Sampling Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles to Determine Nutrient Variability

Abstract

Dry matter, protein, fat, phosphorus, and sulfur were measured on 100 wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) samples per ethanol plant (6 plants total) with 10 samples/day, 5 consecutive days, and 2 separate months (periods). Coefficients of variation were 1.5% to 4.5% for DM within plant. Fat in WDGS averaged 11.8% and ranged from 10.7% to 13.1% across plants, with ranges of 2 to 5 percentage units within plant. Coefficients of variation were 5% to 8% and as great as 36% within plant for sulfur. The variation in protein and phosphorus were minimal.