22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Efficacy Of Using Glycerol By-product Of Biodiesel Processing As A Feed Additive For Grazing Beef Cattle
Suzanne N. Pitts
Dr. Glenn R. Wehner, Faculty Mentor
Truman biodiesel is made from used vegetable oil with methanol and KOH. A run is 50 gal. vegetable oil, 10 gal. methanol, plus KOH. Resulting in 50 gal. biodiesel, 10 gal. glycerol. Glycerol by-product contains same energy as corn. Some research has been done in feeding glycerol with grains to cattle. Little research has been done feeding glycerol with forages. We wanted to determine whether glycerol is a cost effective, alternative to grains. Glycerol density was determined for consistency and KOH concentration was quantified. Two methods removing methanol from glycerol were explored. Protein sources were analyzed for precipitation rate. A feed trial showed that cattle would consume glycerol without grains either as an additive on hay or free choice supplement. No protein stayed suspended. More research is needed with thickened glycerol and in adding glycerol to big bales.
Keywords: Biodiesel, glycerol
Topic(s):Agricultural Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 9-3
Location: PML
Time: 4:15