The 2013 corn ethanol industry expansion introduced a new livestock feed: reduced-fat distillers grains which contains 3 percent less ether extract, 6 to 9 percent less corn oil, and similar energy values compared to full-fat distillers grains1,2,4. Of the fat within distillers grains, 49 percent is linoleic fatty acid which has been shown to decrease retail shelf life stability through oxidation resulting in faster onset of rancidity and decreasing consumer appeal3,5,6.
An objective of the present study was to quantify the effects of varying levels of reduced-fat modified distillers grains with solubles (RFMDGS) on carcass characteristics and fresh and processed meat quality.