Commercial Grain Research Articles

Simultaneous Determination of Multi-Mycotoxins in Cereal Grains Collected from South Korea by LC/MS/MS

An improved analytical method compared with conventional ones was developed for simultaneous determination of 13 mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, 3-acetylnivalenol, aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1, aflatoxin G2, fumonisin B1, fumonisin B2, T-2, HT-2, zearalenone, and ochratoxin A) in cereal grains by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) after a single immunoaffinity column clean-up. The method showed a good linearity, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in mycotoxin determination by LC/MS/MS. The levels of 13 mycotoxins in 5 types of commercial grains (brown rice, maize, millet, sorghum, and mixed cereal) from South Korea were determined in a total of 507 cereal grains. Mycotoxins produced from Fusarium sp. (fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, and zearalenone) were more frequently (more than 5%) and concurrently detected in all cereal grains along with higher mean levels (4.3–161.0 ng/g) in positive samples than other toxins such as aflatoxins and ochratoxin A (less than 9% and below 5.2 ng/g in positive samples) from other fungal species.

Sugarcane Aphid Spatial Distribution in Grain Sorghum Fields

Abstract. Sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, is an important summer grain crop in the United States. In 2014, the U.S. produced 432 million bushels of sorghum valued at $1.67 billion on more than 2.43 million ha. The sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), was discovered in damaging numbers in grain sorghum in Texas and Louisiana in 2013. The sugarcane aphid can be very damaging to sorghum grown for grain and forage and is capable of explosive population growth. An objective sampling plan based on knowledge of spatial distribution of the aphid in sorghum would be useful for pest management decision making. We sampled 94 commercial grain sorghum fields in five southern states during 2 years to obtain data that were used to assess several aspects of sugarcane aphid distribution within and among sorghum plants in commercial grain sorghum fields. There were frequently significant differences in number of aphids among upper and lower leaves in fields in each state. However, there were no consistent...

BRS FC402: high-yielding common bean cultivar with carioca grain, resistance to anthracnose and fusarium wilt

Abstract - BRS FC402 is a common bean cultivar of the carioca-grain group with commercial grain quality, suitable for cultivation in 21 Brazilian states. Cultivar has a normal cycle (85-94 days), high yield potential (4479 kg ha-1), 10.1% higher mean yield than the controls (2462 kg ha-1) and resistance to fusarium wilt and anthracnose.

Delivering Beauveria bassiana with electrostatic powder for the control of stored-product beetles.

The efficacy of a Beauveria bassiana-based formulation (Bb38) with Entostat, an electrostatically charged powder, was investigated as a surface treatment against Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Oryzaephilus surinamensis and Sitophilus granarius adults. In lab bioassays, the efficacy of Bb38 against the aforementioned species was examined on concrete, plywood, steel and ceramic, whereas its residual efficacy against the same species was assessed on concrete and steel in the presence or absence of illumination. Finally, the efficacy of Bb38 against O. surinamensis and S. granarius adults was assessed in a commercial grain storage facility under realistic field conditions. In the lab trials, O. surinamensis and C. ferrugineus were much more susceptible to Bb38 than S. granarius on all types of surfaces. Moreover, Bb38 was, at least for O. surinamensis and C. ferrugineus, as effective as the chemical standard (deltamethrin) for at least 2 months after the application, regardless of the presence or absence of illumination. Finally, in the field trial Bb38 provided a satisfactory level of control against O. surinamensis. Bb38 is an effective surface treatment, but its efficacy varies according to the target species, the type of surface and the time post-application. This is the first published report that examines the efficacy of Bb38 as a surface treatment for wider uses in empty warehouses and related storage facilities. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

