New Spreadsheet Evaluates DDGs Inclusions
URBANA - An Excel spreadsheet that helps swine producers calculate the value of including distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in their feeding program, has been developed at the University of Illinois Department of Animal Sciences.
Post-doctoral student, Beob Kim and Hans Stein, University of Illinois Extension swine specialist developed the Excel spreadsheet
"Producers can use their own costs for corn, soybean meal, DDGS, and other ingredients and then calculate how much their diets will cost without and with DDGS," explained Hans Stein.
He said the spreadsheet was developed as a result of producers' questioning the economy of feeding DDGS.
"The answer to that question is not universal because producers have different costs," said Stein.
Phil Borgic, a pork producer from Nokomis and current president of the IPPA, praised the work of Kim and Stein. The IPPA is proud to have helped fund the swine Extension specialist position that brought Hans to Illinois.
"IPPA realizes the serious financial situation facing pork producers, and we are doing everything we can to help producers deal with higher feed prices. The DDGS calculator gives producers another tool in making management decisions related to utilizing DDGS in swine diets and reducing the cost of feed rations," he added.
Hans Stein has been active in numerous research projects related to utilizing DDGS in swine diets. His research has received funding from the National Research Efficiency Consortium coordinated by the National Pork Board and the Pork Checkoff. IPPA contributed Checkoff dollars to the consortium and participated in the selection process.
The DDGS calculation spreadsheet can be found at the Illinois Pork Producers Association website http://www.ilpork.com.
"Producers can use their own costs for corn, soybean meal, DDGS, and other ingredients and then calculate how much their diets will cost without and with DDGS," explained Hans Stein.
He said the spreadsheet was developed as a result of producers' questioning the economy of feeding DDGS.
"The answer to that question is not universal because producers have different costs," said Stein.
Phil Borgic, a pork producer from Nokomis and current president of the IPPA, praised the work of Kim and Stein. The IPPA is proud to have helped fund the swine Extension specialist position that brought Hans to Illinois.
"IPPA realizes the serious financial situation facing pork producers, and we are doing everything we can to help producers deal with higher feed prices. The DDGS calculator gives producers another tool in making management decisions related to utilizing DDGS in swine diets and reducing the cost of feed rations," he added.
Hans Stein has been active in numerous research projects related to utilizing DDGS in swine diets. His research has received funding from the National Research Efficiency Consortium coordinated by the National Pork Board and the Pork Checkoff. IPPA contributed Checkoff dollars to the consortium and participated in the selection process.
The DDGS calculation spreadsheet can be found at the Illinois Pork Producers Association website http://www.ilpork.com.