Brewer´s draff

Brewer’s draff is high-value feed supplied as fresh feed that supports the animal’s health and the development of milk.

Normally, its dry matter content is 19 - 23%, and if used for ensilage, it is treated to contain 27 - 30% dry matter. With its dry matter that usually contains 250 g of nitrogen substances, brewer’s draff is a useful supplement to the dairy cow diet to balance the protein-to-glycide proportion. This namely involves rations with maize prevailing in either fresh or preserved form, or other bulk feed with an expanded protein-to-glycide proportion.

The content of the mineral component differs in comparison with meal; draff is higher in calcium, but lower in phosphorus and potassium.

In addition, fresh brewer’s draff is dietetically active in all animal species. It can also be applied in the "wet" feeding systems of pigs as well as in the sheep diet.

Ensilaged brewer’s draff is useful feed in winter. The method of preservation we offer employs propionic acid and formic acid. Brewer’s draff can be preserved over a short term as well as for longer periods. Short-term preservation is useful to preserve the feed 1 - 3 weeks. Long-term preservation is made using bags suitable for ensiling, or pits.

The best choice for the use of brewer’s draff is inclusion in the cattle diet, namely dairy cows, where it can cover a great part of essential nitrogen matter, thus making the ration cheaper.

In terms of economy, brewer’s draff is a very noteworthy source of nutrients, including namely nitrogen substances.

Mean values of brewer’s draff

Nitrogen substances	g/kg	240.00
Fat	g/kg	76.14
Ash	g/kg	41.70
Fibre	g/kg	193.50
Reducing sugars such as sucrose	g/kg	13.70
Starch	g/kg	64.90
Nitrogen-free extractives	g/kg	407.30
Net Energy Value for Lactation (NEL)	MJ/kg	6.00
Net Energy Value (NEV)	MJ/kg	6.10
Digestible nitrogen substances	g/kg	207.60
Starch units		64.30
PDI	g/kg	98.90
Calcium	g/kg	13.10
Phosphorus	g/kg	10.80
Sodium	g/kg	0.80
Potassium	g/kg	1.70
Magnesium	g/kg	2.00
Copper	mg/kg	29.60
Manganese	mg/kg	49.50
Zinc	mg/kg	85.60
Iodine	mg/kg	0.08
Selenium	mg/kg	0.71
Chlorine	g/kg	1.20
Sulphur	g/kg	3.50
Lysine	g/kg	9.70
Methionine	g/kg	4.40
Cysteine	g/kg	5.00
Threonine	g/kg	9.70

Benefits of feeding with draff

Feeding with brewer’s draff not only has great benefits for the health and growth of animals, but also significant financial effects as it means considerable cost cuts per unit of the product.

Recommended daily dosage

Dairy cow	6 - 10 kg
Fattening cattle	Up to 10 kg
Sheep	2 - 3 kg
Sows, finishing pigs	Up to 2.5 kg (Depending on the basic diet)
Ducks	Up to two thirds of the portion of concentrated feed
Poultry – laying hens	10% higher egg yield when 50g of the feed per day is fed

Draff preservation methods

Short-term ensilage in summer months

Ensiling time

· Useful for preserving 1 - 3 weeks in summer

Ensiling procedure

· At a designated site, allow draining of excessive water è Shape the heap and smooth the surface è Use preserving agents based on propionic and formic acids to allow surface preservation è Cover the entire heap with an ensiling sheet, seal, and apply a load; if you collect any draff, cover the rest properly.

Long-term ensilage in bags

Ensiling tools

· Standard baggers with smaller bag diameter

Ensiling procedure

Place the bag on a flat, ideally solid surface (e.g. asphalt and/or concrete) è Preserving agents based on propionic and formic acids recommended

Ensiling rate

· 200 - 300 t/day

Reason for ensiling

· Making a winter reserve; making a resource of ensilage close to the stable may be an option.

Long-term ensiling in pits

Ensiling tools

· Ensiling pits, maximum width of 5 m; bigger pits should be divided.

Ensiling procedure

· Place draff in the ensiling pit è Use preserving agents based on propionic and formic acids or also feeding salt to allow surface preservation.

Cover the entire heap with an ensiling sheet, seal, and apply a load è If you collect any draff, cover the rest properly.