The valuation of commercial grain silos

A grain silo is a unique form of real estate because of its construction, use and income generation. The study is based on vertical concrete silos built for the sole purpose of storing grain. Silos are, in essence, income-producing properties, but because the tenant is the owner of grain and oilseed, the income produced by the silo fluctuates from year to year depending on the size of annual grain harvests. The purpose of this qualitative study is to establish which valuation methodology is best applicable to grain silos and to explore the factors that make grain silos unique in the determination of their value. Sources of information include historical research, unstructured interviews and case studies. The results of this study indicate that grain silos should be valued using the income capitalisation method. Income is calculated based on a long-term trend; expenses are calculated on financial information, and a capitalisation rate is calculated by adding risk to a baseline capitalisation rate. This study provides a guide to valuers and silo owners on how to determine the value of silos. The study focuses on grain silos that store maize and soya beans in the Highveld of Mpumalanga. The principles determined will be the same if other silos in other regions charge for storage and handling in the same way as used in this study.‘n Graansilo is ‘n unieke tipe eiendom as gevolg van konstruksie, gebruik en hoe inkomste verdien word. Die studie fokus op vertikale beton graansilos gebou uitsluitlik vir die stoor van graan. Silos is inkomsteproduserende eiendomme, maar omdat die huurder die eienaar van graan en oliesade is, is die inkomste wat ‘n silo kan produseer wisselend gebaseer op die grootte van die jaarlikse oes. Die doelwit van hierdie kwalitatiewe studie is om te bepaal op watter waardasiemetode ‘n graansilo waardeer moet word en om die faktore te bepaal wat ‘n silo uniek maak in die bepaling van die waarde. Die studie is gebaseer op historiese navorsing, ongestruktureerde onderhoude en ‘n gevallestudie. Die bevindings van hierdie studie is dat graansilos op die gekapitaliseerde-inkomste-metode van waardasie gedoen moet word. Inkomste word bepaal deur ‘n langtermyn gemiddeld of tendens in besetting te bepaal. Uitgawes word bepaal uit die finansiele inligting van die silo. Die kapitalisasiekoers word bepaal deur risiko by ‘n basis kapitalisasiekoers te voeg. Die studie is ‘n gids om waardeerders en silo-eienaars te help om die waarde van ‘n graansilo te bepaal. Die studie konsentreer op graansilos in die hoeveld van Mpumalanga wat meestal mielies en sojabone stoor. Die beginsels wat bepaal word deur die studie sal dieselfde wees in ander areas van die land asook vir ander graantipes indien die stoor en hanteringsfooie op dieselfde manier toegepas word.

English

The standard germination tests have been commonly used on commercial grain crops, such as soybean, field beans, rice and maize. However, there are no standard tests for potential new crops; quinoa being one of them. This work is aimed at evaluating the effect of substrate, temperature and counting time in seed germination of quinoa. The following treatments were used in tests with seeds: on blotter paper, between blotter paper, on sand and within sand, all previously soaked with distilled water. These substrates were combined to the temperatures of 15, 20, 25, 30°C, and alternated between 20 to 30°C. The experiment was conducted on an entirely randomized factorial design 5 × 4 (temperature × substrate) with 4 repetitions. Normal seedlings, abnormal seedlings and dead seeds were counted until stabilized. The germination velocity index and mean time for germination were calculated.  From the results, it was concluded that germination test of quinoa seeds should be conducted at 20 to 30°C alternate temperatures, on or between blotter paper, with initial count at 2 days and final count at 4 days. Key words: Chenopodium quinoa willd., substrate temperature, counting time, seed viability.

Using Workers' Compensation Claims Data to Characterize Occupational Injuries in the Commercial Grain Elevator Industry.

Workplace injuries in the grain handling industry are common, yet little research has characterized worker injuries in grain elevators across all hazard types. Learning from past injuries is essential for preventing future occurrences, but the lack of injury information for the grain handling industry hinders this effort. The present study addresses this knowledge gap by using data from over 7000 workers' compensation claims reported from 2008 to 2016 by commercial grain handling facilities in the U.S. to characterize injury costs and severity. The total amount paid for each claim was used as a measure of injury severity. The effects of employee age and tenure, cause of injury, and body part injured on the cost of work-related injuries were investigated. Contingency tables were used to classify the variable pairs. The chi-square test and chi-square residuals were employed to evaluate the relationship between the variable pairs and identify the at-risk groups. Results showed that the employee age and tenure, cause of injury, and body part injured have a significant influence on the cost paid for the claim. Several at-risk groups were identified as a result of the analyses. Findings from the study will assist commercial grain elevators in the development of targeted safety interventions and assist grain elevator safety managers in mitigating financial and social losses from occupational injuries.

