Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 10 (2009) 29-35

Economic Use of Brewer’s Dried Grain (BDG)

in the Diet of Swine
T.B. Rijal1 , D.B. Nepali2, R. A. Sah2 and M.P. Sharma2
1
District Livestock Service Office, Chitwan
2
Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Rampur

Abstract
An experiment was conducted from 18th October, 2006 to 18th January, 2007 at IAAS Livestock Farm, Rampur, Chitwan
to determine the substitution effects of soybean meal with brewer’s dried grain (BDG) on the performance, economics
and meat traits of swine production. Starter, grower and finisher diets were formulated containing 18, 16, and 14% CP
respectively with 3000 Kcal/kg ME and adequately supplemented with required vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
The treatments were: diet without brewer’s dried grain -T1 (control diet), diet substituted with 10% brewer’s dried
grain-T2, diet substituted with 20% brewer’s dried grain-T3, diet substituted with 30% brewer’s dried grain-T4 and diet
substituted with 35% brewer’s dried grain-T5. Twenty weaned piglets having 7.37 to 7.94 kg live weight were housed
in individual pens. Five piglets were randomly assigned to the five treatments following a randomized complete block
design (RCBD) considering each individual as a replication. Fortnightly live weight, daily feed consumption, income
over feed and pig cost, and different meat traits of pigs were recorded. The effect of replacing formulated diets with
various level of brewer’s dried grains on body weight gain was significant (p<0.01) with higher level of substitution
resulting lower live-weight at the end of each of starter, grower and finisher diet period. The average body weight of
piglets substituted with 35%BDG (27.00kg) and 30%BDG (39.75kg) were significantly lower (p<0.01) compared to the
weight of piglets receiving 0% (65.75kg), 10% (64.25kg) and 20% (60.25kg) BDG replaced diets at the end of 3 months
experimental period. A significant reduction (P<0.01) in average daily feed consumption were also recorded with
increasing level of BDG in the diet. Better feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in T2 at early period which at
finisher stage T3 diet resulted significantly better FCR which was at par with T1 and T2 diet fed group. However, T5
diet resulted the poorest feed conversion ratio of 5.26, 4.92 and 5.87 for starter, grower and finisher respectively. There
was reduction in feed cost with different levels of BDG substitution in diet of pig. Highest income (in per cent) over
expenditure (109.01%) was found in T2 followed by T1, T3, and T4. Lowest income over expenditure (-8.2%) was
found in T5. Highest dressing percent (71.87%) was recorded in T1 and lowest (70%) in T5 diet fed group. Inclusion
of 10-20% BDG seems most acceptable level of substitution of SBM. However, this result needs to be verified under
farmer’s management condition before recommendation.

Key words: brewer’s dried grains, swine performance

Introduction ingredients and their scarcity, intensive and

Brewers’ dried grain (BDG) is a solid waste from the continuous efforts are being made to seek agro-
brewery industries. It is available and cheap but difficult industrial by-products so that the cost is reduced
to dry to low moisture content for easy storage and use, without considerable effects on their performance. The
especially during the wet seasons. There is wide aim of this study was to find out economic use of BDG
variability in the proximate composition of BDG in the diet of swine.
depending on the brewery that produced it. Feed
accounts for about 65-70% of the cost of producing
market-weight swine. Through the years, efforts have Materials and Methods
been made to optimize feed efficiency so that feed costs An experiment was conducted from October 18th 2006
might be reduced. Such efforts depend on knowledge of to 18th January 2007, at IAAS Livestock Farm, Rampur,
nutrients availability in feed ingredients and the Chitwan. Twenty weaned crossbred (Landrace x
requirements of the pig for those nutrients for various Yorkshire) piglets of same age, weighing about 5 kg
physiological states. With increasing price of feed were purchased from local farmers two weeks prior to

