Glycerol improves feed efficiency in cattle
Glycerol, a co-product of biodiesel production, was added at 10% inclusion to feedlot cattle rations at a 150-day study conducted by University of Missiouri-Columbia. As a result feed efficiency ration of the cattle improved.
The study by Professor Monty Kerley was conducted from May to October with
the results released December.
“For maximum results, feed efficiency on a
10% diet inclusion of glycerol produced a 12% improvement in feed efficiency and
equal weight gains to a diet with no glycerol,” Kerley said.
The study
showed that at a 10% addition of crude glycerin to feed for cattle, the average
daily weight gain was 635 grams compared to 590 grams without the
glycerol.
At 5% inclusion, cattle gained 635 grams and at 20%, cattle
gained 544 grams.
“Nutritionally, glycerol is used as an energy source,”
Kerley noted. “From this work and other studies, glycerol has at least the same
energy value as corn.”
In the body of cattle, glycerol is converted to
glucose which also increases marbling and value of the carcass, Kerley
said.
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