Dried distillers grains
Energy
Feeds providing mainly energy, such as corn and hominy, are
called energy suppliers. Waste products of the confectionery
and baking industries (bakery, chocolate, or candy wastes) are
also high in energy. Some are also high in fat and are more
suitably called multiple nutrient sources.
Protein
Meals remaining from the processing of oilseed are predominantly
protein suppliers. Some feed ingredients lower in protein than
the oil meals (30%-50% crude protein) and equal or lower in
energy value than corn (80% total digestible nutrient) are classified
as medium-protein feeds.
Fibre
Commodity feeds may have benefits in ruminant nutrition due
to their fibre content. These feeds are fibre suppliers and
include products such as soybean hulls, oat hulls and beet pulp.
An important consideration for fibrous by-products is heat damage
resulting in poorer nutritional value. Elevated levels of acid
detergent fibre-bound nitrogen (ADF-N), can discern this.
Fat
Fat sources are fed to increase the energy density of the ration,
as in the case of high-producing, early-lactation dairy cows
and rapidly growing starter beef cattle. There are well-established
limits to the amount and type of fat that can be effectively
incorporated into animal rations. Overfeeding fat causes digestive
disturbances in ruminants, reducing feed intake and efficiency.
Bypass Protein
Other feed ingredients have special features with respect to
protein degradability for use by ruminants. These are classified
as bypass or undegradable protein sources, of plant or animal
origin, and have a crude protein content greater than 20%, with
at least 50% of this protein escaping breakdown in the rumen.
Most often, these ingredients have been specially heat treated
or dried. They are most suitable for the diet of high-producing,
early-lactation dairy cows or rapidly growing starter beef cattle.
Bypass protein sources are often highly priced per unit of crude
protein. The protein composition (amino acid profile) and levels
of degradable, undegradable and soluble protein fractions are
particularly important.
Feed Ingredient Evaluation
When considering feeds from a specific class, you can make
economic decisions on a cost per kilogram of nutrient. For example,
to chose between 48% and 44% soybean meal calculate the cost
per unit of crude protein (CP) from each source and choose the
one providing protein at the least cost. For example, 48% soybean
meal (SBM) costs $380/tonne. The cost per unit of protein is
($380/480) or $0.79/kg. Similarly, if the cost of 44% SBM is
$360/tonne, then the cost of protein is (360/440) or $0.82/kg.
The same situation holds among the energy feeds based on their
Total Digestible Nutrient (TDN) or Net Energy (NE) values.Petersen's
equations were developed to compare the value of various feedstuffs
with corn and soybean meal, as the sources of protein and energy.
The use of these equations provides a fast and easy cost comparison
for alternative feeds. In Table 3, By-product Evaluation
Using Petersen's Equations, Petersen's equations were used
to calculate the value of alternative feeds based on their protein
and energy contents in comparison to the nutritive value and
cost of corn and soybean meal (SBM). Factors used in Petersen's
equations can be calculated as follows (input "as fed" values):
A = [(TDN corn x CP of test feed) - (CP of
corn x TDN of test feed)] ÷ [(TDN corn x CP of SBM) -
(CP of corn x TDN of SBM)]
B = [(CP of test feed) - (CP of SBM x A)] ÷ CP of corn
Petersen's equations are used to calculate the comparative
value of a feed as follows:
$ value per tonne of test feed = (A x $ price per T SBM)
+ (B x $ price per T of corn)
Corn (energy feed) and 48% soybean meal
(protein feed) are commonly used as the base feeds in Petersen's
equations. However, any other energy or protein feed can be
substituted. The value of a test feed is based on its level
of TDN and CP in comparison to the costs and nutritive value
of the base feeds, in this case, corn and soybean meal.
To use the ratio equations to determine the value of an alternative
feed:
- multiply the price of soybean meal by the soy ratio (A)
- multiply the price of corn by the corn ratio (B)
- add or subtract these two results as indicated
- the result is the maximum value of the test feed as a source
of energy and protein.
For example, if the price of corn is $120/tonne and the price
of soybean meal (48%) is $320/tonne, then the nutrient value
of bakery waste is (0.0507 x $320) + (0.9852 x $120) = $134.23.
Bakery waste available at a price of less than $134/tonne is
a good value when corn costs $120/tonne and soybean meal $320/tonne.
A change in the price of either corn or soybean meal will affect
the economic value of bakery waste. When feed prices are volatile,
update Petersen's equations regularly to determine if an alternative
feed source is a better buy. Table 1, Feed Value Comparison
based upon Variable Corn and Soybean Meal Prices, shows
changes in alternative feed values as the price of corn and
soybean meal varies.
