DDGS : Dried Distiller Grains with Solubles
Increasing the Feeding Value of DDGS through the Use of Multi-Enzymes.
Dried Distiller Grains with Solubles (DDGS) is a grain protein source and energy in swine diets. How do we maximize its utilization?
Dried distillers grains with solubles or DDGS, a by product of the ethanol industry has been gaining much attention as both an energy and protein source in swine dicts. It has been reported that this raw material is relatively high in protein, fiber and fat. However its rather low digestibility and nutrient variability prevents its maximum usage in swine diets. In fact several research reports have shown different maximum inclusion rate recommendations which range from 7.5% to 30% in growing and finishing pigs. Thus, increasing the nutrient digestibility of DDGS will indeed improve its usage in conventional swine diets.
With the continuous rise in feed cost, maximizing the utilization of such by-products is vital. The use of multi-enzymes in improving the value of feed ingredients especially by products will play a great role in this regard. However, although numerous enzymes are currently available, there is still the need to validate such enzyme preparations in order to determine the best alternative.
Recent research and commercial data on DDGS
A fairly recent study was conducted by researchers at JBS United, Inc. (Spencer et al., 2007) to determine the efficacy of a multi-enzyme p re p a ration in piglet diets with corn-DDGS included at 30%. The study involved a total of 300 piglets weighing 9.0 kg at around 31 days of age randomly allotted by weight to one of three treatment groups. The first group was fed of a conventional corn-soy diet (61.5% corn and 28.5% soybean). A diet (35.5% corn and 24.5% soybean) containing 30% corn-DDGS without enzyme supplementation and a diet containing 30% DDGS supplemented with a multi-enzyme preparation (0.05%; Endopower; EasyBio Systems, Inc) was fed to treatment groups two and three, respectively. Results indicate that the addition DDGS improved gain to feed ratio. Furthermore, the multienzyme preparation utilized in the study allowed for improvements in growth performance of nursery piglets fed diets containing high levels of DDGS.
A commercial farm trial in the Philippines (Dodram Farms, Batangas) was conducted to determine the efficacy of EndoPower in starter diets containing DDGS included at 15%. The study utilized a total of 6o pigs with initial weight of 16.45 kg and was randomly assigned to one of two experimental diets containing high levels of alternative raw materials (DDGS) supplemented with or without enzyme supplementation at 500 g/ ton. The duration of the experiment lasted from 55 d to 85 d of age. Parameters measured included ADG and FCR. Both diets contained 18% CP, and 1.2% lysine on a total basis. The control diet contained 3180 Kcal ME/ kg while the treatment diet contained 3110 Kcal ME/kg. At both periods, multi-enzyme supplementation resulted in better animal performance compared to the control group. In summary results indeed suggest that multienzyme supplementation in starter diets containing high levels of DDGS is a cost effective way to facilitate the more effective use of this alternative feedstuff.
Finally, a commercial feed mill (USA) also conducted several trials to determine the efficacy of a multienzyme preparation (Endopower a at 0.01 g/ton of feed) in piglet diets (19 pigs/ treatment). The first trial involved determining in vitro dry matter digestibility after which actual growth performance of pigs fed diets supplemented with the multi-enzyme preparation was measured. Indeed, supplementation of multi-enzymes improved dry matter digestibility indicating its efficacy for improving the feeding value of DDGS.
Furthermore, multi-enzyme supplementation in corn-soy based diets with either 15 or 30% DDGS fed to pigs from 9 to 30 kg BW and pigs from 25 to 75 kg BW also resulted in better ADG compared to pigs fed diets without multi-enzyme supplementation. In fact during both periods, pigs fed diets containing DDGS at 15% supplemented with the multi-enzyme preparation performed similarly to those pigs fed corn-soy based diets. In addition, results also showed better FCR with use of the multienzyme preparation.
Conclusion
In summary, the use of exogenous multi-enzyme supplements in swine diets utilizing alternative ingredients can improve the value of feeds. With the current challenges both pork and feed producers are facing in terms of input cost, the use of appropriate multienzyme preparations may indeed be an effective tool.
