What do cattle eat? How byproducts bolster cattle diets.

I don’t know about you, but I have to admit that when I heard that farmers feed their cattle byproducts I really didn’t understand what that meant. All I knew was that it didn’t sound good to me, especially if that byproduct came from an ethanol plant! When I hear the word ethanol, I think of gasoline so I was really confused on what the byproduct was. However, while on a tour at the Adams Farm in Sandwich, Illinois, I was pleasantly surprised to learn what these byproducts actually are and how they were used to feed cattle.

Byproduct One: Distillers Grain

The byproduct from ethanol distilleries is known as distillers grains (often referred to as DDGS). When corn is used to make ethanol, they only use the starch portion of the grain, so the byproducts are the corn germ (the heart of the corn kernel), oil, and the outer seed shell.

The fermentation of the grain in the ethanol production process makes these byproducts into a high-protein, high-fat and high-fiber product that cattle like. In addition, distillers grain is higher in fiber and protein content than typical corn grain, providing valuable nutrients and energy to cows. Feeding distillers grain takes advantage of products that would otherwise go to waste.

Byproduct Two: Sweet Corn Cobs and Husks

Another byproduct used in feed is from a local Del Monte vegetable plant and a seed corn plant. After the sweet corn is harvested and the kernels are removed, both the cob and the husk are left over.

This sweet corn byproduct is mixed with the leftover husks from a seed corn plant. Then, the husks ferment in a bunker silo. This fermented mixture is used as part of the cattle’s feed ration.

Rather than let the husks and cobs go to waste, farmers can convert it into feed for their cattle, making it a win-win-win situation for the farmers, the cattle and the vegetable plant.

Byproduct Three: Molasses

A third type of byproduct used in cattle feeding comes from a sugar refinery in the form of molasses, which is mixed with a vitamin/mineral supplement that the cattle receive. Molasses provides energy, nutrients, and improves fiber digestion in cattle. Plus, it is tasty!

These are just some of many ways farmers are able to make best use of resources while providing good care to their livestock. All of these byproducts would normally just go to waste, but the cow’s unique digestive system allows a farmer to utilize them for feed in addition to the grass that the cattle graze on in the pasture and the other feedstuffs they enjoy at the feedbunk.

Still curious about cattle diets? Learn more about why cows eat corn.