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 Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 10 (2009) 29-35

the start of the actual experiment. Starter (45 to 75- days- Five piglets were randomly assigned to five treatments
old pig), grower (76 to 105- days- old pig), and finisher following a randomized complete block design
(106 to 135-days- old pig) diets were formulated (RCBD) with four replications. Average daily gain
containing 18, 16, and 14%, CP respectively. These (ADG), average daily feed consumption (ADFC), Feed
diets were isocaloric containing 3000 Kcal/kg, ME conversion ratio (FCR), Carcass traits, and income
and adequately supplemented with required vitamins, over feed and pig cost were calculated. All the data
minerals and amino acids. The treatments were: diet collected were subjected to statistical analysis using
without brewer’s dried grain (WBDG) (Control the Microsoft Excel, and MSTAT-C version 1.3
Diet=T1), diet substituted with 10% brewer’s dried Michigan University (1975). Tests of significance
grain (10% BDG= T2), diet substituted with 20% among treatments means were performed using the
brewer’s dried grain (20% BDG=T3), diet substituted least significant difference (LSD) at 5%. The
with 30% brewer’s dried grain (30% BDG=T4) and ingredients composition and calculated nutrients
diet substituted with 35% brewer’s dried grain (35% contents of swine starter, grower and finisher diets
BDG=T5). Twenty weaned piglets of approximately substituted with different levels of BDG is presented
7.5 kg body weight were housed in individual pens. in Table 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

Table 1. Feed ingredients and nutrient contents of swine starter diets substituted with different levels of BDG

Ingredients WBDG 10% BDG 20% BDG 30% BDG 35% BDG

Maize 47.82 50.62 58.06 49.75 45.72

Rice polish 12.00 10.00 0.10 0.05 0.05
Soybean meal 20.00 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00
Til cake 4.30 5.50 6.50 7.00 9.60
Bone meal 0.50 0.50 1.60 1.60 1.60
BDG 0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 35.00
DOC 12.00 5.00 0.10 0.05 0.00
L/stone 1.20 1.20 1.00 1.00 1.00
Molasses 1.00 1.00 0.10 0.05 0.00
Soy oil 0.00 0.00 1.20 4.00 5.50
Lysine 0.00 0.00 0.16 0.31 0.34
Methionine 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.19 0.19
Salt 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
Feed supplements 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

Nutrient Contents
ME kcal/kg 3064.15 3009.11 3003.14 3001.45 3003.05
CP % 18.02 18.09 18.01 18.05 18.01
Lysine % 1.08 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95
Methionine % 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48
Ca % 0.77 0.79 1.01 1.04 1.09
P% 0.75 0.64 0.60 0.60 0.61

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Table 2. Feed ingredient and nutrient contents of swine grower’s diet substituted with different levels of BDG

Ingredients WBDG 10% BDG 20% BDG 30% BDG 35% BDG
Maize 54.96 58.15 66.25 56.96 53.43
Rice polish 6.50 5.00 0.30 0.00 0.10
Soybean meal 20.00 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00
Tile cake 1.20 0.40 0.60 1.00 3.60
Bone meal 0.50 0.50 1.20 1.50 1.40
BDG 0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 35.00
DOC 6.50 5.50 0.00 0.50 0.10
L/stone 1.20 1.20 0.50 0.50 0.40
Molasses 8.00 3.10 0.00 0.05 0.00
Soy oil 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.20 4.50
Lysine 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.14 0.31
Methionine 0.14 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.16
Salt 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
Feed supplements 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

Nutrient content
ME kcal/kg 3049.94 3008.26 3000.22 3000.30 3001.42
CP % 16.00 16.00 16.02 16.04 16.00
Lysine % 1.05 0.90 0.76 0.75 0.75
Methionine % 0.41 0.41 0.41 0.41 0.41
Ca % 0.70 0.69 0.61 0.71 0.70
P% 0.50 0.53 0.50 0.54 0.54

Table 3. Feed ingredients and nutrient contents of swine finisher diets substituted with different levels of BDG
Ingredients WBDG 10%BDG 20%BDG 30%BDG 35%BDG
Maize 54.37 59.38 70.64 63.21 57.51
Rice polish 9.00 10.00 0.50 0.10 0.10
Soybean meal 15.00 10.00 5.50 0.80 0.00
Tile cake 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Bone meal 0.30 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
BDG 0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 35.00
DOC 10.00 3.00 0.00 0.10 0.10
L/stone 1.20 1.00 1.20 1.10 1.20
Molasses 9.00 5.00 0.50 0.20 0.10
Soy oil 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.70 4.20
Lysine 0.00 0.00 0.04 0.17 0.18
Methionine 0.13 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.11
Salt 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
Feed supplements 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
Nutrient contents
ME kcal/kg 3003.25 3005.30 3002.53 3003.10 3001.60
CP % 14.00 14.02 14.06 14.06 14.58
Lysine % 0.82 0.70 0.56 0.60 0.60
Methionine % 0.21 0.34 0.34 0.34 0.34
Ca % 0.62 0.59 0.67 0.64 0.69
P% 0.58 0.52 0.40 0.40 0.40

