Wyoming Ranchers Discuss Pros, Cons To Feeding Byproducts
WYOMING - Feeding byproducts to cattle can be a win-win situation for ethanol plants, breweries, sugar factories and ranchers if there is clear communication on the supply and nutrient value of the byproducts, according to a panel of Wyoming ranchers.
16 May 2007
2 minute read
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Shawn Booth
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Ranchers Shawn Booth, Jack Settlemire, Hugh Peltz and Dr. Steve Paisley, University of Wyoming beef specialist, discussed the advantages and disadvantages of feeding byproducts to their livestock during the Wyoming Beef Symposium on April 6 in Riverton, Wyo.
Booth has been feeding pressed sugarbeet pulp to cattle for many years on his Veteran, Wyo., ranch. Pressed sugarbeet pulp, according to Booth, is a viable, digestible feed product that handles like corn silage.
“Anything will eat it and all animals love it,” he said. “It works very well in growing rations.”
The downside to feeding pressed beet pulp is its seasonality. Nevertheless, Booth said he believes the pressed beet pulp is a good additive to a feed program and stores fairly well when packed like corn silage. Booth contracts the pressed beet pulp in early October, and the local prices are based on corn prices.
“I paid $16 per ton and did all my own trucking,” he said. “It figured out to cost about a penny a pound Š The market is starting to realize its value since the corn price has been up.”
Pressed sugarbeet pulp is best fed fresh, like with most byproducts, however, Booth said it stores fairly well and deteriorates slowly over time depending on the environment temperature. “It helps me get into the corn and grain rations because the calves love it,” he said. “Their coats blossom, which makes it good for show steers. It's cost-effective, regardless of what you feed.” The key to making byproducts a profitable feed is to find one that is cost-effective, he added. Not only is feeding pressed sugarbeet pulp cost-effective, but it is also versatile.
