Commodity feeds are typically co-products of a process which extracts, converts, or separates compounds from an agricultural commodity and results in products which go to various segments of the food or feed industry. Examples of commodity products include hulls and meals from oilseed extraction; spent distillers or brewers grains from beverage or fuel ethanol production; brans, germs, and chaff from various grain milling operations; as well as fermented/enzymatically cleaved sugars, starches, and bran from sweetener production; along with pulps from sweetener or juice production. Another class of commodity feeds include various industrial food wastes which vary in nutritional value including potato wastes, snack food waste (corn and potato chips, pretzels, etc.), fruit and vegetable cannery waste, bakery feeds, candy processing wastes, and chocolate wastes. This article will focus on co-products from agriculture products; however, the general concepts can be applied to the latter group of bulk feeds as well.

Commodity Considerations
Some general considerations for the use of commodity feeds involve the livestock operation size as well as feed storage and handling capabilities. The general number of cattle needed to effectively use commodity feeds is approximately 150 dairy cows or 200 beef cows. This minimum size enables bulk quantities of commodity feeds to be used in an amount of time which will capture the maximum nutrient value from these feeds as well as prevent spoilage from occurring due to extended storage time. Bulk quantities of commodities range from 18-26 tons per truckload. It is important to use commodities in bulk, as this is where the majority of the feed cost savings occurs. If smaller quantities are delivered, the savings versus a mixed or manufactured feed drop significantly.

Shrink
Shrink, in many instances, can exceed 15-20% for dry commodities which are not properly stored in sheds or are not covered when stored outside on the ground. Wind losses are the primary culprit in many cases, especially with commodities that are light and bulky, such as loose soyhulls or wheat midds. In many cases, bin storage of pelleted commodities can reduce shrink to less than 2% and makes handling extremely flexible.

Dry Commodities
Most dry commodity feeds are available in loose (meal, shreds, or cake) or pelleted forms. Pellets offer several advantages including reduced freight, reduced shrink, and easier handling. Pelleting enables many commodities to be more resistant to moisture and humidity accumulation, which can extend shelf life and help reduce mold formation. The disadvantages include a reduction in particle size and, potentially, some decrease in amino acid or vitamin bioavailability. Protein bypass values can be increased in some instances with proper pelleting, especially with some oilseed protein meals.

Wet Commodities
Wet commodities are typically available in a loose shred or meal form. Losses as high as 30% can occur with wet commodities when stored improperly, especially when the wet portion is allowed to drain away. Some wet commodities (brewers grains, corn gluten feed, and beet or citrus pulp shreds) are now available partially dried or dewatered (squeezed/pressed) to enhance handling and storage characteristics. These forms are priced higher, but the extra cost is more than offset by higher retained nutrient values. The main considerations when utilizing wet commodities include:

• Handling and storage.

• Price per unit of nutrient on a dry basis compared to dry feeds.

• Feeding rate of the product relative to their shorter shelf life.

• Consistency of nutrient profile.

In many cases, proximity to the manufacturing plant impacts the feasibility of utilizing wet commodities. Utilization of wet commodities is typically practical within a 150-mile radius of a plant. Longer distances are more cost-prohibitive due to freighting commodities with a high water content.

Considerations for Utilizing Specific Commodities:

Whole Oilseeds
Canola, soybeans, or sunflowers are sometimes fed as whole oilseeds, but are usually roasted or ground prior to feeding to increase digestibility by the animal or to overcome some antinutritive components like trypsin inhibitor in soybeans or glucosinolates in canola. The most prohibitive factor in feeding whole oilseeds is the amount of free oil present in these seeds and its rate of release into the rumen. One exception is the feeding of upland or fuzzy cottonseed. The lint on these seeds allows for a greater rumen retention time, increased chance for rumination, and slower release of fat into the rumen. Gossypol (an antinutritive factor in cottonseed) is not diminished unless the seed is further processed as in oil extraction. A properly functioning rumen is capable of handling these antinutritive compounds at practical feeding levels. Oilseeds should be treated as any other grain—foreign matter, molds, or fungus, as well as broken seeds should be kept to a minimum.

Oilseed Meals
Oilseed meals, such as soybean, sunflower, cottonseed, or canola, are produced predominantly by solvent extraction plants in the U.S. These meals are also produced on a limited basis from mechanical extraction, which leaves a greater amount of oil in the lower protein meal. The higher oil content can limit ration inclusion rates. Conversely, the energy levels are higher in mechanically extracted meals and bypass protein values may also be higher. The protein meal left after oil extraction is typically standardized by inclusion of some hull or bran from the original oilseed. Attention to protein level is normally the main quality control measure with these products. Proper processing and heating through the desolventizer toaster/dryer cooler (DTDC) system normally minimizes the antinutritive components found in these seeds. Musty odors, mold, or chunks found in meal loads would indicate improper storage and handling of these products.

Soybean Hulls
Soybean hulls are the outer portions of the soybean which are partially removed during the processing of beans into meal. More soybean hulls are available today compared to 15 years ago since most of the current soybean processing produces 47.5-48% crude protein meal. Soy hulls are very digestible and provide approximately 75% of the energy value of corn without the starch. They can be utilized to reduce the fiber needs in some high-concentrate rations. Pelleting enhances the handling characteristics, but does not decrease the digestibility or passage rate if properly processed. Protein level should not be less than 8% and excessive foreign matter should not be present.

