A:   We have developed replacement heifers using DDGS fed at .6% of body weight on a dry matter basis. We added some limestone (2%) becasue distillers grains are high in phosphorus (2007 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, og to beef.unl.edu then click on Reprots). At the level mentioned above, we did not have concerns with sulfur, but made sure we had plenty of bunk space so that all heifers had a chance at their share. Reproductive performance of distillers fed heifers was above indusrty averages. Make sure you buy grain byproducts economically. Following is a way to price compare.

Dry distillers grains = 115 to 120% of corn (research - Loy at Nebraska found 125 in forage diets, Ham at Nebraska found a little less)

Wet corn gluten feed (Blair, meaning a 50:50 split in steep and bran) = 105 to 110% of corn

WCGF (ADM) = 95 to 100%

Dry corn gluten feed = 80 to 90%

These are all as % of Dry Rolled Corn. You can then equalize them to a TDN or a NE basis by multiplication.

I think the easiest thing is to compare DDGS and WDGS (dry and wet, respectively) to your other protein and energy sources. The easiest thing to compare to is your corn price. If you can purchase either form of distillers at 90 to 95% of corn price (comparing them at equal comparisons on a DM basis), then it is a good buy and should be used as an energy source (fed at high levels to get extra energy and also use the protein for free). If you are purchasing protein and phosphorus in you current supplements, my guess is that DDGS or WDGS would be a great buy in most situations. However, you would have to compare to your current supplement cost.

I would recommend you use WDGS if you can purchase it at a reasonable price. Reasonable is 90% or so of your corn price, on a DM basis. To calculate this, convert corn price to a dry ton price by dividing your bushel price by 56 (lb/bushel) to get as-fed lb, then divide by .85 to adjust to completely dry and take out the 15% moisture, then multiply by 2000 to get to a price per ton of DM. Then, take the price and divide by their DM percentage to get to a dry ton. For example, they may say $35 per ton at 35% DM, so divide $35 by 0.35 to get $100/ton of DM.

You could also compare them on a $/lb of nutrient basis. So if corn is 90% TDN, then WDDGS would be at least 112.5% TDN (WDDGS TDN at 125% that of corn). Get both on a 100% dry matter basis and determine the pounds of TDN in a ton on dry matter basis. Get both feeds priced on a $/ton. You could then compare them on a $/lb of TDN basis.