Storage and Utilization of Ethanol Co-Products By Small Cattle Operations

Storage and Utilization of Ethanol Co-Products By Small Cattle Operations

Summary

Educators from ten states gained knowledge and experience with ethanol co-product storage and utilization. Firsthand experience in storage techniques has prepared educators teach storage techniques. The conferences in 2008 and 2009 attracted 150 educators. Each was provided a resource packet including pictures, videos, written reports, and interactive spreadsheet tools for use in educational programs. Participant responses in follow up surveys indicate educators have taught more than 5,700 producers and 69% indicate producers they taught have adopted storage practices. Written materials and videos have extended the reach of education through the internet with more than 30,000 individual downloads of educational materials.

Objectives/Performance Targets

•Professional development conference for education Extension Educators from Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and South Dakota, as well as NRCS staff, high school agriculture educators and community college animal science educators.
•Demonstrations of mixing and storage. Educators will see storage techniques and issues of spoilage and quality. Storage types will include bunker, bag, and slab storage which are the most Commonly used by small producers.
•Interaction between educators and small livestock producers experimenting with on-farm storage. Interaction between educators and beef/cow calf experts. These producers will be included in planning and teaching the professional development conferences.
•Resources toolbox for use by educators to provide training in their local areas. Toolbox will include PowerPoint presentations, written materials, and CD’s for their future reference.
•Ag educators will become knowledgeable about storage and feeding of co-products in small cattle operations. This knowledge will be passed on to producers and students by use of demonstrations, presentations, and written materials. Producers with this knowledge will make informed decisions and adopt appropriate storage techniques. Use of distillers will improve profitability in operations, provide alternative feed when pasture is unavailable, and improve markets for distillers products in areas where ethanol plants have greater supply than demand.

Accomplishments/Milestones

In 2010 we focused on reaching the part of our target audience which was least represented at our conferences in 2008 and 2009. We hosted two one day workshops to teach about ethanol co-product storage and utilization. Each workshop had direct in classroom instruction and a storage demonstration. The first held at Southeast Community College (SCC)attracted community college animal science professors, feed consultants, high school agriculture teachers and many students. The second was held at University of Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (two year technical agriculture school in Curtis, NE). Total attendance between both locations was 93. SCC Professors liked the storage idea so much taught it as part of class and purchased distillers grains and put up a large amount for their use over the winter. Attached is a photo of the stored feed SCC five months after it was put up.

• Co-Product Storage Bag Installed at Southeast Community College

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

In 2010, 93 participants increased knowledge about ethanol co-product storage and utilization.
The archived materials have been downloaded more than 30,000 individual times and have provided further scope of education.
In 2011: We will finalize the grant with two major activities.
1. Building updated pictures and short videos which will be put online for educators to use with their clientele.
2. Update print materials which will be available online and a limited number in print. All these materails will add to the longevity of this educational project providing needed updates which will help educators continue education past the end of this grant. Students will help complete these tasks.

Collaborators: