21 December 2006

2 minute read

North America

"With the expansion of ethanol plants in Illinois and the Midwest, the production and availability of corn co-products, mainly corn gluten feed (CGF) and distillers dry grain solubles (DDGS), will play a major part in reducing the cost of beef cattle diets," said Dave Seibert, U of I Extension animal systems educator based in East Peoria. "However, it is important for producers to have a good understanding of these and other by-products, transportation costs, and feeding guidelines."

Currently, six ethanol plants are located throughout central and northern Illinois. Two plants are under construction and two more are being expanded. There are also two corn processing plants that do not produce ethanol but periodically have co-products available. Western Illinois producers have access to three plants located in Iowa, and in both states there are between 45 and 50 plants that are in varying stages of development, ranging from early planning to the early stages of construction.

Topics covered at the seminars include: the locations and amounts of by-products; types of co-products; the value and cost of co-products; trucking, storage, and loss of co-products; examples of storage; building an economical ration; and feeding levels of co-products.

Dates, locations and times for the seminars are:

• Jan. 16, Pekin, Tazewell County Extension office, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Jan. 17, Perry, John Wood Community College, 1 to 3 p.m.
• Jan. 17, Jerseyville, Super 8 Motel, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Jan. 31, Macomb, intersection of IL 67 and 136, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Jan. 31, Roseville, American Legion Hall, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Feb. 2, Lewiston, Fulton County Extension office, 8 a.m. to noon
• Feb. 12, Hennepin, Steel Workers Hall, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Feb. 20, Petersburg, Wankel Pioneer Feed store, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.