By Colin Tobin
Across North Dakota, ethanol and oilseed crush facilities are operating at full steam. The renewable biofuel designation has increased fuel demand and processing capacity, and commodity production is expanding to meet demand.
Coproducts of biofuel production include, but are not limited to, distillers grains, soybean meal, and canola meal. According to beef nutritional models (NASEM), distillers grains contain 30%, soybean meal 46%, and canola meal 40% crude protein. Distillers grains are now the #1 coproduct fed in the U.S., surpassing soybean meal after the ethanol boom of the early 2000s.
Recently, at the Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC), we fed finishing steers diets utilizing distillers grains, soybean meal, and canola meal as the protein supplement in a 62 Mcal ration. Formulated to 13.5% protein, we were interested in how each coproduct would affect calf performance throughout the winter.
We received 251 calves sourced from across North Dakota through multiple owners associated with the Dakota Feeder Calf Show Feedout Program. These calves were on feed for up to 170 days. Throughout the feedout, we recorded weights every 28 days to assess performance and increase owner engagement. Please reach out for more information on the Dakota Feeder Calf Show.
We observed greater overall gains in calves fed canola meal compared to those fed soybean meal. Additionally, calves fed canola meal showed increased intramuscular fat deposition, leading to higher yield grades. No differences in marbling were detected among the diets. For more information, please see our annual report at: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/publications/finishing-calves-north-dakota-protein-coproducts-effects-canola-meal-dried.
We are currently feeding increasing levels of coproducts to understand benefits of high protein for high quality North Dakota cattle.
Peak lactation for beef cows occurs around 60 days postpartum, which for March-born herds, falls in May. At that time, most cattle are still being fed while waiting for greener pastures. Each day up to the 60-day mark, energy and protein demands increase. Utilizing coproducts allows producers to meet the changing nutritional needs of beef cows, optimizing lactation while preparing for rebreeding.
Each coproduct offers a unique crude protein content and amino acid profile. For example, compared to distillers grains, the protein in canola meal contains 63% more arginine, 122% more histidine, 78% more isoleucine, and 224% more lysine. Combining coproducts can provide a more complete amino acid profile, optimizing animal performance.
This calving season at the Carrington Research Extension Center, we will investigate lactational responses in first-calf heifers fed different coproducts. The dairy industry, for example, has demonstrated increased milk production when cattle are fed canola meal. Until the calves are weaned, we will monitor changes in milk yield, milk composition, and calf growth performance, along with the post-weaning potential of our steers and heifers.
Join us for our annual CREC Field Day on July 22, 2025, to hear initial results.
Source : ndsu.edu