Storage and Utilization of Ethanol Co-Products By Small Cattle Operations

Project Overview

ENC07-096
Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2007: $44,370.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2011
Region: North Central
State: Nebraska
Project Coordinator:
Francis Hay
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Animals: bovine

Practices

  • Animal Production: general animal production

    Proposal abstract:

    The expansion of ethanol production in the Midwest has provided a new feed product to cattle producers. The wet distillers grains products have predominately been used by large producers with substantial economic and animal performance benefits. New research is developing ways to store and utilize ethanol co-products to allow access of these benefits to small feeders and cow calf operations. Availability of co-products to small operations will improve their ability to compete with large operations and improving the local economic impact of biofuel production. In the short term educators will gain knowledge about storage and utilization of co-products. In the intermediate term educators will take that knowledge to their home areas and teach producers. In the long term producers will utilize this new feed to reduce costs, extend pastures, and improve the health, quality, and sustainability of their herds. This project will focus on delivering: • Education for Ag Extension Educators from Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and South Dakota, as well as NRCS staff, high school agriculture educators and community college animal science educators. • Demonstrations of mixing and storage. Ag Educators will see storage techniques and issues of spoilage and quality. • Interaction between ag educators and small livestock producers experimenting with on-farm storage. Interaction between educators and beef experts. • Resources toolbox for use by educators to provide training in their local areas. Educators will be surveyed to determine outcomes, including a follow up survey to determine producer adoption, and acceptance of storage practices.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    This project will focus on delivering:

    • Education for Ag Extension Educators from Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and South Dakota, as well as NRCS staff, high school agriculture educators and community college animal science educators.

    • Demonstrations of mixing and storage. Ag Educators will see storage techniques and issues of spoilage and quality.

    • Interaction between ag educators and small livestock producers experimenting with on-farm storage. Interaction between educators and beef experts.

    • Resources toolbox for use by educators to provide training in their local areas.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.