Identifying lines of the black-eyed cowpea having high productivity and quality commercial grain

The black-eyed cowpea, is consumed in Brazil and valued in various other countries, and for this reason, can be found on the domestic market, showing the potential for export. The aim of this study was to identify lines of the black-eyed cowpea having high productivity and quality commercial grain. Twenty-four lines of black-eyed commercial subclass of cowpea, taken from the breeding program of Embrapa Meio-Norte, and two controls (BRS Itaim and CB-27) were evaluated. The experiments were carried out in Nova Ubirata, in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil (MT) during 2014, and in Primavera do Leste MT and Sinop MT during 2015, in the off-season; planting was in February/March and harvesting in May/June. The experimental design was of randomised complete blocks with four replications, in plots of 4 rows of 5 metres spaced 0.45 metres apart. Crop value, lodging and grain productivity were evaluated. The occurrence of blemished grain was also assessed, both by counting the blemished grain (visual selection), and by colorimetric analysis, using the CIE L* a* b* colour scale. Four lines showed potential for inclusion in the trials for crop value and use (VCU) as per the recommendation of the State of Mato Grosso, by combining grain productivity comparable to that of the BRS Itaim cultivar and a low percentage of blemished grain. Visual evaluation by counting the blemished grain, was efficient in identifying lines of the black-eyed cowpea with better grain quality in relation to the BRS Itaim cultivar. Colour reading using the CIE L* a* b* scale did not satisfactorily differentiate the occurrence of blemished grain in lines of the black-eyed cowpea.

Вплив технологічних прийомів вирощування на зернову та насіннєву продуктивність люпину вузьколистого

Modern world tendencies of formation of the food and feed resources can't be solved without a solution of the protein crisis – a key component of the global food problem. The need for vegetable protein causes rapid expansion of the area under annual grain legumes, increase of their yield with the aim of obtaining a qualitative high protein food, valuable protein ingredients and, consequently, animal feed. Taking into account the biological characteristics of the narrow-leaved lupin, this culture can grow and develop even at the early sowing, that’s why the narrow-leaved lupin, like other types of this culture, belongs to the spring group of the very first sowing. The shown data evidences about the considerable prospects of this crop in agriculture, because of the high level of productivity and relatively short growing season, varieties of the narrow-leaved lupin can be popular among legumes, along with soya and peas. The purpose of the research was to determine the influence of sowing date and methods of the narrow-leaved lupin on the yield and seed productivity in conditions of Polissia, taking into account global climate changes. Weather conditions in the research years significantly differed in precipitation during the vegetation period of the narrow-leaved lupin (April-July). 2015 was the driest year with 105 mm of rain during the vegetation period, which is 2.5 times less compared to average multi-year norm. 2014 and 2016 were more moistened with 201 and 175 mm of rain respectively during vegetation. The lack of moisture in the soil negatively influenced the growth and development of the narrow-leaved lupin; this fact affected the formation of its seed productivity and quality of obtained seeds. In such weather conditions the potential of the variety and seeds is not fully used. Ineffective action of mineral fertilizers, which have been applied by basal and foliar methods, is observed. In this regard, in 2014–2016 there was the study of seed productivity of the narrow-leaved lupin and quality of obtained seeds from the harvest, which depended on the combined effect of technological factors in the context of global climate changes. Analysis of the results of the research that was conducted in the years with favourable weather conditions, helped to determine a clear correlation of the influence of sowing methods, seeding rate and fertilization system on grain yield of the narrow-leaved lupin, as well as the yield of certified seeds with their qualitative indicators. The highest average yield for research years was obtained using line sowing method with the seeding rate (0.6 million pieces/ha) of similar seeds with 15 cm row space with a complete fertilizer dose of N 30 P 60 K 60 in combination with two foliar feedings – 19,8 centner/ha of Grozynsky 9 and 16.0 centner/ha of Winner. The highest seed productivity, high quality of seed and the multiplication factor of the seed were provided by the sowing of the narrow-leaved lupin with 0.9 million pieces/ha of similar seeds by line sowing method with 15 cm row space and by interlined method with 30 cm row space with a complete mineral fertilizer N 30 P 60 K 60 in combination with foliar feeding of water soluble NPK-fertilizers with microelements. These sowing methods are suitable for growing of basic seeds of the narrow-leaved lupin in test and elite seed groups. The highest grain yield and the yield of certified seeds were got due to a seeding rate of 1.2 million pieces/ha of similar seeds by line sowing method with 15 cm row space with a complete mineral fertilizer N 30 P 60 K 60 in combination with foliar feeding of water soluble NPK-fertilizers with microelements. This sowing method and seeding rate are recommended for growing of certified seeds and commercial grain. Keywords: Lupinus angustifolius, yield, seeding rate, sowing methods, mineral nutrition, seed production