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 Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 10 (2009) 29-35

Results and Discussion (18.75kg). Substituting more than 20%BDG significantly

Live weight (p<0.01) reduced the body weight at the end of finisher
The average cumulative live weight (kg) of crossbred diet period with body weight of only 15.43kg (T4) and
(Landrace x Yorkshire) swine fed diets containing 11.62kg(T5). Similar trend was also observed during
different levels of BDG is presented in Table 4. During growers’ (3rd and 4th fortnight) and finisher diet period
the starter diet period (1 month feeding), the piglets fed (5 th and 6 th fortnight). At the end of 3 months
diet without any BDG (T1) attained the highest body experimental period, the piglets in diet T2 (10% BDG
weight (19.97kg) followed by diet substituted with substituted diet) attained 64.25kg body weight which
20%BDG-T3(19.68kg) and 10%BDG substituted (T2) diet was at par with the body weight of piglets (65.75kg)
receiving control (WBDG-T1) diet.
Table 4. Average fortnightly cumulative live weight (kg) of crossbred (Landrace x Yorkshire) swine fed diets containing
different levels of BDG
Treatments Fortnightly live weight change
Initial 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
T1 (WBDG) 7.94 13.38 ab
19.97 a
28.25 a
41.25 a
51.25 a
65.75a
T2 (10% BDG) 7.54 13.69a 18.75a 27.25a 40.00a 50.00a 64.25ab
T3 (20% BDG) 7.54 14.73a 19.68a 28.25a 37.50a 49.25a 60.25b
T4 (30% BDG) 7.37 11.28bc 15.43b 21.25b 26.25b 32.50b 39.75c
T5 (35 % BDG) 7.48 9.23c 11.62c 14.50c 18.00c 22.50c 27.00d
Probability 0.99 0.06 0.00** 0.00** 0.00** 0.00** 0.00**
CV % 18.99 15.19 14.22 15.52 12.77 10.89 7.19
LSD ns 2.159 4.827 7.275 8.055 8.776 7.188

Means within columns having different superscripts are significant at P<0.01

Decreasing trend of live weight from 4th fortnight the digestibility, as well as the availability of amino acids
to 6 th fortnight study period was observed with and other nutrients of pigs.
increasing levels of BDG. However, control diet, 10%
BDG and 20% BDG substituted diet from 1st to 6th
Daily feed consumption
fortnight did not vary significantly (p>0.05). However,
which was differed significantly (p<0.05) with the values Average daily feed consumption (kg) of cross bred
observed in T5 diet. The results of this study are in line (Landrace x Yorkshire) swine fed diets containing
with those of Yaakugh and Tegbe (1990) who also different levels of brewer’s dried grain is presented in
recorded depressed growth performance of grower pigs Table 5. Accordingly, average daily feed consumption
at highest inclusion level of 30% BDG. Babatunde et al. (kg) did not differ significantly among the different
(1975) and Yaakugh and Tegbe, (1990) indicated that treatments during first fortnight of feeding trial.
grower pigs fed at 15% BDG and 35% BDG had the same However, the daily feed consumption differed
growth rate and feed conversion ratio as compare to significantly (P<0.01) during 2 nd fortnight among
control diet respectively. Some of the reports indicated treatment groups with highest daily feed consumption
that high BDG levels in pigs’ diets depressed feed intake of 1.24 kg and lowest of 0.77 kg in control diet and diet
and growth rate (Kornegay 1973), which was attributed substituted with 35% BDG respectively. In rest of the
to high dietary crude fibre intake (Yaakugh and Tegbe experimental period, daily feed consumption among the
1990). Yaakugh and Tegbe (1990) also reported that the piglets receiving T1, T2 and T3 were similar but were
bulky nature of BDG diets might have adversely affected significantly (p<0.01) higher than those in the piglets

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groups receiving T4 and T5 diets. The average daily of BDG diets may have adversely affected the
feed consumption during the whole experimental period digestibility, as well as the availability of amino acids
was highest in piglets receiving T1 diet (1.86kg) and and other nutrients of pigs. This might be the reason
lowest in piglets receiving T5 diet (1.11kg). Yaakugh in the present study also where increasing level of
and Tegbe (1990) also reported that the bulky nature bulky BDG had reduced the total feed consumption.

