| Wet beet pulp, a by-product
of the sugar refining industry has been a valuable feed
resource for livestock over the years, however its
comparative value with other feedstuffs is often questioned.
In addition to the value question, optimal levels to be fed
in both growing and finishing rations are also discussed by
cattle feeders. Research at the Panhandle Research and
Extension Center has evaluated levels of pulp in growing and
finishing rations over the past three years.
Two trials were conducted with growing calves fed various
levels of wet pulp. The three levels of beet pulp evaluated
in our study were 15, 35 or 50 percent of the ration (dry
basis). Those levels provided approximately 10, 25, and 40
lbs of fresh pulp per head daily for the three different
groups fed. The beet pulp replaced corn silage, which
allowed for a comparison of the value of beet pulp and corn
silage. The remainder of the ration was alfalfa hay and a
supplement.
Calves fed the beet pulp diets gained faster while eating
about the same quantity of feed, providing a better feed
utilization for the pulp fed cattle. The increased feed
efficiency is likely due to two reasons. First, the pulp has
slightly higher published energy values than corn silage,
plus it appears that pulp also has a more complementary
effect on the overall ration than does corn silage. This is
due to the fact that the energy in the beet pulp primarily
comes from a highly digestible fiber, while much of the
energy in corn silage comes from starch in the grain. It is
known that starch at relatively high levels has a negative
effect on fiber digestion.
It appears the best feed efficiency is achieved when pulp
is fed at 35 percent of the ration. Both intake and gain are
slightly negatively affected when pulp is fed at 50 percent
of the dry matter. When the pulp is fed at 35 percent of the
ration the calculated value was 30-50 percent greater than
corn silage on a dry basis. This means that if corn silage
is priced at $20 per ton at 35 percent dry matter ($20
divided by .35 = $57 per ton dry), then wet pulp with 24
percent dry mater would be valued up to $18 to $20 per ton
for growing cattle. Two trials were also conducted to
evaluate the value of pulp in finishing diets where pulp was
again compared to corn silage as a roughage source in the
diet. Corn silage was fed at 8.5 percent of the ration dry
matter, while pulp was fed at either 8.5 percent or 12.5
percent. In finishing diets, the relative value of corn
silage and pulp is more similar. Pulp can serve as a
substitute for corn silage in finishing rations at 8-10
percent of the dry matter, and the performance will be very
similar. At higher levels of pulp, intake will be reduced
slightly however the feed efficiency will be similar.
In conclusion, feeding wet beet pulp not only utilizes a
valuable by-product of the beet industry but also provides
excellent performance for growing cattle, and can serve as a
very economical feed resource. |