. Because the particle size is fine, it may be necessary to limit hominy to 10-15 pounds per head per day when 5-10 pounds of grain is topdressed separately. Hominy works best in a TMR ration.

Soy hulls
Soy hulls is another by-product that helps raise ration energy levels by providing a highly digestible fiber source whichallows us to incorporate more corn in the diet. Hulls are removed from the soybean meal before extraction of the oil. Soy hulls usually contain 12-14% crude protein with a NEl of .78-.80 and continue to be a good buy relative to the price of corn. Some soy hulls are 22% protein but contain pieces of soybean and really are a mixture of soy screenings and hulls. Common inclusion rates are 3-7 pounds per head per day.

Cottonseed
Cottonseed is truly a unique feed ingredient for dairy cows. It provides an excellent source of digestible fiber and energy, containing 20% fat and a NEl of 1.01. This makes cottonseed very useful in the ration by increasing the energy density of the diet while maintaining or improving the fiber levels. The effective fiber of cottonseed is extremely high and allows it to be used as a forage extender. Cottonseed should be stored to keep moisture at 13% or less to prevent mold growth and possible aflatoxin problems. The upper limit for cottonseed is about eight pounds per day.

Corn gluten feed
Corn gluten feed continues to be a sound buy as a grain extender. Gluten feed is the dried product of the remains of the wet milling of corn for corn starch and syrup. Protein in gluten feed ranges from 18-23% with 25-30% bypass depending upon supplier. The NEl is about .84-.87, making it an excellent energy source. Gluten feed may be fed at rates up to 50% of the grain dry matter, with 7-10 pounds per head per day common. Palatability may be a concern as overheating of the gluten feed may occur in the drying process.

Wet corn gluten feed may be available in certain areas and usually contains about 40-60% dry matter. Feeding rate on a dry matter basis is the same as dry corn gluten feed. Due to the high moisture level, wet corn gluten feed may freeze during the winter months, making it hard to handle and feed.

Corn distillers
Corn distillers is a by-product of the alcohol and ethanoldistilling industry. It is 27% protein (47% bypass), .93 NEl and 22% effective NDF. Feeding rates are 5-8 pounds per head per day and works best in TMR rations. In addition to being a corn extender, corn distillers is a good source of bypass protein and is often used in protein blends.

Availability of corn distillers is very good because of the recent increase of ethanol plants in the Midwest. However, it is not recommended to feed a high levels of corn distillers in a heavy corn silage diet because it limits the range of amino acids provided by the diet.

Wheat middlings
Wheat middlings are a by-product from cake flour processing. It contains 14-19% protein (20% bypass), .77 NEl, and has an effective fiber of 20%. Feeding rates are about 5-10 pounds per head per day. Wheat middlings are a source of highly digestible fiber and help with the digestion of forages, especially this year with forages having high levels of lignin. Middlings have been used as a filler product for many years in complete feed mixes and commercial protein blends because of its availability and reasonable price.

These are just a few of the many by-products on the market that can be used as corn extenders. For example, beet pulp, wet and dry brewers grains, malt sprouts, bakery waste, corn mill feed, and wheat bran can be economical options. In addition, there are a variety of by-products that can be used as protein extenders. Remember, by-products are not for every farm. Talk to your consultant to find out if they are economical in your situation.

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