Cost-Benefit Analysis of Using DDGS (Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles) as Fertilizer Near Ethanol Plants

Replacing Fertilizer with Dried Distillers’ Grains in Stocker Cattle Systems on Southern Great Plains Old World Bluestem, USA

Takeaway:

Replacing nitrogen fertilizer with dried distiller’s grains improves cattle performance and resource use efficiency, offering an economic alternative to traditional systems.

Authors: B. D. Wallis, Phillip A. Gunter, Gerald W. Horn, Ryan Reuter, Brian Arnall, Jason Warren, Sarah R. Lancaster, Phillip A. Lancaster

Year: 2023

Journal: Animals : an Open Access Journal from MDPI

Consensus Link: https://consensus.app/papers/replacing-fertilizer-dried-distillers-grains-stocker-wallis/700283fc0bbf5f98ad8cf4a391e6a49f/

Abstract:

Simple Summary Nutrient losses from grazing systems are a source of water and air pollution and a cost to producers, as these nutrients must be replaced. Improved management systems are needed in order to reduce nutrient losses. Feeding cattle directly and allowing manure to fertilize the grass improved nutrient use efficiency, but was not always more economical compared to fertilizing the grass directly. Replacing fertilizer with feed supplements is a viable management system to reduce nutrient losses from grazing systems. Abstract The objective was to examine the effects of dried distillers’ grains supplementation and fertilization strategies on the cattle performance and resource use efficiency of stocker cattle grazing on Plains Old World bluestem. Over 4 consecutive years, heifers and steers (average n = 239) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: (1) low input, low stocking density, and no fertilizer or distillers grains supplementation (LOW); (2) high stocking density and no fertilizer with distillers grains supplementation (DDGS); (3) high stocking density and 90 kg of nitrogen/ha with no distillers grains supplementation (NFERT); (4) high stocking density, 90 kg of nitrogen/ha, and 39 kg of phosphorus/ha with no distillers grains supplementation (NPFERT). Cattle grazed in the pastures from mid-May to mid-September each year, except for 2011, when the experiment ended in July due to lack of forage. Data were analyzed using a linear model with fixed effects of treatment, year, and treatment × year (R software). Nitrogen use efficiency (retained/inputs) was affected by a treatment × year interaction, where LOW had the greatest efficiency in all years and DDGS was greater than NFERT and NPFERT in all years except 2012, with NFERT and NPFERT being not different in all years. The estimated total carbon equivalent emissions were greater for DDGS, NFERT, and NPFERT than LOW, but the carbon footprint (kg CO2eq/kg weight gain) was lesser for LOW and DDGS, which were not different, than NFERT and NPFERT, which were also not different. Replacing nitrogen fertilizer with dried distiller’s grains improved the cattle performance and the efficiency of resource use, and could be a viable economic alternative to traditional systems.

PSIII-19 Soil nutrient profile from cool-season forages fertilized with manure from steers supplemented with titrated levels of dried distillers grains

Takeaway:

Moderate supplementation of steers with DDGS may yield soil nutrient benefits through nutrient deposition, with legumes having greater soil N than grasses.

Authors: A. R. Hines, Kacie Gray, J. Muir, B. Bellows, F. M. Rouquette, W. Smith

Year: 2021

Journal: Journal of Animal Science

Consensus Link: https://consensus.app/papers/psiii19-soil-nutrient-profile-coolseason-forages-hines/ae558aed6d3854638d6807051e5be31d/

Abstract:

Dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) is commonly used as supplemental feed in cattle rations. However, the systemic effects of overfeeding DDGS, especially to potential fertilizer benefits of pass-through nitrogen, are widely unknown. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate plant and soil response to fertilization with manure from steers supplemented with titrated levels of DDGS. Manure utilized was collected from steers supplemented with DDGS (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% BW) during a 2-yr experiment. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with an augmented factorial treatment structure wherein benches represented blocks. The factorial was made up of manure treatment (0, 0.25, 0.5, or 1% BW DDGS, chemical fertilizer, or none) soil type (Windthorst or Purves), and plant species (none, crimson clover, or rye). Pots were sown (5 seeds/pot) and grown in a greenhouse for 35 d. Water was applied daily at 90% evapotranspiration. After harvest, soils were sifted, dried for 72 h at 55°C, then assayed for C, N, NO3-N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, and S. There was an interaction of manure and soil type for soil C (P < 0.01). Purves soils amended with any manure had a greater (P < 0.05) concentration of C (1.8%) than did the negative control (1.3%). From Windthorst, soil C was greatest from 1% BW DDGS manure (1.9%), and least from 0% DDGS manure (1.5%), with 0.25 and 0.5% manures and the negative control intermediate. There was an interaction of manure, soil type, and forage for soil N (P < 0.01). Manures with higher levels of supplementation had greater (P < 0.05) soil N than lower levels of supplementation or the negative control. Legumes had greater soil N than grasses. Results are interpreted to mean that moderate supplementation of steers with DDGS may yield soil nutrient benefits through nutrient deposition.

