Yes, corn distillers grain with solubles is an excellent feedstuff for growing and developing calves. The amount fed becomes the issue. Economics should first be considered. The correct amount varies depending on whether you are using wet or dry distillers grains, feedlot cattle or cattle on forage diets. Other factors include the need for protein and/or energy, cattle performance response, and corn price relative to energy in your area.
The University of Nebraska has good data on use of wet distillers grains for feedlot cattle if you can purchase wet distillers grains at 95 percent of corn price on a DM basis. You can access this information from their byproduct section under the main page (tabs on the left side of the beef.unl.edu homepage). Future economic comparisons for use of DDGS, modified wet distillers grain, corn gluten feed, and combinations of wet corn gluten feed and wet distillers grains are being developed.
Few data are available on use in forage feeding situations. In the 2004 Nebraska Beef Report, page 25, "Dried distillers grains as a grazed forage supplement," you will find a process that describes assigning a value to DDGS based on forage intake, ADG, and costs. This can help you figure out a price for DDGS that would be worthwhile.
Another issue for you to consider is that DDGS does not pellet well or cube, if that is your current protein and phosphorus supplement method. Also, when you have to make DDGS, which is normally a "meal" form, into a pellet, you have increased the cost. WDGS can be challenging to handle and must be kept fresh and used within three to seven days, depending on the season.
If you can purchase them correctly, you could use up to 35 percent of the diet DM for maximum energy, or 6 to 8 pounds of DM per day, depending on total intake of other ingredients. If this intake is used with cows or heifers, you must guard against cattle performing too well. If you are just needing protein, then feeding 15 percent or up to 1.5 to 2.0 pounds per day is probably adequate, depending on the rest of the diet.
