There is certainly potential in Chile for U.S. DDGS. That's the conclusion of Dr. Randy Shaver, a dairy science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In collaboration with a Chilean farm supply cooperative, Shaver conducted feeding trials at six selected Chilean dairy farms.
The trial was divided into two phases to utilize weather related conditions of the winter and summer seasons. In phase one, winter, all six trial farms showed a reduction in feed costs by an average of 17 cents per cow per day and an increase in milk income of 33 cents per cow per day. This brings the combined value of 50 cents per cow per day. The six herds averaged 167 milking cows each. Shaver says that means an additional revenue of $83.50 per farm per day.
During the summer phase of the project, the cows receive most of their forage from high-quality pasture instead of silage.
"We still saw a significant increase in milk production for the farm that completed a split-herd test and a decrease in feed costs for most of the herds," Shaver said. "Trials like this should certainly augment the use of DDGs in Chile and its surrounding area."
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