Using a nitrogen-phosphorus ratio to identify phosphorus risk factors and their spatial heterogeneity in an intensive agricultural area

High phosphorus risk in intensive agricultural regions, which threatens an increasing number of water bodies within the regions, is driven by the nitrogen-phosphorus ratio (N:P ratio). The mechanism remains unclear, however. Most nutrient studies are based on local-scale field trials, which failed to identify the geographical factors that drive phosphorus accumulation at the larger scale of a watershed. To address this issue, we adopted a large-scale, remote-sensing-driven model to simulate the N:P ratio in the soil of the Sanjiang Plain, one of the most important commercial grain bases of China. A grid-random sampling method was employed to test the validity of the model. The results show that 35% of the higher N:P ratios were converted to lower ratios in old cultivated land where the concentration of soil phosphorus increased by 1–2 times over 11years (2000–2010); however, in the new cropland cultivated from forestland, grassland and wetland, 18% of the lower N:P ratios were converted to higher ratios, with soil phosphorus concentration increased slightly. Higher N:P ratios come from greater nitrogen input into the new cropland soil, which reduces soil pH and then enhances phosphorus accumulation, thus increasing the phosphorus risk. We find that the variation in land-use types and the excessive input of anthropogenic fertilizers are the two dominant factors influencing the N:P ratio. Intensive anthropologic activities changed traditional knowledge on the relationship between the N:P ratio and phosphorus accumulation, and further necessitated large-scale research on nutrients in intensive agricultural regions. The finding can shed new light on phosphorus management and non-point source pollution control in intensive agricultural areas.

Evaluation of Shape, Roundness, Sphericity and Equality in commercial yellow hard corn (Zea mays L.) and pea (Pisum sativum) grains

It has been evaluated the shape, roundness, sphericity and equanticity of commercial yellow hard corn and dry pea grains, making micronometric measurements in 140 and 100 grains randomly in each quarter, in samples of one kilogram divided into four equal parts respectively.The results indicate that the hard yellow corn is very close to the discoid, it is located between rounded and rounded sub, is of medium sphericity and shows a non spherical equanticity, whereas dry pea has a shape very close to the spherical or equidimensional, Is very rounded, has high sphericity and shows a spherical equanticity.

