Die Bodenkultur - Journal for Land Management, Food and Environment

A. Steinwidder, R. Stögerer, L. Grober and K. Buchgraber:

 

Conservation of pressed brewers grains and their utilization in cattle feeding

3. Use of pressed brewers ensiled grains or brewers dried grains in fattening bulls

Summary

In two cattle fattening experiments pressed brewers ensiled grains and brewers dried grains, respectively were compared with conventional protein concentrates. In both experiments corn silage was fed ad libitum. In trial 1 twenty four Simmental bulls were fed with pressed brewers ensiled grains (BTS) or soybean meal (SOJA) as a protein concentrate beginning at an initial live weight of 350 kg. Fifteen bulls were used in trial 2 using a 3 x 3 lacin square design to compare protein sources BTS or brewers dried grains (BTT) and a conventional protein concentrate (PKF)consisting of each 25 % soybean meal, rapeseed meal, faba beans and peas. Each period consisted of a 7 day adjustment period followed by 49 days of evaluation. In both experiments feed and energy intake was lower in the BTS group. But differences were significant only in experiment 2 because of high standard deviations in experiment 1. Energy intake in experiment 2 was 102,9 (PKF), 102,6 (BTT) and 93,5 (BTS) MJ ME per day. In both experiments daily weight gains were lower in the BTS group, but, again, differences were not significant (P = 0,10, P =0,12) because of high standard deviations. In experiment 1 daily weight gains were 1192 g (SOJA) and 1054 g (BTS). In experiment 2 the daily gains decreased from 1355 (PKF) to 1274 (BTT) and 1103 g (BTS). Comparable results were determined for feed conversion. In experiment 1 significantly lower dressing percentages were found for group BTS. Key words:  Brewers grains, fattening hulls, feed intake, fattening performance.