Brewing by-products: their use as animal feeds.
Brewers grains, a by-product of beer production, are often used as a livestock feed. Because brewers grains provide protein, fiber, and energy, they can be useful in a variety of diets. Protein in brewers grains can meet a significant portion of supplemental protein requirements; in addition, they provide fiber and needed bulk in the diets of ruminants and horses. Brewers grains and other brewers by-products have also been fed to pigs, sheep, and poultry. Currently, the primary market for wet brewers grains is as a dairy cattle feed; however, some may be fed to beef cattle in feedlots. Brewers grains have historically been marketed wet or dry, but wet brewers grains currently make up the majority of the marketed product. Brewers grains provide protein, energy, and fiber in livestock diets, but product variability can influence their utilization and necessitate a testing program to determine nutrient content.
Westendorf
Michael L
ML
Department of Animal Sciences, Cook College, State University of New Jersey-Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. westendorf@aesop.rutgers.edu
Wohlt
James E
JE
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D002523:Edible Grain; D005285:Fermentation; D006736:Horses; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011200:Poultry; D012417:Rumen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine; D015002:Yeast, Dried / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D009584:Nitrogen