Dried distillers grains in supplements for pasture-fed cattle

The objective was to evaluate the inclusion of increasing levels of DDG on nutrient intake and digestibility and ruminal fermentation in cattle kept on pasture. Five castrated male steers, fitted with a ruminal cannula, weighing 450±50kg, 18 months old, kept on Marandu grass pasture were used; and distributed in a 5x5 Latin square. DDG was included in the supplements in the following proportions: 0, 100, 150, 200 and 300 g/kg DM. The data were analyzed and subjected to analysis of variance, at a significance level of 5%, being evaluated by simple polynomial regression. The total availability of pasture and green matter presented averages of 2.0 Ton/ha and 1.3 Ton/ha, respectively, allowing selectivity by animals. The consumption of pasture (P=0.032), MS (P=0.041), MO (P=0.022), and PB (P=0.035) showed quadratic behavior with the inclusion of DDG in the supplements, where the highest consumption for both corresponded to the supplements with 100 and 200g/kg inclusion. The digestibility of NDF (P=0.001) and OM (P=0.046) also suffered a quadratic effect (P<0.05), noting that at levels above 200g/kg it can be reduced. N-consumed also suffered a quadratic effect (P=0.032) with an increase in the inclusion of 100, 200 and 300g/kg of DDG, being linked to the protein fraction of DDG. The levels of Isovalerate (P=0.0001), AGCR (P=0.004) and CH4 production (P=0.022) decreased linearly, indicating a decrease in the energy levels of the animals. Therefore, levels between 150 and 200g/kg of DDG are recommended in supplements for cattle kept on pasture.