Effects of supplement or fertiliser on forage quality, and performance of stocker cattle grazing warm-season pastures

Takeaway:

Both DDGS and FERT supplements improve forage quality and performance in stocker cattle grazing warm-season pastures, with FERT showing greater forage quality at various points in the study.

Authors: J. Rivera, M. Gipson, R. Gipson, R. Lemus

Year: 2017

Journal: Animal Production Science

Consensus Link: https://consensus.app/papers/effects-supplement-forage-quality-performance-stocker-rivera/c36ae96f965b58d592ee65fe7b307422/

Abstract:

Crossbred (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) beef steers (BW = 232.8 ± 14.6 kg; n = 90) were used over 3 years to examine the efficacy of N fertiliser compared with feed supplementation on forage quality, and animal production. Each year a new group of steers were weighed (unshrunk), and assigned to graze mixed warm-season perennial pastures (Cynodon dactylon and Paspalum notatum Flugge). Paddocks were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: no fertiliser and no supplement (NONE); supplement of 1.1 kg of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) per steer (DM basis) and no fertiliser (DDGS); or fertiliser (134 kg/ha of N applied in split applications) and no supplement (FERT). Cattle were individually weighed at Days 0, 56, 84, and at Day 126, Day 140, Day 93 for Years 1, 2 and 3, respectively). Data were analysed as a mixed model, treatment being used as a fixed effect, year and block as random effects and pasture as the experimental unit. No differences were noted in BW at any point of the study. Greater total average daily gain (ADG) for the grazing period was noted with FERT and DDGS having greatest ADG compared with NONE. Input costs differed (P = 0.001) among all treatments with FERT having the highest input costs, followed by DDGS and NONE. A tendency (P = 0.11) for lowest return was noted with steers in the FERT group returning the least amount of money. No differences (P > 0.10) were noted in forage biomass (kg/ha) at any point of the study. At Day 56, FERT had least ADF (P = 0.03), greatest (P = 0.01) crude protein, and the greatest (P = 0.01) total digestible nutrients (TDN) compared with DDGS and NONE. At Day 84, similar effects existed with FERT having greater crude protein and TDN compared with DDGS and NONE (P ≤ 0.04). No effects (P > 0.10) existed for the last day of sampling for ADF and TDN, however there was a tendency increase in final crude protein (P = 0.07) associated with FERT and DDGS compared with NONE. Results indicate that similar beef cattle performance might be expected if either DDGS or FERT were used, with FERT increasing forage quality at variable points within the study.

Effects of nitrogen fertilization and dried distillers grains supplementation: forage use and performance of yearling steers.

Takeaway:

Dried distillers grains supplementation effectively substitutes for nitrogen fertilizer, increasing yearling steer performance and stocking rates in smooth bromegrass pastures.

Authors: M. Greenquist, T. Klopfenstein, W. Schacht, G. Erickson, K. V. Pol, M. Luebbe, K. Brink, A. Schwarz, L. Baleseng

Year: 2009

Journal: Journal of animal science

Consensus Link: https://consensus.app/papers/effects-fertilization-dried-distillers-grains-forage-greenquist/08b42f2e3d31567c8c897e0bb5a13ce7/

Abstract:

In a 3-yr study, corn dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) were evaluated as a substitute for forage and N fertilizer in yearling steers grazing smooth bromegrass. A total of 135 steers (330 +/- 10 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design to measure the effects of DDGS supplementation and N fertilization on animal and pasture performance. Steers were initially stocked at 6.8 animal unit month (AUM)/ha on nonfertilized smooth bromegrass pastures (CONT), at 9.9 AUM/ha on smooth bromegrass pastures fertilized with 90 kg of N/ha (FERT), or at 9.9 AUM/ha on nonfertilized smooth bromegrass pastures with 2.3 kg of DDGS DM supplemented daily (SUPP). Paddock was the experimental unit, with 3 replications per year for 3 yr. Paddocks were strip-grazed and put-and-take cattle were used to maintain similar grazing pressure among treatment paddocks during the 160-d grazing season. In vitro DM disappearance declined quadratically (P < 0.01), whereas CP and standing crop showed cubic responses (P < 0.01) throughout the grazing season. Crude protein was greater (P < 0.05) for FERT compared with CONT and SUPP. Standing crop was 18% greater (P < 0.01) for FERT than CONT and was 10% greater (P < 0.01) than SUPP. Adjusted stocking rates (AUM/ha) were greater (P < 0.01) for FERT and SUPP compared with CONT. Final BW were greater (P < 0.01) for SUPP steers compared with CONT and FERT steers. Similar results were observed for ADG, with SUPP steers gaining more (P < 0.01) compared with CONT and FERT steers. Total BW gain per hectare was increased (P < 0.01) by 53% with FERT and by 105% with SUPP. Feedlot ADG was similar among treatments (P = 0.88), and SUPP steers maintained their BW advantage through the finishing phase. Dried distillers grains can be used to substitute effectively for N fertilizer by increasing the performance of yearling steers grazing smooth bromegrass and increasing stocking rates compared with nonfertilized pastures.

Profitability of Supplementing Dried Distillers’ Grains Cubes to Improve Animal Performance and Replace N Fertilizer for Steers Grazing Introduced Pastures

Takeaway:

Supplementing with DDGS or FS to improve animal performance in mixed tall fescue/bermudagrass pastures is not economically beneficial due to high supplementation costs and low supplemental efficiency.

Authors: J. Adams, R. Farris, S. Clawson, E. Ward, P. Beck

Year: 2021

Journal: Journal of Animal Science

Consensus Link: https://consensus.app/papers/profitability-supplementing-dried-distillers-grains-adams/93292b79a9825aa6bd35c99b438bfeb8/

Abstract:

During the summer grazing season, steers grazing introduced forages are oftentimes provided supplemental protein and energy to improve animal performance. However, it is important to determine if the additional supplementation is economically beneficial. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the profitability of supplementing dried distillers’ grains cubes (DDGS) to improve animal performance or replace the use of N fertilizer (112 kg N/ha from urea) for steers (n = 149; BW = 238 ± 13.8 kg) grazing mixed tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)/bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) pastures (n = 9 pastures, 7.2 ± 2.90 ha) from April 14 to September 17 (n = 155 d) using an enterprise budget analysis. Main plot supplemental treatments (n = 3 pastures/treatment) included 1) Fertilized Control (FC), no supplementation on fertilized pastures; 2) Fertilized Supplement (FS), 2.9 kg/steer DDGS supplemented 3-d/wk on fertilized pastures; and 3) Supplement (S), supplemental DDGS at 0.75% BW/d prorated for 5-d/wk feeding on unfertilized pastures. The assumptions used in this analysis were based on actual costs of inputs for pasture management and the DDGS offered, as well as the 5-year average Oklahoma auction market prices for 227 kg steers in April and 386 kg steers in October. Total cost per hectare was greater for S (P < 0.01), was least (P < 0.01) for FC, and FS was intermediate (P < 0.01). Cost per kg gain for FS and S was greater (P < 0.01) than for FC. Gross return per hectare tended to be greatest for S (P = 0.06), but net return per hectare was less for FS and S (P < 0.01) than FC. Although FS and S allowed for improvement of animal performance, our results imply that FC was the most profitable due to the cost of supplementation and low supplemental efficiency of S and FS.

Utilization of dry distillers grains and charcoal as nitrogen fertilizer in corn

Takeaway:

Dry distillers grains (DDGs) show potential as a nitrogen-rich fertilizer for corn, with DDGs being preferred for its nitrogen contribution, while char has no nitrogen contribution and no negative effects on grain yield.

Authors: Kyle J. Shroyer, S. Staggenborg, J. Propheter

Year: 2011

Journal: Agronomy Journal

Consensus Link: https://consensus.app/papers/utilization-distillers-grains-charcoal-fertilizer-corn-shroyer/4fa80f18a68d5b8591722e34d32f4a9b/

Abstract:

With the increase in bio-energy production there is also an increase in by-products. Without proper disposal, these by-products might cause future economic and/or ecological problems. Land application has potential as a disposal and/or nutrient cycling method if these by-products have nutritive value for agricultural crops. The purpose of the study was to compare the use of two by-products of bio-energy production, dry distillers grains (ethanol) and charcoal (pyrolysis), as fertilizer with urea in corn (Zea mays L.). The experiment consisted of four location-years in Kansas. Treatments were dry distiller’s grains (DDG) no-till and tilled for four location-years and char no-till and tilled for three location-years. No-till urea was used as a baseline for comparison at all location-years. The Nitrogen rates ranged from 45 to 180 kg N ha 1 . All source material was spring applied before tillage and planting. The corn yields for DDGs and urea were the almost the same across tillage treatments and locations. For DDG no-till, DDG tilled, and urea, the rates at which to achieve the same yields were 97, 111, 78 kg N ha -1 , respectively. Corn yields for char at all rates and tillage treatments were the same as no fertilizer. The char, because of immobilization or lack of decomposition, did not contribute to the nitrogen needs of the corn. Neither material showed any inhibitory or otherwise negative effects on the corn in terms of grain yield compared with the control. But both DDGs and char had to have large amounts of material applied to achieve the same amount of nitrogen as urea. Land application of DDGs and char has potential merit for disposal/nitrogen cycling with DDGs being preferred for its nitrogen contribution.

Does the use of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in layer diets affect the nutrients digestibility and manure pollution by nitrogen and phosphorous?

Takeaway:

DDGS can be used up to 50% in laying hen diets without adverse effects on nutrients digestibility and can reduce nitrogen and phosphorous pollution without affecting nutrient digestibility.

Authors: M. A. Abd El-Hack, M. El-Hindawy, A. Attia, K. Mahrose

Year: 2017

Journal: Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Consensus Link: https://consensus.app/papers/does-distiller-grains-solubles-ddgs-layer-diets-affect-elhack/e1f67a02c6a55a5a8b311b0585122ff4/

Abstract:

The objective of the current study was to examine the effect of the inclusion levels of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) which partially and fully replaced soybean meal (SBM) in laying hen diets with or without enzyme or vitamin E supplementation on nutrients digestibility and excreted nitrogen and phosphorous. For these purposes, a total of 180 Hisex Brown laying hens at 22 weeks of age were randomly distributed into 15 treatment groups in a 5 × 3 factorial design experiment including five levels of DDGS (0, 5.5, 11, 16.5 and 22% replaced for the same percent of SBM which represents 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% respectively in the diet) and three levels of feed additives (without, 250 mg enzyme/kg diet or 200 mg vitamin E/kg diet) through 22–42 weeks of age. Results revealed that digestion coefficient values of nutrients including DM, OM, CP, EE, NFE and CF were more preferable in hens fed diets involved 25% DDGS instead of SBM than that of the control diet and other treatment groups. In contrast, hens fed 100% substitution of DDGS caused significant (P ≤ 0.01) decrease in digestibility coefficients of all nutrients. The amount of daily excreted N was decreased in hens fed 25 or 50% DDGS substitution, whilst feeding 75 or 100% DDGS led to an elevation in N excretion. The proportion of excreted phosphorous was statistically (P ≤ 0.01) decreased as the level of DDGS increased. Generally, neither enzyme nor vitamin E supplementation had any significant effect on the studied parameters. It could be concluded that DDGS could be used up to 50% as a replacement of SBM (11% of the diet) without any adverse effects on nutrients digestibility. Laying hen farms using DDGS up to 25 or 50% substituted for SBM in its diets (5.5 or 11% of the diet) will have clearer environment of nitrogen and phosphorous pollution than others whose diets free of DDGS.

Environmentally friendly fertilizers: A review of materials used and their effects on the environment.

Takeaway:

Environmentally friendly fertilizers (EFFs) can improve nutrient efficiency and reduce environmental pollution by retarding nutrient release into soil, increasing soil organic matter, buffering soil acidity, and improving water-retention capacity.

Authors: Jiao Chen, Shaoyu Lü, Zhe Zhang, Xuxia Zhao, Xinming Li, Piao Ning, Mingzhu Liu

Year: 2018

Journal: The Science of the total environment

Consensus Link: https://consensus.app/papers/environmentally-fertilizers-review-materials-used-chen/03f39999ee1d57509a331751d743a394/

Abstract:

Fertilizer plays an important role in maintaining soil fertility, increasing yields and improving harvest quality. However, a significant portion of fertilizers are lost, increasing agricultural cost, wasting energy and polluting the environment, which are challenges for the sustainability of modern agriculture. To meet the demands of improving yields without compromising the environment, environmentally friendly fertilizers (EFFs) have been developed. EFFs are fertilizers that can reduce environmental pollution from nutrient loss by retarding, or even controlling, the release of nutrients into soil. Most of EFFs are employed in the form of coated fertilizers. The application of degradable natural materials as a coating when amending soils is the focus of EFF research. Here, we review recent studies on materials used in EFFs and their effects on the environment. The major findings covered in this review are as follows: 1) EFF coatings can prevent urea exposure in water and soil by serving as a physical barrier, thereby reducing the urea hydrolysis rate and decreasing nitrogen oxide (NOx) and dinitrogen (N2) emissions, 2) EFFs can increase the soil organic matter content, 3) hydrogel/superabsorbent coated EFFs can buffer soil acidity or alkalinity and lead to an optimal pH for plants, and 4) hydrogel/superabsorbent coated EFFs can improve water-retention and water-holding capacity of soil. In conclusion, EFFs play an important role in enhancing nutrients efficiency and reducing environmental pollution.