Table 5. Average daily feed consumption (kg) of crossbred (Landrace x Yorkshire) swine fed diets containing different
levels of Brewer’s dried grain at IAAS, Livestock Farm, Rampur Chitwan 2006/07

Treatments Average daily feed consumption in different fortnight

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Overall mean

T1 (WBDG) 0.80 1.24a 1.52a 2.30a 2.44a 2.90a 1.86

T2 (10% BDG) 0.67 0.91bc 1.24ab 1.78b 2.41a 2.80a 1.63

T3 (20% BDG) 0.71 1.03ab 1.29ab 1.78b 2.10b 2.21b 1.52

T4 (30% BDG) 0.67 1.06ab 1.21b 1.59c 1.92c 1.98c 1.40

T5 (35% BDG) 0.61 0.77c 0.78c 1.15d 1.50d 1.87c 1.11

Probability 0.13 0.01** 0.00** 0.00** 0.00** 0.00**

CV % 13.28 15.82 15.36 5.13 3.47 3.98

LSD ns 0.24 0.28 0.13 0.10 0.14

Means within columns having different superscripts are significant at P<0.05

Income over feed and pig cost

Income over feed and piglet cost of crossbred
However, maximum income (109%) over expenditure
swine fed diets containing different levels of BDG is
was observed in 10% BDG (T2) followed by control
presented in Table 6. In general there was reduction
diet (T1), 20% BDG (T3) and 30% BDG (T4) and
in all types of feed cost with up to 20% BDG
minimum (-8.42%) was obtained from 35% BDG (T5).
substitution. However, above 20% substitution, an
It was observed that the lower total feed cost of 30%
increment per kg feed cost was observed. It was
BDG and 35% BDG diet did not result increased gross
because of the fact that an increment in the level of
income from sale of meat and in net income as well as
substitution of BDG above 20% there was less energy
percent income over expenditure. This result is in
content than the required. To fulfill the energy level,
agreement with the result of Amaefule et al. (2006).
higher amount of soybean oil was used costing
They have observed that the lower total feed cost of
approximately Rs. 75/litre which increased the price
40% BDG diet did not result in lower feed cost per kg
of per kg diet resulting into higher production cost,
weight gain and increased gross margin, suggesting
consequently affecting in the gross as well as net
that there might not be increased financial benefit as
income. Highest gross income (Rs. 5198.0) as well as
a result of increasing the inclusion level of BDG in
net income (Rs. 2687.34) resulted from control diet
the diet above 30%. Therefore, from the economic
(T1) followed by T2, T3 and T4. Lowest gross income
point of view the optimum inclusion level of BDG in
(Rs. 2079) and net income (Rs. -191.09) was recorded
pig diet is 10-20%, since cost minimization and gross
in diet fed with 35% BDG substitution for SBM.
income optimization is observed at these levels.

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 Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 10 (2009) 29-35

Table 6. Income over feed and piglet cost (IOFPC) of cross bred (Landrace x Yorkshire) swine fed diets containing
different levels of Brewer’s dried grain

Treatments Cost of ration (Rs/kg) TFC (kg) TFPMLC LW (kg) CPM Rs/ GISM @ NI (Rs) % IOE
(Rs) kg Rs110/ kg

T1 (WBDG) 13.68 13.61 12.97 168.32 2510.66 65.75 53.13 5198.00 2687.34 107.04
T2 (10% BDG) 12.70 12.54 12.07 147.50 2404.48 64.25 52.63 5025.70 2621.22 109.01
T3 (20% BDG) 12.92 11.78 11.39 137.00 2354.76 60.25 54.93 4715.47 2360.70 100.25
T4 (30% BDG) 13.55 12.57 11.36 126.50 2336.87 39.75 83.12 3092.67 755.80 32.34
T5 (35% BDG) 13.73 12.92 12.21 100.50 2270.09 27.00 120.11 2079.00 -191.09 -8.42
Means within columns having different superscripts are significant at P<0.05

Meat traits
Percentage sharing of different whole sale/retail cuts
Percentage sharing of different carcass traits of
of carcass against live weight basis of crossbred
crossbred swine fed diets containing different levels
swine fed diets containing different levels of BDG is
of brewer’s dried grain is presented in Table 7.
presented in Table 8. Accordingly, percentage sharing
Accordingly highest dressing percent (71.87%) was
of different carcass traits including heart, liver, spleen,
recorded with control diet (T1) and lowest (70%) with
kidney, lungs, head, hairs + blood were similar in all
diet substituted 35% brewer’s dried grain (T5). Higher
treatment groups. Percentage sharing of different
inedible meat (18.83%) was observed in T4 and lower
whole sale/retail cuts of carcass including Ham, Loin,
(17.17%) in T3. However, highest (11.67%) edible meat
Boston Shoulder, Picnic Shoulder, Belly clear plate
was recorded in T3 and lowest (10.44%) in T4.
etc were also similar in all treatments groups.