Table 1. Feed Value Comparison
based upon Variable Corn and Soybean Meal Prices
|
|
Price per Tonne
|
|
Corn Grain
|
$120
|
$150
|
$180
|
|
Soybean Meal - 48%
|
$300
|
$320
|
$340
|
$300
|
$320
|
$340
|
$300
|
$320
|
$340
|
|
|
Value per Tonne
|
|
Bakery Waste
|
$133
|
$134
|
$135
|
$163
|
$164
|
$165
|
$193
|
$194
|
$195
|
|
Beet Pulp
|
$111
|
$111
|
$111
|
$139
|
$139
|
$139
|
$168
|
$168
|
$167
|
|
Brewers Grain - Wet
|
$45
|
$47
|
$49
|
$48
|
$50
|
$52
|
$51
|
$53
|
$56
|
|
Brewers Grain - Dried
|
$172
|
$180
|
$188
|
$184
|
$193
|
$201
|
$197
|
$205
|
$213
|
|
Corn Distillers - Wet
|
$68
|
$71
|
$74
|
$73
|
$76
|
$79
|
$79
|
$82
|
$85
|
|
Corn Distillers - Dried
|
$208
|
$217
|
$226
|
$224
|
$234
|
$243
|
$241
|
$250
|
$260
|
|
Corn Gluten Feed
|
$86
|
$90
|
$93
|
$93
|
$97
|
$101
|
$101
|
$105
|
$108
|
|
Corn Gluten Meal - 60%
|
$364
|
$390
|
$417
|
$356
|
$382
|
$408
|
$348
|
$374
|
$400
|
|
Corn Hominy
|
$141
|
$141
|
$142
|
$172
|
$173
|
$174
|
$204
|
$205
|
$206
|
|
Carrots
|
$16
|
$16
|
$17
|
$20
|
$20
|
$20
|
$24
|
$24
|
$24
|
While the ratio equations in Table 3 use TDN and CP to compare
feeds, these equations can also be used to compare feeds using
other nutrients, e.g., Metabolizable Energy (ME), Digestible
Energy (DE) or Net Energy (NE) as the energy units. Other protein
values may also be used, such as, bypass protein or % lysine.
To substitute other nutrients, simply replace the energy and/or
protein values for each of the TDN or CP values of corn, soybean
meal and the test feed. Provided that the same energy or protein
units are used for each of the 3 feeds, the equations to determine
the A and B factors for use in Petersen's equation will be appropriate.
Petersen's equations do not accurately evaluate feeds that
are mainly suppliers of fibre, by-pass protein or fat. Feeds
that contain high amounts of fat have a greater economic value
in diets of high-producing cows or rapidly growing starter cattle,
where very high energy densities are critical. These types of
feeds, such as bakery waste or tallow, must be given special
consideration. Feeds that supply multiple nutrients, such as
whole cottonseed or roasted soybeans, will actually be worth
$25-$60/tonne more than the value expressed in a simple protein/energy
value.
Evaluating Bypass Protein or Bypass
Protein Evaluation
Feeds providing significant bypass protein must also be given
special consideration, as the cost of this form of protein is
25%-30% higher than crude protein. Since bypass protein is more
expensive than crude protein and may be the only limiting nutrient
in a specific diet, a comparison of alternative bypass protein
sources may be desired. These feeds may be compared based on
cost per unit of bypass protein. The comparative values of bypass
protein in various feeds listed in Table 2, Bypass Protein
Evaluation, are obtained using the following formula:
$/kg bypass protein = $/unit feed ÷ kg/unit of feed
x % CP x % UIP
% CP = crude protein of feed on an as-fed basis
% UIP = undegradable intake protein content of feed as % of
CP
For example, the cost per kg of bypass protein when 48% soybean
meal containing 35% UIP costs $370/tonne is:
$370/tonne ÷ (1000 kg/tonne) x 0.48 x 0.35 = $2.20/kg
bypass protein
This method can also be used when comparing the values of other
feeds that supply only one nutrient, such as tallow and oils.
Table 2. Bypass Protein Evaluation
|
Feed
|
Price/T
$
|
CP
% as fed
|
UIP
% of CP
|
Cost/kg
UIP
|
|
Soybean Meal
|
372
|
48.0
|
35
|
$2.21
|
|
Dried Corn Distillers
|
234
|
27.1
|
62
|
$1.39
|
|
Corn Gluten Meal
|
550
|
61.2
|
55
|
$1.63
|
|
Fish Meal
|
850
|
60.3
|
72
|
$1.96
|
|
Blood Meal
|
900
|
79.1
|
82
|
$1.39
|
Note that with the values used in Table 2,
blood meal and dry corn distillers are the cheapest sources
of bypass protein.
