Carcass Quality Effects of Feeding Ethanol By-products

August 9, 2006 — 

Ethanol production results in the production of by-products called Distillers Grains, consisting mainly of digestible fiber, protein and fat, which can be fed to livestock. There is concern about the consequences feeding these by-products may have on carcass quality.

Some cattle producers and packers have reported declines in carcass marbling scores associated with the feeding of distillers grains. Available research, however, indicates that the effect, if present at all, is small and only a problem at feeding levels exceeding 30 percent of dry matter in the feed.

Distillers grains can also be used in swine rations, but only at much lower levels.

Source:
Cattlenetwork.com, July 17, 2006
http://cattlenetwork.com/content.asp?contentid=52755