It's one of those things that began as a by-product and gradually became a customer upgrade, both financially and environmentally. If you're in the business of feed, ethanol, or just looking for better alternatives in animal nutrition, this one's worth understanding properly.

What Is DDGS?

The long version is Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles. The short version is a grain product that is nutrient-dense and produced during ethanol production.

Most of the starch in a grain, such as corn or sorghum, becomes alcohol during the ethanol production process. What is left over is a mash-up of protein, fiber, oil, and non-fermentable grain parts. That's the distiller's grain. Add back in the syrupy solubles (a by-product from the same fermentation process), dry the whole mix, and you get DDGS.

It's not a waste. It's high-value animal feed, and in many cases, a smart replacement for more expensive ingredients like soybean meal or corn.

The DDGS Production Process: From Grain to Feed

It all starts in a dry-mill ethanol plant. Here's how the DDGS manufacturing process usually plays out:

  • Grains are ground and fermented. Enzymes and yeast are added to break down starch and turn it into ethanol.
  • Ethanol is removed through distillation. What remains is a thick grain mash—rich in nutrients.
  • The mash is separated. Solids become wet distillers grains, while the liquid (called thin stillage) is collected separately.
  • The liquid is evaporated into syrup. These are the distillers solubles.
  • Solids and solubles are blended, then dried. The final product is DDGS—easy to store, transport, and use.

It's a straightforward system that turns every part of the grain into something useful. Fuel on one end, feed on the other.

Why Do Feed Manufacturers Use DDGS?

Let's be practical. Feed costs are one of the biggest expenses in livestock production. So when an ingredient offers decent protein, energy, and fiber, without the premium price tag, it gets attention.

Here's what makes dried distillers grain appealing:

  • Protein content is usually between 32–35% in Maize & 43–46% in Rice.
  • Fat content runs 8–12%, adding energy value.
  • Digestible fiber supports gut health, especially in ruminants.
  • It also contains useful amounts of phosphorus and amino acids.

For dairy and beef cattle, DDGS fits easily into total mixed rations. For poultry or pigs, it's used in lower proportions—but still plays a solid role in balancing diets and cutting costs.

Storage and Shelf Life

Unlike wet distillers grain, which needs to be used quickly, DDGS can sit in a warehouse without spoiling. It's dry, it doesn't go moldy fast, and it holds up well across seasons. That makes it ideal for long-haul transport and export markets too.

The Sustainability Angle

This part often flies under the radar. But it's important.

Ethanol plants produce a lot of residual material. Rather than throw it away or let it go to waste, they turn it into something valuable. That's the beauty of distillers grains with solubles.

Every ton of DDGS used in feed:

  • Offsets the use of virgin protein crops like soy.
  • Reduces the environmental footprint of ethanol production.
  • Helps close the loop between food, fuel, and farming.

In a world where everyone's talking about resource efficiency, this is what it looks like in practice.

Is DDGS Cost-Effective Compared to Other Feeds?

In most markets, yes.

Prices swing based on local grain and ethanol economics, but generally, DDGS comes in cheaper than soybean meal per unit of protein. It's not just about price per ton—it's about what that ton delivers. And DDGS delivers a good mix of protein, energy, and fiber at a competitive cost.

Conclusion

What started as a leftover from ethanol production has become a staple in the global feed trade. DDGS is affordable, nutritionally solid, and increasingly important for sustainable agriculture.

It won't replace every other feed ingredient. But it doesn't have to. It fits into smart feed strategies, reduces costs, and supports circular systems where nothing goes to waste.

If you're in the feed industry or agri-energy space, it's worth paying attention to what DDGS brings to the table.

Partner with SSEPL for Reliable DDGS Solutions

From supporting ethanol plants with the right technology to ensuring quality output for feed applications, SSEPL delivers solutions that work on the ground.

Looking to source high-quality DDGS or optimize your plant for better distillers grain recovery?

Talk to our team. Let's build smarter feed and fuel systems together.

Frequently Asked Question

  • 1. What is Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles?
    DDGS is a grain-based by-product from ethanol production that’s dried and blended with solubles, used mainly as animal feed.
  • 2. How is DDGS produced in ethanol plants?
    It’s made by fermenting grain, removing the ethanol, collecting the leftover solids and syrup, drying them, and blending them into a stable feed product.
  • 3. What are the nutritional benefits of DDGS?
    DDGS is rich in protein, digestible fiber, fat, and essential minerals, making it a balanced and cost-effective ingredient for animal diets.
  • 4. How does DDGS contribute to sustainable agriculture?
    It turns industrial by-products into usable feed, reduces waste, and lowers demand for traditional crops like soybeans or corn.
  • 5. Is DDGS cost-effective compared to other feed options?
    Yes, in most cases, DDGS offers high nutritional value at a lower price point than many conventional protein sources.