Novel bio-based composites of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)/distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS)

Takeaway:

Adding DDGS to PHA-based materials can significantly decrease the cost while maintaining mechanical properties and glass transition temperature for crop containers in the horticulture industry.

Authors: Hong-Wei Lu, S. Madbouly, J. Schrader, Michael Kessler, D. Grewell, W. Graves

Year: 2014

Journal: RSC Advances

Consensus Link: https://consensus.app/papers/novel-biobased-composites-polyhydroxyalkanoate-lu/094667d93cf35dcaa619e1132c4a3676/

Abstract:

The PHA/DDGS composite is a promising low-cost, bio-based material for use in crop containers for the horticulture industry. This research effort has quantified the effects on mechanical and thermal properties of adding different amounts of DDGS to a PHA matrix. PHA and DDGS were mixed using a twin-screw microcompounder. Fracture surface morphology and thermal and rheological properties were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and rheometer measurements. The adhesion between PHA and DDGS decreased with an increase in DDGS content from 10% to 30%. Melting temperature and crystalline temperature decreased with the increasing content of DDGS filler, indicating that PHA and DDGS interacted favorably. The complex viscosity and elastic shear modulus of the blends were increased by the increasing DDGS content. The storage modulus and glass transition temperature showed little change across the different ratios of DDGS, indicating that DDGS should be a useful filler that can decrease the cost of PHA-based materials significantly while preserving the dynamic mechanical properties and glass transition temperature.

Improving productive performance and mitigating harmful emissions from laying hen excreta via feeding on graded levels of corn DDGS with or without Bacillus subtilis probiotic

Takeaway:

Increasing DDGS inclusion in laying hen diets up to 10% and supplementing with probiotic bacteria improves productivity and reduces harmful emissions from chicken manure, making production more environmentally friendly.

Authors: M. A. Abd El-Hack, S. Mahgoub, M. Alagawany, E. Ashour

Year: 2017

Journal: Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition

Consensus Link: https://consensus.app/papers/improving-performance-mitigating-emissions-laying-elhack/5ed369a8936d54dcb17712d433b5a5ea/

Abstract:

An experiment that included some inclusions of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) with or without supplementation of probiotic bacteria to Hi-sex Brown laying hen diets was conducted to evaluate the impacts on performance, egg quality, blood metabolites and nitrogen and phosphorus excretion in the manure. A total of 216 twenty-two-week-old Hi-sex Brown laying hens were randomly divided into eight treatment groups in a factorial design (4 × 2) experiment, which included four levels of DDGS (0, 50, 100 and 150 g/kg diet) plus two levels of Bacillus subtilis probiotic (0 or 1000 mg/kg diet, with a concentration of 1.5 × 108 CFU/g of dried product). The experimental period extended from 22 to 34 weeks of age. The results showed that linear increase in DDGS level up to 150 g/kg improved (p ≤ 0.01) the values of feed consumption, egg shape index and yolk colour compared to the control and other treatment groups. Inclusion of dietary DDGS up to 150 g/kg in layer diets led to a significant decrease in egg mass and a significant increase in Haugh unit score compared to other groups. In the bacillus group, the values of feed conversion, egg weight and egg mass enhanced by 6.45, 3.27 and 7.60% respectively compared with the control diet. Total protein, albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, calcium and ammonia in serum were significantly (p ≤ 0.01) influenced by DDGS inclusion. The excreted nitrogen decreased by 8.62 and 4.31% in hens fed 50 or 100 g/kg of DDGS respectively, while excreted phosphorous decreased by 3.33, 7.22 and 10.56% in hens fed 50, 100 or 150 g/kg of DDGS respectively as compared to the control group. It could be concluded that increasing DDGS inclusion level in the diet up to 10% and the supplementation of probiotic bacteria improved the productive performance of laying hens and mitigated the harmful emissions from chicken manure; this means better production within environmentally friendly conditions.

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