Least Cost Formulation
Petersen's equations and single nutrient evaluations
are simple and easy to use. However, the small number of nutrients
that they consider in evaluating a feedstuff limits them. More
advanced methods have developed for determining the dollar value
of by-product feeds. For many years, the feed industry and large
livestock producers have used least-cost computer formulation
methods to formulate diets and minimize feed costs. These programs
use matrix algebra or linear programming to match the feeds
available to the nutrient requirements of the animal. Many nutrients
can be evaluated simultaneously.
Linear programming can also determine maximum
dollar values and replacement values for any feed not used in
a particular ration formulation. This allows a user to estimate
when an ingredient might be an economical alternative particularly
when feed prices are changing rapidly. Linear programs provide
the most accurate estimate of an ingredient's worth. Linear
programs can also adjust for predetermined dietary inclusion
limits for ingredients based upon palatability or nutritional
considerations.
Least-cost programs are available from many
software suppliers at a nominal fee. Contact OMAFRA's Agricultural
Information Contact Centre for agricultural software listing
for least-cost and other ration programs available in Canada
and the United States.
Other Considerations
Cost of alternative feeds should not be the
only consideration when thinking about replacing nutrients in
a diet. Other considerations include trucking costs, special
storage, handling and processing facilities and increased labour
requirements for handling and processing. Spoilage must be considered,
as some of these products are high in moisture and have a short
storage life. Contaminants, such as plastic, can be a problem
and additional costs are incurred to the producer for sorting
and disposal of the contaminants. Quality of the ingredient
including nutritional composition and palatability must also
be considered, as the feeds listed in the tables can only substitute
for a portion of the more traditional ration ingredients.
Relevant OMAFRA Factsheets
Comparative Feed Values for Swine, Order No. 03-003
Livestock Feed Terms Defined, Order No. 92-017
Nutrient Testing, Order No. 03-007
Table 3. By-product Evaluation Using Petersen's
Equations
|
Feed
|
% DM
|
% TDN
|
% CP
|
% TDN
|
% CP
|
A-SOY
Ratio
|
B-CORN
Ratio
|
Feed
Value
|
|
DM basis
|
As-fed basis
|
|
Corn Grain
|
85.0
|
89.0
|
9.6
|
75.7
|
8.2
|
0.0000
|
1.0000
|
$140.00
|
|
Soybean Meal 48%
|
89.0
|
84.0
|
53.9
|
74.8
|
48.0
|
1.0000
|
0.0000
|
$320.00
|
|
Milling and Processing Products
|
|
Apple Pomace
|
20.0
|
70.0
|
5.0
|
14.0
|
1.0
|
- 0.0128
|
0.1977
|
$23.59
|
|
Bakery Waste
|
88.0
|
89.0
|
11.9
|
78.3
|
10.5
|
0.0507
|
0.9852
|
$154.15
|
|
Beet Pulp
|
91.0
|
78.0
|
8.0
|
71.0
|
7.3
|
- 0.0094
|
0.9476
|
