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Feeding livestock in today’s environment continues to become more and more challenging. The days of simply blending high-quality grain and protein sources with vitamins and minerals have all but disappeared. Instead, today’s livestock producers find that they are feeding more by-products or co-products and at higher levels than ever before. This not only complicates the feed management program but also creates unique challenges for maintaining animal performance, building environment and the management of manure resources.
  FACTS ABOUT FEEDING DDGS
The global demand for renewable fuels has created increased interest in ethanol production from feedstocks that are traditionally fed to livestock. This, along with higher energy cost, has significantly increased the demand for corn and other feed grains, resulting in a supply shortage. The result is higher feed cost and the need to source alternative energy sources as corn and other feed grains become less and less available. This trend is not expected to change any time soon.
The good news for livestock and poultry producers is that a co-product of the ethanol industry is Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS). Properly produced and maintained, DDGS can be an effective alternative ingredient for all species of livestock during all phases of production. When appropriately utilized, DDGS can be used without the loss of animal performance. However, for this to occur, there are significant factors that must be managed.
 Protein from corn or other grain is not generally recognized as high quality and therefore must be supplemented with other sources of amino acids to provide the appropriate balance. The process of ethanol production extracts the starch and sugars leaving all other nutrients at approximately three times the level found in the original grain source. Therefore, the protein content of DDGS is approximately triple that of corn and the protein quality issues are generally magnified by a similar factor. Consequently, as the dietary level of DDGS increases so does the dietary protein level. In many cases, the dietary protein level ends up higher than it might be in grain-based rations. This, in combination with lower protein quality, can lead to excess nitrogen excretion resulting in high ammonia exposure for livestock, workers and neighbors. Learn more, An Overview of Ammonia and its Impact.
In addition to the protein magnification in DDGS, the fiber component is also nearly tripled. Because the fiber is poorly digested, this will lead to increased manure production, especially for non-ruminant animals. Increased manure production will change the dynamics of the waste handling system resulting in increased solids buildup, increased viscosity, reduced holding capacity and odor production. Finally, phosphorus and other minerals are also magnified in DDGS and subsequently within the waste handling system. This further complicates the nutrient management plan by altering the dynamics within the land application of manure.
WHY YOU NEED MICRO-AID®
Micro-Aid is an all-natural feed additive that is safe for use in all livestock and poultry. Micro-Aid works to promote a healthier environment both internally and externally. Micro-Aid is not absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract; instead, it is excreted along with fecal matter to continue working within the waste management system.
 Micro-Aid has been proven to be extremely effective in reducing ammonia and other noxious gases within and around livestock facilities. Micro-Aid has been the additive used most for controlling ammonia and other livestock odors for over 40 years. Learn more, Micro-Aid Enhances Air Quality to Promote Better Animal Health. What you may not realize is that the ability of Micro-Aid to reduce odors starts within the intestinal tract where it creates a microbial environment that aids in nutrient utilization. Improved utilization reduces nutrient excretion resulting in reduced substrate for odorous gas development. Learn more, Micro-Aid and Intestinal Efficiency.
In addition, improving the utilization of dietary protein, phosphorus and other nutrients aids in the maintenance of animal performance. In other words, when feeding DDGS, Micro-Aid will improve the efficiency of nitrogen utilization while reducing the harmful effects of nitrogen excretion into the waste management system. This is also true for phosphorus and other nutrients as well. These reductions in nutrient excretion create a healthier environment for livestock and farm workers, as well as reduce the risk of odor complaints from neighbors.
Over 40 years of research have proven that Micro-Aid is the most effective waste management tool on the market today. Micro-Aid is commonly used in livestock and industrial waste management programs throughout the world to accelerate waste breakdown in storage systems (pits, lagoons, slurry stores, etc), as well as to improve cleanup of buildings, pens and equipment. Learn more, Addressing Waste Management Problems With Micro-Aid.
Within the waste management system, Micro-Aid will accelerate the digestion of the fibrous components of DDGS resulting in reduced solids and viscosity. This restores the useful capacity of the storage system and reduces the cost and labor associated with waste removal. By promoting an active and well-balanced microbial population within the waste management system, Micro-Aid in your DDGS rations enhances the incorporation of waste nutrients into an economical and reliable product suitable for land application for crop nourishment. Learn more, Opportunities for Micro-Aid in Diets Containing Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS).
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Support material referred to in this article include:
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MICRO-AID ENHANCES
DDGS UTILIZATION
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Micro-Aid in DDGS diets maintains a healthy gut environment for enhanced nutrient utilization,resulting in improved animal performance and reduced nutrient excretion (nitrogen, phosphorus and trace minerals).
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Micro-Aid in DDGS diets maintains a healthy and balanced microbial population within the waste management system, resulting in reduced solids, lower costs, and more effective Nutrient Management Plans.
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Micro-Aid in DDGS diets reduces noxious and harmful gases, resulting in a safer and healthier environment for livestock and workers while maintaining neighbor relations through reduced odor production. |
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