Combination of Methoprene and Controlled Aeration to Manage Insects in Stored Wheat

A commercial formulation of the insect growth regulator methoprene was applied to wheat stored in small bins either alone or in combination with controlled aeration of the bins, to lower grain temperature for insect pest management of stored wheat. Grain temperatures were monitored and modified by a computer-controlled thermocouple system that also activated the aeration system at programmed set-points to move cool ambient air through the grain mass to lower grain temperature. Results from sampling insect populations in experimental storage bins along with laboratory mortality bioassays of insects placed on wheat taken from the bins over the course of the storage period showed that methoprene was very effective in controlling infestation by the externally-feeding stored grain insects Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), the Indian meal moth Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), the red flour beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), the rusty grain beetle, and also for the internal-feeding pest Rhyzopertha dominica( Fauvel), the lesser grain borer. Methoprene did not give good control of the internal-feeding pest Sitophilus oryzae (L.), the rice weevil. Aeration alone was somewhat effective in suppressing insect population development, while methoprene alone or when combined with aeration greatly enhanced insect control. Commercial grain grading for industry quality standards at the end of the storage period confirmed the impact of insect suppression on maintaining high quality of the stored wheat. This field experiment shows that methoprene combined with aeration to cool grain can be effective for pest management of stored wheat in the southern plains of the United States of America.

Fuel ethanol production from commercial grain sorghum cultivars with different tannin content

The two-step enzymatic starch hydrolysis of three commercial sorghum grain cultivars (Flash 10 Plus, 8419 and Flash 1) containing different tannin content (<0.2%, 1.1% and 2.0% respectively) was evaluated, in order to determine the most promising process for the production of ethanol. High viscosities were obtained for suspensions of the three cultivars (6440–8071 cP). The hydrolysis efficiency values were two and three times greater in the cultivars with higher tannin content (8419 and Flash 1, respectively) when a gelatinization step previous to starch hydrolysis was performed, reaching similar values for the three cultivars (87%–88%); for the low-tannins cultivar a lower improvement was observed. The addition of a protease, pepsin, which could disrupt the interaction between the protein and starch, did not improve the starch hydrolysis efficiency. Simultaneous saccharification and ethanol fermentation (SSF) assays were carried out. The removal of tannins improved the performance of the SSF, suggesting that this treatment may have eliminated inhibitors and also contributed to a partial depolymerization or loss of crystallinity of starch. For a 1:3 solid–liquid ratio, an ethanol concentration of 107 g/L at 68 h, a fermentation efficiency of 100% and an industrial yield of 390 L/t of sorghum (dry basis) were obtained.

Long‐Term Changes in Soil Carbon Stocks in the Brazilian Cerrado Under Commercial Soybean

AbstractThe net effect of agriculture on soil carbon is not yet fully understood. While a number of studies on shallow profiles have been published, evidence suggests that carbon stock changes occur in deeper layers. In this study we analyzed the effect of agriculture in the Cerrado soil C looking at changes in seven different profile depths from 0 to 100 cm in a commercial grain farm. We also used isotopic techniques to distinguish between the original Cerrado C3 carbon and the C4 carbon derived from the grasses used in agriculture. At 0–5 cm depth C stocks significantly decreased with cultivation time. The C stock did not change significantly when it was calculated using the 0–10, 0–20, 0–30, 0–50 or 0–75 cm profile (p &gt; 0·05) but increased with cultivation time when the profile considered was 0–100 cm (p &lt; 0·05). A two‐source isotope model revealed that there was a significant increase in carbon derived from C4 grasses for all depths with cultivation time. Annual carbon sequestration rates for the upper 100 cm of soil were 1·1 Mg C ha−1 year−1 for total carbon and 0·8 Mg C4 C ha−1 year−1 for C4 carbon. The oldest area, with 23 years of cultivation, had a soil C stock increase compared to the native Cerrado soil of 17·6%. These findings suggest that commercial grain farms practices may increase soil C stock compared to native Cerrado soil, if a more complete soil profile down to 100 cm is used to assess C stocks. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

A Comparison of the Levels of Oil, Carotenoids, and Lipolytic Enzyme Activities in Modern Lines and Hybrids of Grain Sorghum

