In the past couple years, several methods of ethanol co-product storage, particularly for WDGS, have been investigated by University of Nebraska Lincoln researchers and cattle producers (Erickson et al., 2008). Previous research has established that WDGS will not spoil over an extended period of time (usually greater than two weeks in the summer and four weeks in the spring, fall, and winter) if oxygen is eliminated. Because WDGS contains high levels of moisture (generally 35 percent dry matter), it was previously thought that this co-product could not be stored in a bunker silo or be packed. Furthermore, WDGS itself does not store well in silo bags because pressure cannot be easily and efficiently applied (Adams, Klopfenstein, and Erickson, 2006).

Based on the evaluation of WDGS mixed with dry forages, dry co-products, and dry grain, Erickson et al. (2008) have concluded that adding minimal amounts of relatively inexpensive dry, bulky feedstuffs to WDGS may solve the previously described challenges associated with the storage of WDGS in silo bags and/or bunkers. Table 1 shows the recommended feedstuffs that should be mixed with WDGS in a silo bag or bunker as well as the appropriate levels of inclusion (see Erickson et al., 2008, for more information). Bunker storage includes cement bunkers or pads as well as homemade bunkers using large round hay bales or other equipment. These same concepts apply to DDGS and MWDGS storage, although these co-products usually do not have to be mixed with another feedstuff as spoilage is less of an issue due to lower moisture contents and it is easier to pack a drier product. In any case, it may be beneficial for any ethanol co-products placed in storage to be covered with plastic or some other type of protective material in order to reduce costs associated with shrink and/or spoilage.

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