The U.S. Grains Council’s seminar on using distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in feedlot cattle rations drew an exceptionally large audience and “fantastic feedback,� according to Neil Campbell, the USGC’s Canadian representative.

“Eighty percent of the cattle fed in Alberta were represented in the room, including Canada’s largest feedlot, which is now using 150 tons of DDGS each day,� Campbell reports.

Attendees cited the excellent line-up of speakers, who provided a top-to-bottom look at issues related to DDGS use in feedlots.

Canadian feed and livestock researchers dominated the lineup of 16 speakers for the one-day seminar in Lethbridge, and topics focused on Canadian feedlot issues, the management of DDGS in feedlot rations, and DDGS supply, procurement, and handling.

The conference represented a new stage in the Council’s DDGS market development in Canada, which initially focused on working with swine producers.

“Feeding DDGS is not a new concept for Canada’s feedlot industry,� explains Campbell. “But as we met with the Alberta people, we felt there was room for them to increase DDGS inclusion rates. They were tapping out at about 15 to 20 percent, but U.S. experience and research, including a feeding trial, showed they could go to 30 to 40 percent. This conference was a way to get the word out.�

Attendance, originally planned for 75 to 100, rocketed to 150 registrations. Walk-ins on the day of the conference pushed the final turnout to 180.

The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency Ltd. and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada joined the USGC as conference