Table 7. Meat traits dressing percent of crossbred swine fed diets containing different levels of Brewer’s dried grain
at IAAS, Livestock Farm, Rampur, Chitwan, 2006
Description T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
ofdifferent cut Weight Weight Weight Weight Weight
parts % % % % %
(kg) (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg)
Live weight 62 - 45 - 52 - 41 - 25 -
Dressed weight 44.56 71.87 32.00 71.11 37.00 71.15 29.00 70.73 17.50 70.00
Inedible 10.81 17.44 7.90 17.55 8.93 17.17 7.72 18.83 4.61 18.44
Visceral weight* 9.65 15.50 6.90 15.23 7.83 15.00 6.72 16.40 4.00 16.00
Hair + Blood 1.16 1.90 1.00 2.25 1.10 2.10 1.00 2.40 0.61 2.44
Edible 6.63 10.69 5.10 11.33 6.07 11.67 4.28 10.44 2.89 11.56
Heart 0.34 0.54 0.20 0.45 0.20 0.50 0.20 0.54 0.10 0.40
Liver 1.65 2.60 1.00 2.25 1.45 2.80 0.80 1.95 0.51 2.04
Spleen 0.15 0.29 0.75 1.66 0.12 0.25 0.10 0.25 0.06 0.24
Kidney 0.44 0.70 0.20 0.45 0.25 0.50 0.15 0.35 0.10 0.40
Lungs 0.55 0.90 0.65 1.45 0.55 1.00 0.33 0.80 0.12 0.48
Head 3.50 5.70 2.30 5.15 3.50 6.70 2.70 6.58 2.00 8.00
Left half 22.26 35.90 16.00 35.56 18.00 34.62 14.00 34.15 8.50 34.00
Right Half 22.30 35.97 16.00 35.55 19.00 36.54 15.00 36.58 9.00 36.00
Total 62.00 100.00 45.00 100.00 52.00 100.00 41.00 100.00 25.00 100.00
* (Intestine full +Stomach full)

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 T.B. Rijal et al./Economic Use of Brewer’s..........

Table 8. Meat traits and dressed weight of swine fed diets containing different levels of brewer’s dried grain at IAAS,
Livestock Farm, Rampur, Chitwan, 2006

Meat traits T1 T2 T3 T4

Weight Weight Weight % Weight % Weight %

% % (kg) (kg)
(kg) (kg) (kg)

Ham 9.36 15.13 6.50 14.45 7.50 14.35 6.20 15.00 3.60 14.40
Loin 8.50 13.74 6.00 13.35 6.50 12.50 5.40 13.20 3.20 12.80
Boston Shoulder 2.80 4.50 2.00 4.45 2.50 4.80 2.00 4.80 1.30 5.20
Picnic Shoulder 4.00 6.60 3.00 6.71 3.20 6.20 2.40 5.60 1.50 6.00
Belly 7.50 12.00 5.40 12.00 6.50 12.50 4.80 12.50 3.00 12.00
Spare ribs 1.50 2.60 1.10 2.45 1.50 2.90 1.00 2.30 0.60 2.40
Jowl 1.30 2.00 1.00 2.25 1.20 2.30 0.90 2.20 0.50 2.00
Feet, Tail, Neck bone 2.70 4.30 2.00 4.45 2.30 4.40 1.80 4.30 1.00 4.00
Fat back, Clear plate, Fat trim 5.00 8.00 3.50 7.65 4.30 8.30 3.20 7.73 2.00 8.00
Lean trim 1.90 3.00 1.50 3.35 1.50 2.90 1.30 3.10 0.80 3.20
Total 44.56 71.87 32.00 71.11 37.00 71.15 29.00 70.73 17.50 70.00

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Journal 24: 31-40.

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