By Scout Nelson
Alternative fuels, a budding industry in North Dakota, have unexpectedly benefited livestock producers. Thanks to the demand for renewable diesel from soybeans and canola, and ethanol from corn, a new market opens up: co-products like canola meal, distillers grains, and soybean meal. With protein being a pricey component in cattle diets, this offers a valuable avenue for producers.
Beef cattle's dietary needs are complex. They need metabolizable protein, a mix of easily digestible protein in the rumen, protein that bypasses the rumen, and remnants from microbes. When their diet centers around corn or barley, extra protein is important. This ensures optimal growth, especially in crucial stages like when they're freshly weaned.
Studies shed light on the benefits of these co-products. For instance, soybean meal, canola meal, and distillers grains have different protein levels and varying digestibility rates. Recommendations propose an optimal balance between easily digestible and bypass protein.
In the forthcoming seasons, the CREC Livestock Unit plans to further explore the potential of these co-products, feeding them at different protein concentrations. While past studies, like the one from Good, et al. (2017), didn't detect significant differences between canola and soybean meals, more research is on the horizon.
For those keen to utilize this opportunity, it's recommended to collaborate with local NDSU County Extension Agents and specialists to find the best co-products and balance rations effectively.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-diane-kuhl
Categories: North Dakota, Livestock, Beef Cattle