$129.64
|
|
Wet Brewers Grain
|
24.0
|
67.0
|
25.0
|
16.1
|
6.0
|
0.1069
|
0.1069
|
$49.17
|
|
Dry Brewers Grain
|
92.0
|
67.0
|
25.0
|
61.6
|
23.0
|
0.4097
|
0.4099
|
$188.50
|
|
Corn Cobs
|
90.0
|
47.0
|
2.8
|
42.3
|
2.5
|
- 0.0512
|
0.6097
|
$68.98
|
|
Wet Corn Distillers
|
30.0
|
84.0
|
29.5
|
25.2
|
8.9
|
0.1537
|
0.1813
|
$74.55
|
|
Dry Corn Distillers
|
92.0
|
83.7
|
29.5
|
77.0
|
27.1
|
0.4710
|
0.5524
|
$228.05
|
|
Corn Gluten Feed
|
40.0
|
82.0
|
27.5
|
32.8
|
11.0
|
0.1870
|
0.2488
|
$94.67
|
|
40% Gluten Meal
|
91.0
|
86.0
|
43.9
|
78.3
|
39.9
|
0.7895
|
0.2543
|
$288.24
|
|
60% Gluten Meal
|
91.0
|
86.0
|
67.2
|
78.3
|
61.2
|
1.3208
|
- 0.2708
|
$384.76
|
|
Citrus Pulp
|
18.3
|
82.5
|
6.6
|
15.1
|
1.2
|
- 0.0105
|
0.2100
|
$26.02
|
|
Hominy - Corn
|
91.0
|
92.0
|
11.8
|
83.7
|
10.7
|
0.0428
|
1.0644
|
$162.71
|
|
Oat Hulls
|
93.0
|
35.0
|
3.8
|
32.6
|
3.5
|
0.0006
|
0.4297
|
$60.34
|
|
Oats - Mixed Feed
|
90.0
|
60.0
|
14.0
|
54.0
|
12.6
|
0.1698
|
0.5460
|
$130.77
|
|
Roasted Soybeans
|
92.0
|
93.5
|
41.3
|
86.0
|
38.0
|
0.7198
|
0.4255
|
$289.90
|
|
Rye Distillers - Wet
|
30.0
|
84.0
|
29.0
|
25.2
|
8.7
|
0.1499
|
0.1850
|
$73.86
|
|
Whey
|
7.0
|
78.0
|
14.0
|
5.5
|
1.0
|
0.0098
|
0.0625
|
$11.88
|
|
Wheat Bran
|
89.0
|
70.0
|
18.0
|
62.3
|
16.0
|
0.2330
|
0.5932
|
$157.63
|
|
Rice middlings
|
88.0
|
66.9
|
15.6
|
58.9
|
13.7
|
0.1849
|
0.5955
|
$142.53
|
|
Rendering By-products
|
|
Fat - Animal
|
95.0
|
200.0
|
|
190.0
|
0.0
|
- 0.5136
|
3.0191
|
$258.33
|
|
Feather Meal
|
93.0
|
67.7
|
91.4
|
63.0
|
85.0
|
1.9597
|
- 1.1038
|
$472.56
|
|
Blood Meal
|
92.0
|
65.0
|
86.0
|
59.8
|
79.1
|
1.8210
|
- 1.0091
|
$441.44
|
|
Fish Meal
|
90.0
|
70.0
|
67.0
|
63.0
|
60.3
|
1.3407
|
- 0.4922
|
$360.13
|
|
Meat and Bone Meal (Non-Ruminant Origin)
|
93.0
|
73.1
|
53.8
|
68.0
|
50.0
|
1.0691
|
- 0.1577
|
$320.04
|
|
Fruits and Vegetables
|
|
Apples
|
17.0
|
70.0
|
2.8
|
11.9
|
0.5
|
- 0.0202
|
0.1773
|
$18.35
|
|
Bananas
|
24.3
|
84.1
|
4.5
|
20.4
|
1.1
|
- 0.0278
|
0.2977
|
$32.76
|
|
Beets
|
13.0
|
80.3
|
12.6
|
10.4
|
1.6
|
0.0128
|
0.1253
|
$21.65
|
|
Bread
|
63.0
|
89.0
|
13.3
|
56.1
|
8.4
|
0.0584
|
0.6835
|
$114.37
|
|
Broccoli
|
11.0
|
70.0
|
33.0
|
7.7
|
3.6
|
0.0701
|
0.0325
|
$26.99
|
|
Cabbage
|
9.5
|
85.3
|
25.3
|
8.1
|
2.4
|
0.0383
|
0.0692
|
$21.96
|
|
Carrots
|
12.0
|
84.0
|
9.9
|
10.1
|
1.2
|
0.0025
|
0.1308
|
$19.11
|
|
Celery
|
6.0
|
62.0
|
15.3
|
3.7
|
0.9
|
0.0129
|
0.0364
|
$9.24
|
|
Lettuce
|
5.0
|
51.0
|
22.0
|
2.6
|
1.1
|
0.0207
|
0.0133
|
$8.47
|
|
Onions
|
9.0
|
57.6
|
12.6
|
5.2
|
1.1
|
0.0144
|
0.0543
|
$12.21
|
|
Potatoes
|
23.0
|
81.0
|
9.5
|
18.6
|
2.2
|
0.0044
|
0.2419
|
$35.28
|
|
Tomatoes
|
6.0
|
69.0
|
16.4
|
4.1
|
1.0
|
0.0135
|
0.0414
|
$10.11
|
e.g. to determine the value of wet distillers grain when corn
is $140 per tonne and soybean meal is $320 per tonne:
(0.1537 x $320) + (0.1813 x $140) = $74.56
Related Links
