Feeding Value of High Protein Corn Distillers Dried Grains
Two chick experiments were conducted to determine the nutrient digestibility of high-protein corn distillers dried grains (HP-DDG; 54% CP) after feeding semi purified diets from 15 to 22 day of age. In the first experiment, they reported apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen values (AME(n)) for HP-DDG was 2,526 kcal/kg, and standardized ileal lysine, methionine, and threonine digestibilities of 73.0, 84.9, and 73.0%, respectively for the HP-DDG product. In a second experiment, an industry control diet regimen was compared with that of either an approximate 25 or 50% replacement for the level of 48% CP soybean meal in the diet utilizing the amino acid and energy digestibility values determined in the first experiment. To meet digestible amino acid needs, the diet containing 50% SBM replacement with HP-DDG contained 3.2, 3.6, and 4.4% units more CP than the I diet regimen from 1 to 14, 14 to 28, and 28 to 42 days of age, respectively. Dietary replacement of up to 50% of SBM inclusion with HP-DDG had no effect on bird performance at 14 or 42 days of age or breast fillet yield at 42 day of age; however, it decreased BW gain and increased feed:gain ratio from 14 to 28 day of age. Birds consuming a diet with 50% replacement of SBM with HP-DDG consumed 17.1% more nitrogen compared with those consuming the control diets. This additional nitrogen and fiber consumed resulted in birds being fed the 50% replacement for SBM diet excreting 21.9 and 31.8% more manure dry matter and nitrogen, respectively. Due to the ability to supplement with amino acids and digestibility of HP-DDG, use of this feedstuff as a large proportion of the diet is feasible but results in more manure and environmental problems for the poultry producer. (The bottom line is the nutritionist has the option to use several different feed ingredients based on availability, composition and price; the optimum formulation will be cost-effective and support optimum bird performance).

Apllegate, T.J. and co-workers. 2009. The nutritional value of high-protein corn distillers dried grains for broiler chickens and its effect on nutrient excretion. Poultry Sci. 2: 354-359.

A New Bulletin Helps Aquaculture Industry Embrace Sustainable Soy-Based Feeds
The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) released the Soy Protein Concentrate Technical Bulletin for Aquaculture Feeds to inform aquaculture producers about the use of Soy Protein Concentrate (SPC) in aquaculture feeds. The bulletin outlines how SPC is manufactured, provides current information on types of SPC available and indicates the type of SPC most suitable for use in aquaculture. Aquaculture producers are seeking more efficient and sustainable ways to cultivate healthy fish species while still satisfying a continually growing demand. The static supply of fishmeal, a traditional staple protein in high quality aquaculture feeds, is insufficient to meet the growing feed protein needs of the aquaculture industry. SPC is a renewable plant protein product that can help reduce pressure on natural fisheries stock and provide a sustainable way to satisfy growing demand for aquatic products. SPC is gaining acceptance by the aquaculture industry as a protein alternative for fishmeal as research indicates that it serves as a high quality protein product for use in aquafeeds for many marine fish, marine shrimp and fingerling diets of freshwater fish. USSEC supports an international aquaculture program that promotes the benefits of soy-based fish feeds. This program ensures the continued growth of these environmentally friendly, sustainable feeds in the world’s fastest growing sector of animal agriculture.

U.S. Soybean Export Council. www.ussoyexports.org