Brewers grain cow pie

[Bdubbs55]

I have been a lurker for a while now and can usually find what I'm looking for that has already been posted. Lots of great info on here. I have 2 bred cows, 2 calves and I am very green. Been feeding my cows brewers grain for about 3 months now. They have unlimited feed, I also give what they go through in hay and feed some all stock grain with alfalfa pellets mixed in. Their pies seem to be quite tall and there is a bit of undigested barley in there. The cows seem quite healthy and seem to putting on weight. Wondering if the size of the pie is trying to tell me somthing? Any help is appreciated.

 

[greggy]

The size of the pile is realed to animal size and feed

They wont digest the hulls.....it is not like whole grain though as I understand.

 

[Bdubbs55]

I guess I'm just used to seeing more flat cow pies these are probably 5 to 6 inches tall.

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

Interesting topic. Could be a lack of protein.

Glad to see you posting after a period of lurking.

:welcome:

 

[Bdubbs55]

I'm thinking I will get the brewers grain tested so I can have a starting point

 

[greggy]

Why try and diagnose a problem that is not already existing ?

You can look around and get an idea of what is in brewers grain, and make rest of ration too suit, then, a few months down the track, test the animals, not the poop IMO, and see if anything is lacking whilst they are still healthy.

I could have 6 calves, on exact same feed, one squirting, one hard as rocks, and the rest somewhere in between, I look at how they act, look for if hydrated if very loose...etc, hydration is important.

I think your feeding them very well and a lot of un digestible hulls being excreted, that is my take, but I am green too.

When watching what comes out the rear, with sheep and calves, I look at other factors...i.e I just fed them a week of very wet food... = loose, but otherwise acting normal and lot of energy...ok..

When loose, if weak, lethargic, at rear end of mob always, general apathy, then there is an issue....

 

[Red Boots Farm]

I'm getting my first supply of brewer's grain from a new brewery that is opening soon in a nearby town. I jumped on it when I heard they were opening. I've never used it before -- have only read about it. I have a bred heifer (new to this too) that gets a little grain, mostly hay; a feeder steer that gets grain/hay; and two 4-week-old bottle calves that are eating starter and hay as well. Also laying hens. Dairy goats too but I'm more cautious with them.

The brewery will supply far more than I need (four 35-gal. containers every time they brew) so I'm asking other cattle farmer neighbors if they would like some. The owner also has another farmer interested. Concerned about it freezing in winter -- I know you are supposed to feed it right away. What percentage should be fed? I know it's wet, like a slurry, and might take some time for them to develop a taste for it.

 

[sim.-ang.king]

Brewers grain is high in fiber, so along with hay, and alfalfa I would expect a pretty firm pile. If they are doing good, than keep on truckin.

 

[TexasBred]

I'm thinking I will get the brewers grain tested so I can have a starting point

Bddubs here is a link that will show you a typical analysis on WBG on a dry matter basis (all moisture removed) Might be of some help to you.

https://cscgold.com/products-commodity-specialists-company/products-csc-wet-feeds/nutritional-analysis/

 

[Kingfisher]

https://www.drovers.com/article/cow-pieology-101-study-cow-pies

Here is some good information

 

[Petercoates87]

Hey guys. I have been feeding brewers grain for over a year now. Pack that **** to them!! Its higher in protein but also higher in fiber. Because the higher fiber it will keep their poop firm. But when the dams calf there will be tons of milk. I feed mostly second cut round and brewers grain n supplement with mineral licks. Just had a 16 month old holstein bull butchered raised on this diet that dressed 540lbs. I was pretty happy with it.

 

[Richnm]

It's not higher in protein or nutrition on a DRY MATTER basis. It's junk. I tried it my cows lost condition, they looked better on hay , it's a messy , smelly , time consuming, waste of time.

 

[sim.-ang.king]

24-32% protein, NEm 0.81, NEg 0.52, TDN 73.9 on a DM basis.

 

[greggy]

Anything wet needs to have the water volume taken into account, as well as anything that cannot be digested.....

 

[Richnm]

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

5-6" tall cow piles aren't unusual. As long as they aren't having horse type turds, you should be fine.

 

[Petercoates87]

He shouldn't have any trouble in regards to manure size. I honestly love having it. To start off I can get it for free. I have a dairy beef cross cow that has been raising 2 calves all summer and has kept up great condition. These 2 calves are fat lil puddins too. There's alot of articles out there about how good it is for cattle.

 

[Richnm]

Read up on the high levels of mycotoxins . My cow had a miscarriage and I blame this junk. If you can't afford to feed them , sell them. I burned the entire pile.

 

[sim.-ang.king]

Read up on the high levels of mycotoxins . My cow had a miscarriage and I blame this junk. If you can't afford to feed them , sell them. I burned the entire pile.

That's why many on here always advise to test your feed/hay.

 

[TexasBred]

Read up on the high levels of mycotoxins . My cow had a miscarriage and I blame this junk. If you can't afford to feed them , sell them. I burned the entire pile.

You burned WET brewers grain? That stuff is 65% water. Commerical feeds contain mycotoxins as well and often excessive amounts as it's seldom tested.