In distillers grains, sulfur build-up occurs due to an additive effect associated with typical processing practices. Ethanol producers can improve the marketability of their distillers grains by consciously trying to minimize sulfur additions whenever possible.
Such results could cause major damage to a plant’s reputation and reduce the price they command for its distillers grains. Sulfur is an essential macro-mineral for all livestock species. It is contained in essential amino acids such as methionine and cystine and is also found Tom Slunecka, in the B-vivice president of tamins, thimarketing, Phibro amine and Animal Health Corp. Ethanol biotin. The Performance 2005 NaGroup
How much is too much?
tional Research Council guidelines recommend a 0.3 percent total dietary sulfur on a dry matter basis for livestock consuming high concentrate rations, such as feedlot cattle and 0.5 percent total dietary sulfur on a dry matter basis for livestock consuming forage-based rations, such as beef cows. Sulfur can come from the following sources: Distillers grains Water supply Other feed additives In distillers grains, sulfur build-up occurs due to an additive effect associated with typical processing practices. Corn contains about 0.12 percent sul-
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln recently compiled data from experiments on ethanol byproduct feeding conducted over the past several years at the university’s research feedlot in Mead, Neb. More than 4,000 cattle, including calf-fed and yearling cattle, were used for the feeding studies. According to the published report, data showed that the incidence of polioencephalomalacia (polio) was very minimal when the animals’ diets contained 0.46 percent or less of sulfur. When levels of sulfur increased to amounts greater than 0.56 percent the incidences of polio also increased. Researchers found that of the 4,143 cattle used for the experiment, a total of 23 cattle were classified as having polio. The majority of polio cases resulted from an experiment in which the cattle were fed a diet that contained 0.47 percent sulfur and no roughage. Cattle which were fed a diet consisting of 0.46 percent sulfur or less fared better – only three of 2,147 animals were diagnosed with polio. After conducting several test runs, the researchers concluded that phosphoric acid could be safely substituted for sulfuric acid in ethanol production, however the amount and cost of phosphoric acid needed for production likely limits the feasibility of its use. SOURCE: 2009 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Institute of Agriculture & Natural Resources.
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