Manual gives tips on storing wet distillers grains

The ability to store wet distillers grains or other wet corn co-products would benefit livestock producers -- who could buy in bulk when prices are low and save the nutritious feed ingredient until they need it. Some producers have experimented and discovered good methods, and now the University of Nebraska and Nebraska Corn Board have developed a storage manual geared specifically toward wet corn co-products. A news release about the manual is here.

The Storage of Wet Corn Co-Products publication includes information on wet and modified wet distillers grains, as well as wet corn gluten feed. Storage options from bags to bunks, and analysis of mixing forage with the wet corn co-product are included.

Dr. Galen Erickson, a beef specialist with the University of Nebraska and one of the report's authors, said there are many good options for storing wet distillers grains and other co-products. He said silo bag storage can work well -- but bagging straight wet co-products under pressure will likely split or break the bag. Instead, he said, adding a small amount of forage as described in the manual can solve that challenge. Meanwhile, more forage is needed for bunker methods.

According to the report, inexpensive, low-quality forages are likely the best choice when mixing them with wet co-products for storage. The low quality forages work well because they are more fibrous and this is a great way to improve their palatability.

The manual includes a cost budget worksheet to help livestock producers estimate the cost of storing wet co-products.

A .pdf of the report is available by clicking here. Or you can get a copy by contacting the Corn Board.

Storage of Wet Corn Co-Products continues the Nebraska Corn Board’s series of publications geared towards distillers grains. Utilization of Corn Co-Products in the Dairy Industry came out earlier this year, and an updated Utilization of Corn Co-Products in the Beef Industry was published in August 2007. All are available here -- they are a tremendous resource.