Brewers grains, Wet brewers grains, Dried brewers grains, Brewers spent grain, Brewers Dried Yeast

Useful reference: 53

Description: 

There are several by-products that can be produced in association with the production of beer, such as, brewers grains (wet or dried), brewers dried yeast, etc. These materials are considered to be good sources of un-degradable protein and Water Soluble Vitamins. They have been used in feeding both ruminant and monogastric animals. Brewer’s grain is the material that is remaining after grains have been fermented during the beer making process. These materials can be fed in the un-dried form (wet brewers grains) or dried (dried brewers grains) and fed. The nutritional content of the material will vary from plant to plant and depending upon the type of substrate being used (barley, wheat, corn, etc.), proportions being fermented and fermentative process being used. Some plants will dry the brewer’s grain and sell it as dried brewer’s grain, while others will have it available as wet brewer’s grain. Both types have similar feeding characteristics if the wet brewer’s grain is fed shortly after it is produced. Although the rumen degradability of the protein in the dried brewer’s grain is lower, which is directly related to the amount of heat that it is subjected to during the drying process. Wet brewer’s grains need to be used in close proximity to the plant producing them, since they contain large amounts of water (75-80%) and transporting can be expensive. On the other hand the water that it contains maybe very advantageous to livestock producers in areas where water quality and supply are limited. 

The wet brewer’s grain are normally fed fresh, but can be ensiled. If ensiled the quality of the resultant silage can be improved by adding a readily fermentable carbohydrate source (molasses, cereal grain, etc.) that will accelerate the fermentation rate, which results in more acids being produced and a more stable silage. Packing and ensiling characteristics can be improved by blending the wet brewers grains prior to ensiling with other material that are dryer (forage, bran, hulls, etc.). If wet brewer’s grains are ensiled alone then excessive runoff may occur, so it is best to ensile it in a silo with proper drainage. If fed as wet brewers grains care needs to be taken to assure that it does not deteriorate prior to being fed. Since the wet brewer’s grain is an excellent media for microbial growth and has been shown to support the growth of yeast and mold (I)(CAB 981402191)(Wyss, 1997);(M)(CAB 961201877)(Wadhwa, 1995), it is best to feed the material as soon as possible after receiving it. It is best to not store the material much longer than a week to 10 days prior to feeding it; this is especially true in hot or warm areas. Research’s found that wet brewer’s grain could be stored for 10 days in Spring, 5 days in Summer and 30 days in Winter (L)(CAB 971407904)(Kim-HyeonShup, 1996). If storing for longer periods of time the material should be ensiled. Under hot and humid conditions it might not be possible to store the material for a week. Storing in a shaded or cool place will length the time that the wet brewer’s grains can be stored. Covering the surface with plastic or some other covering material will minimize surface spoilage and length the time that the material can be stored. Various methods to preserve wet brewer’s grain have been evaluated (D)(CAB 761443153)(Allen, 1975). Feed consumption will be reduced if spoiled brewer’s grain is fed. Feed mixtures containing brewer’s grain will spoil quite rapidly, so any excess feed that animals have not consumed should be removed and discarded. The palatability of wet brewer’s grain will decline with increasing storage time Brewer’s dried grain usage are limited in monogastric application, because of its high fiber (24 % ADF) content, so it is not normally used in intensive feeding systems. The crude protein content (27-30 %) is relatively high and is less ruminally degradable than other plant derived sources, so it is often used in feeding dairy cattle and beef cattle that require additional ruminally escape protein. Lysine is normally the most limiting amino acid and it is a good source of Water Soluble Vitamins. Dried brewers yeast was found to be able to replace fish meal up to 9.26% in diets for broilers with no differences in growth and feed efficiency observed (2A)(AGRIS 89-093110)(Erguel, 1988). Brewers yeast was found to performance similarly when replacing brewers grains in rations for lactating dairy cattle (1A)(AGRIS 95-117463)(West, 1994). 

Source: 

Residual material that is remaining after grains has been fermented to produce beer.

Processing: 

Grinding and screening of brewer’s grain has been shown to fractionate its nutrient components, with the fine material being higher in CP (39 %) and the courser being lower (21.5 %) and higher in fiber. Fluctuating the processing temperature from 80 to 200oC didn’t change the CP content, but nitrogen content of Acid Detergent Fiber (indigestible form) increased as temperature increased (19)(AGRIS 82-726890)(Deltoro, 1981);(F)(CAB 20001408525)(Pereira, 1999).

