Relative Feeding Value of Wet Corn Distillers Solubles as a Feed for Finishing Cattle

For 126 days, 850 lb. steers were fed diets of corn, corn silage, and ground hay containing either 0%, 4%, or 8% wet distillers solubles obtained from an Iowa dry mill ethanol plant. Addition of distillers solubles resulted in a linear decrease in feed consumption. Gains were increased 3.2% and decreased 6.4% by feeding 4% and 8% distillers solubles, respectively. Compared to the control diet, feed required per pound of gain was reduced 5% by low levels of distillers solubles and 1.5% by high levels. Feeding distillers solubles had no effect on carcass measurements. It was concluded that wet distillers solubles has value as a feed for cattle and can replace a portion of corn grain and supplemental nitrogen in a corn-based finishing diet for beef cattle. The decreased performance of steers fed the 8% level suggests that there might be a maximum amount of wet distiller solubles that can be fed to finishing cattle.