AbstractCarotenoids are potentially valuable components in grain sorghum and there is a need to better understand their concentration, composition, and value. Thirteen modern commercial grain sorghum hybrids and five sorghum lines were extracted and analyzed and the levels of oil and carotenoids were compared. The same samples were also evaluated for lipolytic enzyme activity. The oil content in all eighteen samples ranged from 3.21 to 4.29 wt%. Lutein and zeaxanthin were the predominant carotenoids and the levels of total carotenoids ranged from 3.82 to 19.5 ppm in the oil, which was much lower than the levels of total carotenoids in two yellow corn samples (70.8 and 103 ppm). Lipolytic enzyme activity was estimated by storing milled kernel samples for 2 weeks at 25 °C and measuring the levels of total free fatty acids. After 2 weeks, the levels of free fatty acids in the oil of the eighteen sorghum samples ranged from 11.49 and 52.17 wt%, compared to 10.29 and 17.54 wt% in oil from the two corn samples. This new data will be useful for persons using grain sorghum for food, biofuels and other industrial applications. Examples of sorghum genotypes with high and low levels of carotenoids and high and low levels of lipolytic enzymes were both identified.

Changes in contents of trichothecenes during commercial grain milling

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine changes in contamination with mycotoxins group of trichothecenes in naturally infested grain samples of 4 cereal species at every stage of the technological process. Samples were collected from the technological lines of a mill located in Poland in the years 2006–2008. They were analyzed in terms the concentration of trichothecenes A and B. The mean concentrations of total mycotoxins, rye grain contained the greatest amounts of these metabolites at 0.080 mg/kg, barley grain had a significantly lower total trichothecene concentration of 0.052 mg/kg. Mean contents of total toxins in oat and wheat grains were the lowest, did not differ significantly and amounted to 0.015 mg/kg and 0.014 mg/kg, respectively. This study showed a significant effect of the milling process on levels of mycotoxins in the final product.

Examination of commercially available copper oxide wire particles in combination with albendazole for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in lambs

Control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) remains a critical issue due to the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance. The objective of the experiment was to determine the efficacy of copper oxide wire particles (COWP) from three commercial sources and a combination of COWP and albendazole to control GIN and/or Haemonchus contortus in lambs. Naturally infected Katahdin lambs in early June 2014 and 2015 were randomly assigned to receive no COWP (CON; n=9 and 12) or 2g COWP in a gel capsule as Copasure® (COP; n=4 and 17; Animax Ltd.), copper oxide—wire form (AUS; n=7 in 2014 only; Pharmplex), Ultracruz™ (ULT; n=8 and 15; Santa Cruz Animal Health™), no COWP and albendazole (CON+alb; n=10 in 2015 only; 15mg/kg BW; Valbazen®; Zoetis Animal Health), or COWP+alb (n=7 and 11; in 2014, lambs were administered alb on day 3). Lambs grazed grass pastures as a group and were supplemented with 227g/lamb daily of a commercial grain mix (15% crude protein) and the same amount of alfalfa pellets. Feces were collected on days 0 (day of COWP treatment), 7, and 14 for determination of fecal egg counts (FEC). Pooled (2014) or pooled treatment group feces were cultured on days 0, 7, and 14 (2015 only) to determine GIN genera. Data were analyzed using repeated measures in a mixed model, and FEC were log transformed. The predominant GIN on day 0 was H. contortus (87%) in 2014, and there was a mixed population in 2015. The mean FEC was reduced by day 7 in AUS and ULT lambs (treatment×day, P=0.001), and all of the COWP products were similar. By day 14, the AUS FEC were lower than the CON and COP groups. When examining the combination of COWP and synthetic anthelmintic, the FEC of COWP+alb were reduced to nearly 0eggs/g (back-transformed) and lower than the other groups (treatment×day, P=0.001). The percentage of H. contortus in cultured feces was reduced to a greater extent in the COWP than CON or CON+alb groups of lambs. In a mixed GIN population, the COWP products appeared to be similar in efficacy and using a combination of COWP+alb increased the efficacy not only against H. contortus, but all GIN genera present, offering options in the face of resistance to benzimidazoles.

