Dried Distillers Grain with Solubles (DDGS)

Dried Distillers Grain with Solubles (DDGS) is a coproduct of the conventional (corn) ethanol process of dry-grind facilities which utilize the starch from corn to produce ethanol. The remainder of the corn kernel is harvested to make a variety of products including wet and dried distillers grains which include DDGS. Due to its high energy, mid-protein and high digestible phosphorus content, DDGS is an excellent ingredient to animal feed.  Additionally, it is traditionally cheaper than similar alternatives such as corn or soybean meal. The proper utilization of DDGS in animal feed produces excellent results in animal health, performance and food-product quality.

In a dry-mill, grind ethanol production, each bushel of corn (25.4 kg) produces about 11.8 L of ethanol, 7.7 kg of DDGS, and carbon dioxide which is harvested for commercial use or storage. Each ethanol facility has the ability to customize their process in order to make a portfolio of byproducts outside of its ethanol production. This causes the DDGS market to produce a wide variety of products in composition of biochemical make-up. To understand the implications of inconsistent product, a laboratory analysis can be performed to verify that guaranteed nutritional requirements are met and also determine the nutrient composition while detecting any potential contaminants.

Currently there are no grading systems that quantify and regulate the quality standards of DDGS. Historically, color has been used as an indicator of the amount of heat damage, and consequently, amino acid digestibility. As a result, color has been used to qualify the value of DDGS, however it is highly subjectable and not always a true indicator of reduced amino acid digestibility. Many different factors influence color in DDGS and should not be used to measure the quality of the animal feed ingredient.

To learn more about the important factors influencing DDGS quality, refer to the US Grains Council’s DDGS User Handbook.

2018 DDGS Nutritional Survey

In July 2018, the NCERC project management team conducted an online survey to better understand the needs of the DDGS market. The survey was sent to animal nutritionists, feed buyers, DDGS marketers, and other related professionals in the DDGS industry, and quanitifed their needs as it relates to data and nutritonal analysis of DDGS. To view the results of the survey, click here. To view the full report generated by NCERC intern, Krista Rusell, click here.