Author
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Aiken, Glen |
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Submitted to: Cow Country News
Publication Type: Popular Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 1/22/2016 Publication Date: 2/1/2016 Citation: Aiken, G.E. 2016. From the Lab Bench: By- or Co-Product Feeds…What’s the Difference?. Cow Country News. Pgs. 52-53. Interpretive Summary: Concentrate feeds have for decades been the major source of supplemental nutrients to pastured cattle, but high and unstable feed ingredient markets have generated more interest in by-product or co-product feeds, which have been grouped together as alternative feeds. The difference between by-product and co-product feeds primarily depends on how the processing plant treats a particular by-product generated during the production or processing of a higher value food, feed, or fiber. By-products generated from processing vegetables, fruits, grains, or fiber (cotton) can have value as a feed for cattle. If a particular by-product is treated by the processing plant as a nuisance waste and the plant wants it disposed at no cost, so the by-product can be offered at no cost or at a price to cover the cost of handling and storage. The volume of production and demand can be high enough, however, to make it cost effective to process (typically by drying) the by-product and selling it as a co-product. For example, if you periodically obtain a free tank of wet distiller’s grains from a local distiller, then you are feeding a by-product feed. On the other hand, if you purchase a bulk supply of dried distiller’s grains produced by a high volume distillation plant then you are feeding a co-product. Therefore, the difference between by- and co-product feeds is that a co-product is regarded as having profit potential for the processor and a by-product does not. Technical Abstract: Concentrate feeds have for decades been the major source of supplemental nutrients to pastured cattle, but high and unstable feed ingredient markets have generated more interest in by-product or co-product feeds, which can be grouped together as “alternative feeds”. A column was written that discusses the difference between by-product and co-product feeds. It primarily depends on how the processing plant treats a particular by-product generated during the production or processing of a higher value food, feed, or fiber. By-products generated from processing vegetables, fruits, grains, or fiber (cotton) can have value as a feed for cattle. If a particular by-product is treated by the processing plant as a nuisance waste and the plant wants it disposed at no cost, so the by-product can be offered at no cost or at a price to cover the cost of handling and storage. The volume of production and demand can be high enough, however, to make it cost effective to process (typically by drying) the by-product and selling it as a co-product. Differences in nutrient composition between alternative feeds are critically important to understand when deciding which alternative feed can best meet your needs. Why put time, effort, and money into an alternative feed if it fails to contribute those nutrients that are limited in the pasture forage or hay. |
