From Brewery to Ranch: How Spent Grain Can Become a Smart Cattle Feed Option spent grain cattle feed

What happens to all the grain left over after a brewer finish making beer?

For some Canadian cattle producers, the answer is surprisingly simple:

It can become cattle feed.

Spent grain is a byproduct of the brewing process. Instead of sending usable material toward disposal, it can be redirected into livestock feeding programs when properly handled and incorporated into an appropriate ration.

A recent Canadian Cattlemen feature highlighted an Alberta business connecting Calgary craft breweries with cattle producers. The operation reportedly collects 56 to 75 tonnes of spent grain each week from 33 breweries and supplies it to cattle operations.

The concept is interesting for two reasons.

First, it creates another use for a food-industry byproduct.

Second, it can provide cattle producers with another source of nutrients that may help stretch available forage and manage feed costs.

But spent grain isn't simply something you dump in front of cattle.

Like any alternative feed ingredient, it needs to be understood, stored correctly and included in a balanced feeding program.

What Exactly Is Spent Grain?

Spent grain, often called brewers grains, is the grain residue left after the brewing process extracts the soluble components needed to produce beer.

It is generally moist, fibrous and nutrient-rich.

The material can contain useful amounts of:

• Protein

• Fibre

• Energy

• Lipids

• Other nutrients

  
  

The exact nutritional value depends on the source, processing method, moisture content and other factors.

Canadian Cattlemen's report on the Calgary operation notes that the spent grain being collected was approximately 25% protein when dried and about 5–6% protein in its wet form, illustrating why moisture and dry-matter basis are extremely important when evaluating the feed.

Spent Grain Can Help Stretch Lower-Quality Forage spent grain cattle feed

One interesting application is combining spent grain with lower-quality forage.

The Canadian Cattlemen article describes producers mixing spent grain with poorer-quality hay to help stretch feed supplies and increase the protein contribution of the ration.

That can be particularly useful when hay supplies are expensive or when available forage is lower in nutritional quality.

However, the quality of the hay still matters.

A feed ingredient shouldn't be viewed as a magic solution for poor forage.

The complete ration needs to meet the animal's nutritional requirements.

Wet Spent Grain Is Very Different From Dried Feed

This is one of the most important points.

Wet and dried spent grain are not nutritionally interchangeable on an as-fed basis.

Wet spent grain contains a large amount of water.

That means producers need to consider dry matter, not simply the number of kilograms or pounds delivered.

For example, Ontario's alternative-feed guidance lists wet brewers grains at approximately 40% dry matter, illustrating how much of the material may actually be water.

Dry-matter calculations help producers compare different feed ingredients more accurately.

Instead of asking:

"How much does this feed cost per tonne?"

Ask:

"What does this feed cost per tonne of dry matter?"

That provides a much better comparison.

 Storage Can Become the Biggest Challenge

There is a major difference between buying a dry bag of feed and handling wet brewery byproducts.

Wet spent grain requires appropriate:

• Storage

• Handling

• Transportation

• Feed-bunk capacity

• Equipment

• Turnover

  
  

Moist feed can deteriorate quickly if it isn't managed correctly.

Ontario's alternative-feed guidance lists wet brewers grains among feeds requiring suitable storage such as a pile, bunker or bag.

The goal is to prevent unnecessary exposure to air, moisture and contamination.

Spoiled feed isn't a bargain.

Logistics Can Make or Break the Business

The Calgary example demonstrates that the challenge isn't necessarily whether cattle can use spent grain.

Sometimes the real challenge is getting it from the brewery to the ranch.

Many craft breweries aren't designed like feed mills.

They may operate primarily as restaurants with:

• Small loading areas

• Limited storage

• No large loading dock

• Restricted access

• Tight urban locations

  
  

The Canadian Cattlemen article describes brewery pickup logistics as one of the most difficult parts of the operation.

That creates an interesting business opportunity.

A producer might want the feed.

A brewery might want a reliable way to move the byproduct.

The missing piece can be transportation.

Ration Balance Still Matters

Spent grain shouldn't be treated as a complete cattle ration simply because it contains protein and fibre.

Cattle need balanced amounts of:

• Energy

• Protein

• Fibre

• Minerals

• Vitamins

• Water

  
  

Different classes of cattle have different nutritional requirements.

A beef cow in maintenance doesn't have the same nutritional needs as a growing calf or finishing animal.

The Canadian Cattle Association emphasizes that balanced rations are critical to cattle health and that byproduct feeds should be carefully formulated and monitored.

