Warning: don’t overuse DDGS for pigs
Pig producers should be careful not to overuse DDGS for certain diets. That warning was given by Hans H. Stein of the University of Illinois’ Department of Animal Sciences.
Many pig producers have already taken advantage of the availability of distillers dried grains and have incorporated DDGS into diets fed to their animals.
Limited
While many producers successfully include 20% DDGS in diets for all categories of pigs, Stein says in the February issue of North Carolina State University’s Swine News that DDGS in finishing diets should be limited to 20% to limit the risk of producing pork with soft bellies.
In diets fed to nursery pigs and growing finishing pigs, however, as much as 35% DDGS can be fed.
Stein also points out the importance of formulating all diets including DDGS based on concentrations of digestible amino acids and digestible phosphorus. DDGS sources that have a lysine-to-crude-protein ratio that is lower than 2.80 should not be used in diets fed to pigs.
Related links:
• University of Illinois: Department of Animal Sciences
• Dossier All About Bio Energy
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