Cottonseed Hulls
Cottonseed hulls are the outer coverings of the cottonseed which are removed prior to solvent extraction. They typically have had a small portion of the cellulose linters removed prior to removal from the cottonseed meat. Cottonseed hulls are high in cellulose and hemicellulose and are highly palatable. Handling characteristics are enhanced with pelleting and no decrease in fiber value occurs with pelleting. Cottonseed hulls are an excellent roughage source despite their length and remain in the rumen mat for an extended period of time. They are a useful roughage extender when hay is in short supply. Musty smell and presence of mold are indicators of improper handling. Due to less processing of cottonseed nation-wide, hulls will continue to be in short supply and marginally cost-effective for most dairy rations.

Distillers Grains
Distillers grains with or without addition of solubles from the fermentation process are becoming increasingly available as fuel ethanol production continues to expand. Distillers grains are the protein, fat, and fiber portion of the grain that has been fermented to make ethanol from grain starch. Wet distillers grains needs to be evaluated based on moisture content and price per unit of protein and energy on a comparative 88-90% dry matter basis. Storage life will be longer in the winter (7-14 days) compared to summer (3-5 days). Protein and energy levels are higher in distillers that contain the solubles although the addition of these sugars and proteins may darken the product, especially when dried. Distillers grains also contain many solubles and cell bodies from the yeast used in the fermentation process. Corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) should have a minimum of 25% crude protein and 8% crude fat. Distillers grains without solubles added back may be lighter in color, but typically have a lower nutrient value. For this reason, distillers grains without solubles should be discounted due to its lower nutritional value.

Corn Gluten Feed
Corn gluten feed is produced when corn is mechanically and enzymatically broken down to make corn sweeteners and other food ingredients. Gluten feed has a higher protein and fat content compared to corn grain. It consists of the bran, germ, and solubles from the corn grain left after enzymatic removal of starch. Protein content can vary from different sources based on the amount of solubles that are replaced. Fat content also may vary depending on whether or not the germ is extracted. Corn gluten feed should contain a minimum of 18% crude protein and 2% crude fat.

Wheat Products
Wheat bran, midds, shorts, and red dog are produced during the milling of wheat into flour. These are all different fractions from the flour stream and are differentiated by fiber level and starch content. These commodities are bulky, light feeds and can be used in place of grain in the diet due to energy content. Wheat middlings sold in the marketplace are typically a combination of these fractions and have a maximum fiber content of 9.5%. Pelleting improves handling and storage, reduces shrink, and retards moisture absorption. Mold can develop quickly if moisture is present due to the starch content. High-fiber content will indicate excessive bran or foreign matter contamination. Variability from source to source can be especially bothersome with this commodity due to very different milling operations. Newer mills produce a more consistent and lower starch content product than older facilities.

Rice Products
Rice bran and hulls are the outer layers removed during the milling of rice. Rice hulls are bulky and loose and even when ground are very indigestible. Rice hulls are usually used as a carrier in some mineral and feed premixes. Rice bran is the outer layer of the rice kernel removed during the polishing process in rice milling and contains broken bits of rice, bran, and rice germ as well as starch removed during the abrasive polishing process. Rice bran quality can easily be determined by measuring fatty acid content. Rice bran contains a lipase which is activated upon exposure of the germ and bran to air and unless deactivated by heat and moisture will quickly turn the fat present rancid, resulting in an unpalatable feed. Modern mills stabilize the bran after milling by putting it through an expander. The free fatty acid level of stabilized rice bran should not exceed 4%. Some mills also remove the fat which, while increasing the shelf life and palatability, decreases the energy value of rice bran. Defatted rice bran should have a protein content not less than 14% and fiber content not exceeding 14%. Rice bran should not have a fiber content above 13%. Rice mill feed is a combination of rice bran and rice hulls.

Citrus Pulp
Citrus pulp is a combination of rind, seeds, and fleshy portions of the fruit remaining after juicing. It should have a sweet citrus smell and be free of mold. Pelleting and drying have expanded the range of availability of this fibrous byproduct and may be available coast to coast during the height of the juicing season. Wet citrus pulp is normally available within 100 miles of juicing facilities and can have a shelf life of up to three weeks.

Sugar Beet Pulp
Sugar beet pulp is the residue left after removal of the sugar from the sugarbeet and is free of crowns, leaves, and sand as processing allows. If molasses is added back, it will enhance the energy content. Dried shreds and pellets have similar feeding characteristics although particle size is reduced in pelleting. Beet pulp fiber is readily fermented in the rumen and is used to enhance milk butterfat test. Beet pulp should have a slightly earthy smell, but not musty or moldy. Wet beet pulp is usually available during a short period near beet processing plants. Demand for dried product will limit availability of the wet form. Wet beet pulp has a shelf life of up to 10 days.

Summary
Commodity feeds can play a role in reducing the overall feed costs of a dairy operation. Consistency of nutrient content, availability, storage, shrink, and handling considerations should be determined before including a commodity in the ration. Determining the typical nutrient composition of a commodity feed and developing a relationship with the commodity manufacturer or supplier is essential to cost-effectively and properly incorporate a commodity into a ration. The cost of cheap feeds can be expensive in terms of cow health, lost production, and overall profitability.

 

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