Mineral Balance Shouldn't Be Ignored

Alternative feeds can have unusual nutrient profiles.

That means adding one ingredient may change the balance of the entire ration.

For example, extension guidance on wet brewers grains notes that they can be relatively low in calcium and potassium while contributing phosphorus, making appropriate mineral supplementation important in some feeding situations.

This is another reason not to evaluate a feed ingredient based on protein percentage alone.

The Business Opportunity Behind Spent Grain

The Calgary example isn't only a story about cattle feed.

It's a story about connecting two industries that have different problems.

Breweries have:

A byproduct they need to manage.

Cattle producers have:

A constant need for affordable feed ingredients.

A transportation business can provide:

The connection between them.

That's exactly what makes the model interesting.

According to Canadian Cattlemen, Victoria Ross founded aGRO Systems in 2018 and eventually built a collection and delivery operation serving breweries and cattle producers. The business started with a relatively small investment in a truck and totes and grew into a system collecting tens of tonnes of spent grain each week.

How to Compare Spent Grain With Other Feed Ingredients

Don't compare feeds only by price per tonne.

Instead, consider:

1. Dry Matter Cost

How much usable dry feed are you actually purchasing?

2. Protein Value

How much usable protein does the ingredient contribute?

3. Energy

Does it provide the energy required by the animal?

4. Fibre

How does it fit into the forage portion of the ration?

5. Mineral Profile

Will the ingredient change calcium, phosphorus or other mineral requirements?

6. Transportation

How much will it cost to get the feed to your farm?

7. Storage

Do you have the facilities and equipment to handle it?

8. Spoilage Risk

Can you use it quickly enough to maintain quality?

These factors determine whether a feed is genuinely economical.

Spent Grain Isn't Automatically "Cheap Feed"

A feed ingredient can have a low purchase price and still be expensive after transportation, storage, spoilage and handling are considered.

For example:

Low purchase price + expensive transportation = potentially expensive feed.

Likewise:

Cheap feed + high spoilage = wasted money.

A good alternative-feed program looks at the entire cost.

What About Small Farms?

Small cattle operations may have a different calculation than large feedlots.

A smaller producer might benefit if:

• A brewery is located nearby

• The supply is consistent

• Transportation is inexpensive

• Storage is available

• The feed fits the existing ration

• The producer can use it quickly

  
  

But the same producer could lose the economic advantage if they need to drive long distances or invest heavily in handling equipment.

What This Means for Canadian Cattle Producers

The lesson from the Calgary brewery-to-ranch model isn't that every cattle producer should immediately start feeding spent grain.

The bigger lesson is that alternative feed ingredients deserve an economic and nutritional evaluation.

Barley, corn, hay, silage, distillers grains, brewers grains and other byproducts can all have a place in cattle feeding programs depending on price, availability and nutritional value.

The best option is the one that works for the specific operation.

FAQs

Is spent grain good for cattle?

Spent grain can be a useful cattle-feed ingredient because it can provide protein, fibre and other nutrients. However, its nutritional value varies and it should be incorporated into a balanced ration.

Can cattle eat wet brewers grains?

Yes, wet brewers grains can be used in cattle feeding programs. Because they contain substantial moisture, producers need to evaluate their dry-matter content and storage requirements.

How much protein is in spent grain?

Protein content varies depending on moisture and processing. The Calgary operation featured by Canadian Cattlemen reported approximately 25% protein on a dried basis and around 5–6% in its wet form.

Does spent grain replace hay?

Not automatically. Spent grain is better viewed as a feed ingredient that can complement forage and help stretch lower-quality feed when properly formulated into the ration.

Can spent grain reduce cattle feed costs?

It can, depending on purchase price, dry-matter value, transportation, storage and how it fits into the existing ration. A low purchase price does not necessarily mean a low delivered cost.

How should wet spent grain be stored?

Wet spent grain requires appropriate storage and handling to reduce spoilage. Producers should have a suitable storage system and use the material at a rate that matches its shelf life.

Should spent grain be introduced slowly?

Yes. New feed ingredients should generally be introduced gradually so cattle can adapt and the producer can monitor intake and digestive response.

Is spent grain suitable for every class of cattle?

Not necessarily. Nutritional requirements differ between calves, growing cattle, finishing cattle, mature cows and other groups. The ration should be formulated for the specific class of cattle.

Where can Ontario cattle producers find alternative feed?

Ontario producers can investigate alternative feed ingredients through local feed suppliers, feed specialists and agricultural resources. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture provides information on alternative feeds for beef cattle.