Wheat Dried Distiller Grains with Solubles for pigs

In connection with the development of the European ethanol industry from cereals (mainly wheat), co products named dried distiller grains with solubles (DDGS), are more frequently available for animal nutrition. This review proposes the average characteristics of wheat DDGS and indicates that they are highly variable, probably in connection with the preparation of DDGS (drying and associated heating). This effect is especially important for fibre (NDF) and starch with average values (min-max) of 28 (23-33) and 4.7 (2.1-10.3) % DM, respectively. Average DE content (14.2 MJ per kg DM) and digestible phosphorus (0.60% DM) illustrate the potential of DDGS in pig diets. However, these nutritional values are highly variable with DE changing according to the fibre level from 12.8 to 16.0 MJ per kg DM. The lysine content of crude protein (0.83 to 3%) and the ileal digestibility of lysine (49 to 72%) are the most variable characteristics, probably in connection with the process of preparation (i.e., drying). Nevertheless, the inclusion of their physical characteristics (colour and odour) should allow the estimation of the nutritional value of wheat DDGS and contribute to higher rates of inclusion of DDGS in pig diets.