Dr Elliott highlights that Brewers Grains has a unique characteristic that make it invaluable in feeding dairy cows. He refers to it as SPACE OCCUPYING FIBRE.
With the small particle size of Brewers Grains, it “fills the gaps” between the rest of the feed in the rumen of the animal, allowing it to fit more in, thus increasing intake. This greater intake leads to greater milk production. This is particularly true in the early stages of lactation when the cow is struggling to eat sufficient feed to meet its requirements- better body condition scores ensure higher conception rates.

This small particle size also impacts on how NDF is looked upon. Although the chemical analysis of Brewers Grains indicates 50% NDF, the effective NDF is only 25%, and coupled with high energy and protein, makes Brewers Grains a very valuable component of any dairy diet.

Castlegate James has been successfully selling Brewers Grains to the dairy industry in Australia since 1923, with the parent company in the UK marketing this product since ?????.

WHAT IS IT?

Brewers Grains is a moist co-product from the brewing industry, obtained from the residues of malted cereals and other starchy products. At the brewery the malted cereal (normally barley) is carefully infused with hot water (wet mashed) to extract malt sugars into a liquor used in the manufacture of beer. The remaining fibrous and protein materials are mixed to produce Brewers Grains. 

COMMENTS FROM FARMERS USING BREWERS GRAINS-

• Joe Bradley (Dayboro, Qld)- “We have been using Brewers Grains for over 45 years, and it is a vital ingredient in my ration and is a product which produces results.