NCGA Pamphlet Highlights Advantages of Feeding Distillers Grains (7-17-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has produced a pocket-sized reference guide for basic distillers grains feedings recommendations for livestock.

The 16-page pamphlet highlights the advantages of feeding distillers grains to cattle, dairy beef, dairy, poultry, swine and sheep. Each section breaks down the maximum dietary inclusion levels for rations and notes the keys to best utilization of distillers grains. Each section also provides contact information for additional questions on feeding recommendations.

Distillers grains are a coproduct of ethanol production. More than 9 million metric tons of distillers grains and 5 billion gallons of ethanol are projected to be produced by the end of 2006.

“NCGA’s distillers grains brochure is an excellent reference guide to hand out to livestock producers, corn producers, or any agriculture group, such as 4-H or Future Farmers of America,” said Bill Chase, chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “With the ever-growing ethanol industry producing more high-quality, high-protein distillers grains, this brochure provides feeding recommendations and reasons why livestock producers should consider utilizing distillers grains in livestock rations.”

The brochure is a shorter version of NCGA’s “Distillers Grains Feeding Recommendations,” which was released in October 2005. That manual is available on NCGA’s Web site, www.ncga.com, and provides background on the research associated with feeding recommendations.

“This is a concise, handy pamphlet,” Chase said. “An important aspect is that it contains contact information regarding feeding recommendations for each livestock group. That will be extremely beneficial to livestock producers searching for additional information.”

Growers and state associations can order the brochure by calling Mel Gibson in NCGA’s St. Louis office at (636) 733-9004 .