ARF02 - The Effects of Condensed Distillers' Solubles on Veal Calf Performance, Economic Returns and Carcass Quality

| Alternative Renewable Fuels - Project Summaries 2004 |

Researcher:

Mr. Phil McEwen, Ridgetown College, University of Guelph

Objectives:

1. To determine the effects of feeding condensed distillers solubles when fed ad libitum based on calf growth rate, feed intake and efficiency.
   
2. To determine the effects of feeding condensed distillers solubles ad libitum based on measurements of carcass fat thickness, ribeye area and marbling.
   
3. To determine the effects of feeding condensed distillers solubles as a dietary ingredient based on measurements of calf growth rate, feed intake and efficiency.
   
4. To determine the effects of feeding distillers solubles as a dietary ingredient based on measurements of carcass fat thickness, ribeye area and marbling.
   
5. To determine the economic implications of feeding condensed distillers solubles as an alternative energy and protein source.

Expected Benefits:

1. This project will help identify ways to reduce calf production costs while improving the use of condensed distillers solubles as a feed ingredient.

Summary of Research Results:

Condensed distillers solubles (CDS) is a primary co-product of ethanol production from dry milling. As indicated by Commercial Alcohols Inc. the amount of ethyl alcohol generated by their Chatham plant will increase greatly in the next couple of years with a proportionate increase in CDS expected. This feedstuff is reasonably high in protein content (20% CP) and is very high in available energy (93% TDN on a dry matter basis). Unfortunately the product is also relatively high in water (70% H20) content, which makes it more difficult to store and feed on farm. Condensed solubles are presently being fed by a number of beef, dairy and swine producers. However very little, if any, research has evaluated its feeding value for grain fed veal calves. Therefore the project's primary objective was to evaluate CDS as a feed ingredient for grain fed veal calves based on measurements of calf growth, feed intake, economic returns and carcass merit.

After a three week adjustment period, fifty-three Holstein bull calves, averaging 168.7 kg of body weight (BW), began the trial on October 5th, 2004. Calves were divided into three dietary groups (17 or 18 calves per diet). Control calves were fed a conventional whole corn and supplement diet (17.5% CP) until they reached 225 kgs of body weight (BW) followed by a 15% finisher diet. The second group was also fed control diets with ad libitum access to CDS from a lick-wheel container, while the third group was fed grower and finisher diets containing 5 percent CDS on a dry matter (DM) basis.

The calves were housed in twelve pens (9 @ Ponsonby General Animal Facility + 3 @ Ridgetown College). At the start of the trial there were four calves per pen at Ponsonby with three pens containing a liquid feeder (lick-wheel). At Ridgetown, there were three pens with 6 calves per pen. All calves were individually fed their grain diets and were weighed weekly. Ultrasound measurements for fat cover, ribeye area and intramuscular fat were also taken on each calf at the beginning of the trial and before they were marketed (>=315 kg of body weight). All calves were slaughtered at one location (Holly Park Meat Packers Inc.) where carcasses were weighed and visually assessed for muscling, meat and fat colour by a Canadian Beef Grading Agency inspector.

Daily gain, days to market, feed intake (DM basis) and efficiency were similar for each diet. Ultrasound measurements for intramuscular fat (marbling), ribeye area and rib fat depth were also comparable. Visual scores for carcass muscling, lean and fat colour were also not significantly different indicating that CDS consumption was not contributing to differences in carcass quality.

In contrast, feed cost was significantly reduced ($0.77 versus 0.71 per kilogram of gain) when CDS was incorporated directly into the diet (control versus diet 3). Since DM to gain estimates were similar, potential cost savings will strongly depend on relative CDS to corn and supplement price. To conclude, CDS was found to be a very acceptable and palatable feedstuff. More research is needed however, to determine the effects of CDS on growth rate, feed intake and efficiency, and monetary returns when fed to veal calves at higher levels (> 5% of ration DM).