WDG

[smartin0022]

New member, not new to farming or cattle but recently decided to add wet distillers grains to my winter program. Backstory= Ky had wet spring most hay was put up after heading out and then a drought summer. Hay quality poor to mediocre at best. I have 300 rolls of low quality grass hay forage onsite. I normally feed a 30% tub free choice with KNS beef cattle mineral free choice to about 30 momma cows. I have a high calcuim mineral which i do think mine is within acceptable ranges 1800 ppm, low phosphorus which mine is 200 ppm I also think the vitamin E levels are tolerable. Ive never grained my cattle or considered it until now. I have free WDG or slop around here as its called. Pick it up mon-sat free of charge. So for my multi part question concerning implementing WDG free choice ( I did do a search).
1.) Will WDG ruin the teeth on my cattle if used for length of time? I have heard it rumored over time the teeth on cattle fed WDG and DDG will start to decay and prematurely fall out.
2.) Will mixing in grass hay squares without grinding be the same as far as intake rate per head? I understand i would lose palatabily without grinding the hay but this is pretty decent quality grass hay.
3.) Will long term winter feeding of WDG ruin the bags on my 3-4 year old cow herd?

 

[Buck Randall]

There are plenty of people around here who winter cows on distiller's grain and corn stalks or marsh hay. I've never heard of any issues with teeth or udders from that ration. It's best to limit their intake of the grain, though, especially if your forage quality is poor.

 

[Bigfoot]

The teeth and bags is a no. It will not ruin them.

I would add 150 pounds of ddg per day to 30 cows, will accomplish more than the slop. It will also be much easier to handle. Stuff is free for a reason.

 

[smartin0022]

Thanks for the replies. Even though it's free you're right it's only 6 miles round trip but they are going through 150 gallons a day so far. Will check into DDG...