For decades, soybean meal has dominated as the main protein source in U.S. calf starter grain. But researchers at Kansas State University saw untapped potential in a new distillers grain product called Protomax™, produced by ICM, Inc.

Dr. Billy Brown, Assistant Professor of Dairy Nutrition at KSU, described the shift: "The ethanol industry is doing a great job adding value to its co-products. They're not just by-products anymore-they're viable nutrition tools."

Unlike traditional distillers grain, which often caused poor growth due to high fiber content, Protomax is fractionated to remove indigestible corn bran and dried without solubles, resulting in a low-fiber, high-protein product-nearly 50% crude protein.

Kansas State's study compared calves on a Protomax-based starter versus a soybean meal-based starter. Contrary to expectations, calves on the distillers grain ration had higher average daily gain, greater dry matter intake, and no drop in feed efficiency.

Even more surprising, they showed higher apparent total tract and protein digestibility. Researchers also balanced amino acids using rumen-protected lysine and methionine, eliminating previous nutritional gaps in distillers-based rations.

The kicker? Feed cost was 6 cents per calf per day lower with Protomax, even including amino acid supplementation. That's approximately $5.00/ton less than the traditional ration.

Dr. Brown emphasized the bigger picture: "Calves that gain more weight preweaning tend to produce more milk over their lifetime. If we can help support that through grain feeding too, not just milk, it's a long-term win."