Variation in the Composition of Distillers Dried Grains

The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center collected distiller dried grain with solubles (DDGS) samples from forty ethanol plants over a year period. These 40 plants represent one third of the dry-grind plants in the U.S. and their geographical distribution was similar to the national distribution. The moisture, crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), neutral-detergent fiber (NDF) and fermentable sugars (FS) were measured using either American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) recommended methods or modified AOAC methods. The use of recommended analytical methods for DDGS reduced the variability caused by analytical testing. Plant processing conditions and the characteristics of the corn also contribute to variability among DDGS samples.



Zhang, Y., J. Sido and B. Wrenn. 2008. Nutritional profile of distillers dried grains with solubles from 40 ethanol plants. J. Anim. Sci. 86:532/J. Dairy Sci. 91:532 (Abstract 587).