Equine hyperinsulinemia: investigation of the enteroinsular axis during insulin dysregulation.

Compared with some other species, insulin dysregulation in equids is poorly understood. However, hyperinsulinemia causes laminitis, a significant and often lethal disease affecting the pedal bone/hoof wall attachment site. Until recently, hyperinsulinemia has been considered a counterregulatory response to insulin resistance (IR), but there is growing evidence to support a gastrointestinal etiology. Incretin hormones released from the proximal intestine, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, augment insulin secretion in several species but require investigation in horses. This study investigated peripheral and gut-derived factors impacting insulin secretion by comparing the response to intravenous (iv) and oral d-glucose. Oral and iv tests were performed in 22 ponies previously shown to be insulin dysregulated, of which only 15 were classified as IR (iv test). In a more detailed study, nine different ponies received four treatments: d-glucose orally, d-glucose iv, oats, and commercial grain mix. Insulin, glucose, and incretin concentrations were measured before and after each treatment. All nine ponies showed similar iv responses, but five were markedly hyperresponsive to oral d-glucose and four were not. Insulin responsiveness to oral d-glucose was strongly associated with blood glucose concentrations and oral glucose bioavailability, presumably driven by glucose absorption/distribution, as there was no difference in glucose clearance rates. Insulin was also positively associated with the active amide of GLP-1 following d-glucose and grain. This study has confirmed a functional enteroinsular axis in ponies that likely contributes to insulin dysregulation that may predispose them to laminitis. Moreover, iv tests for IR are not reliable predictors of the oral response to dietary nonstructural carbohydrate.

The Effects of Hybrid Relative Maturity on Corn Stover for Ethanol Production and Biomass Composition

Full‐season corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids take advantage of more of the growing season than shorter‐season hybrids often leading to greater grain and biomass yield. Many agronomic experiments aimed at corn stover production have been performed at forage harvest rather than later when stover is normally harvested for biofuel measurements. The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of hybrid relative maturity (days RM) on stover ethanol production, ruminant digestibility, and biomass composition. Hybrids selected were high‐yielding commercial grain hybrids grown throughout Wisconsin and ranged from 85 to 115 d RM in 10 d RM increments during 2009, and in 5 d RM increments during 2010. Hybrids were harvested at physiological maturity or after a killing frost. Overall, stover and theoretical ethanol yields increased as RM increased at a linear rate of 0.211 Mg ha−1 RM−1 and 67.1 L ha−1 RM−1. Stover nutritional and biomass composition improved as RM increased, but yield variability was greater than nutritional and biomass compositional variability. Increasing ethanol yields will likely occur by increasing stover yields rather than by altering stover composition. Therefore, until price premiums for stover composition are made available to farmers for ethanol production, the adoption of full‐season or longer maturing hybrids should be implemented for increased stover and ethanol yields.

A mathematical model of commodity wet-bulb temperature (CWBT) for grain storage applications

Commodity wet-bulb temperature (CWBT), which is the value of wet-bulb temperature of the interstitial air within a grain bulk, is an important insect control term in grain storage applications. However, due to difficulties in its measurement and also the need for iterative calculations, its application for aeration control has been limited in commercial grain industries throughout the world. In the present study, a remedy to these difficulties is introduced. A straightforward model was developed by applying dimensional analysis methods to the CWBT data obtained from iterative solutions of the original wet-bulb temperature equation. This model is capable of determining non-iteratively CWBT as a function of dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity inside the grain bulk. The values of coefficient of determination (R2), mean bias error (MBE), standard error (SE) and root mean square error (RMSE) for obtained CWBT model were 0.999, 4.71%, 0.015 °C and 0.319 °C, respectively, when compared with original data, which reflect accurate predictions. The model predictions were compared with available data from valid psychrometric charts. The mean relative deviation (MRD) was less than 1.85%. The model was further applied to determine the errors in calculation of CWBT as affected by uncertainties in dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity measurements. This enhanced the capability of the model to be applied in CWBT aeration controllers.