Feeding Experiments: 

Brewer’s grain can be used in feeding applications with ruminant and monogastric animals. Use in feeding monogastric animals is somewhat limited by its high fiber content and low digestibility of the CP fraction. It is quite palatable and is ready consumed by animals. In feeding ruminant animals brewer’s grain was found to be a satisfactory replacement for corn gluten meal in rations for growing heifers (4)(AGRIS 92-096824)(Lopez-Guisa, 1991). Feeding up to 30 % of the dry matter as wet brewer’s grain was not found to reduce milk production in dairy cattle (6)(AGRIS 95-117463)(West, 1994). Brewer’s grain silage was found to be a satisfactory replacement for corn silage in rations for lactating dairy cattle (K)(CAB 981402194)(Munger, 1997). No difference in performance was observed when dried, re-wetted or we brewer’s grain was fed to lactating dairy cattle (C)(CAB 770434874)(Porter, 1977). Satisfactory performance was observed in dairy cattle when brewer’s grain was ensiled (11)(AGRIS 97-064860)(Muenger, 1997). No depression in performance was observed when wet or dried brewer’s grain replace soybean meal in lactating dairy cattle (3)(AGRIS 89-074380)(Hoffman, 1988). Lysine was determined to be the limiting amino acid in brewer’s grains for application with dairy cattle, so it needs to be blended with other supplemental protein sources that have higher lysine content. The fiber in brewer’s grain was found to be a satisfactory replace for a portion of the forage in rations for lactating dairy cattle (7)(AGRIS 1999-043534)(Younker, 1998). Similar performance in growing beef animals have been observed (12)(AGRIS 97-064831)(Morel, 1997). Lambs were found to perform as a similar level when brewer’s grain accounted for up to 50 % of the concentrate being fed (2)(AGRIS 89-133992)(Baghdassar, 1986). When ensiled brewer’s grain is fed acidosis can be a problem (J)(CAB 981402193)(Morel, 1997). 

In monogastric animal’s brewer’s grain were shown to be viable CP sources, especially where soybean and fish meals were unavailable. Similar performance was observed between dried and wet brewer’s grain in fattening chicken (A)(CAB 731411783)(Wegner, 1973). Dried brewers grains were included at 2 to 5 % of the diet dry matter without depressing gain or feed conversion in broilers (13)(1987). Diets with up to 10 % brewer’s grains didn’t depress egg production (14)(AGRIS 87-118595)(Yeong, 1986);(E)(CAB 761451089)(Jensen, 1976). In broilers inclusion rates up to 20 % of brewer’s grains didn’t depress gains or feed conversion during early growth (0 to 4, 4 to 8 weeks) and up to 30 % was not observed to decrease performance in broilers (8 to 12 weeks) (17)(AGRIS 82-758989)(Deltoro-Lopez, 1981). Other researchers have reported that up to 10 % dried brewer’s can be fed to young poultry (0-8 weeks) and up to 30 % in older birds (8 to 18 weeks) didn’t effect growth (B)(CAB 731413717)(Ademosun, 1973). In layers, feeding brewer’s grain up to 30 % of diets dry matter had no effect, but higher levels depressed performance (18)(AGRIS 82-758988)(Deltoro-Lopez, 1981). Brewer’s grains was found to be a satisfactory source of protein in finishing swine rations (16)(AGRIS 85-113680)(Chalermchai-Sriratanasak, 1984);(G)(CAB 931460128)(Aletor, 1990).

Feeding Guidelines: 

Brewer’s grain is a safe feed for most livestock. In many applications the use of brewer’s grain is going to be limited by its fiber content and the digestibility of the CP. It is a bulky feed and low in energy content. A typical ration might have to following composition; 40 % dried citrus pulp, 40 % coconut meal and 20% dried brewer’s grain. Ensiled or wet brewer’s grain can also be fed at levels that would provide similar levels of dry matter. When fed to dairy cattle off-flavors in the milk can be avoided by feeding the cows after they have been milked instead of before. It is best to feed wet brewer’s grain fresh, since it will sour after being stored for a few days and may upset the acid base balance in the animal. Sodium bicarbonate being fed twice daily (150 grams / animal) will normally cure this disorder. In poultry up to 20 % dried brewer’s grain can be used with good results. The microbial metabolites contained in brewer’s grain seem to improve growth and feed conversion.

Nutrient Characteristics: 

(9)(AGRIS 1998-005967)(Danisova, 1992) - Wet brewer’s grain – DM = 32 %, Ash = 4.1 %, pH = 6.2 

(10)(AGRIS 97-070607)(Daccord, 1996) – Fresh and ensiled brewer’s grain – Organic Matter Digestibility = 64 %, CP Dig = 65%