Dry-rolled Wheat Research Articles

229 Evaluation of Wheat Blended with Corn in Finishing Diets Containing Wet Distillers Grains

Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of grain type and wet distillers grains inclusion on finishing cattle performance and carcass characteristics. Yearling steers (n = 320; initial BW = 325 ± 23 kg) were utilized in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, with the first factor as grain type at either 100% dry-rolled corn or a 50:50 blend of dry-rolled wheat and dry-rolled corn, and the second factor as wet distillers grains plus solubles (WDGS) inclusion at 12 or 30% of diet DM. There were no interactions between grain type and WDGS inclusion levels (P ≥ 0.21), contrary to our hypothesis that 50:50 wheat blend would improve performance with increased WDGS. There were no differences in DMI, ADG, or G:F (P ≥ 0.29) between 100% DRC or 50:50 blend of DRC and wheat. There was no difference in HCW between grain types (P = 0.84), but LM area was greater (P = 0.02) for steers fed a 50:50 blend of DRC and wheat. There were no differences in 12th rib fat or USDA marbling score between grain types (P ≥ 0.15), but increased LM area in steers fed the blended diet led to improved calculated yield grade (P = 0.04). Increasing WDGS in the diet increased carcass-adjusted final BW (P = 0.03) and improved carcass-adjusted ADG and G:F by 3.8% (P ≤ 0.05). Feeding 30% WDGS increased HCW by 10.9 kg (P = 0.03) and increased 12th rib fat (P = 0.02) compared to feeding 12% WDGS. There were no differences in LM area, USDA marbling score, or calculated YG between WDGS inclusions. These data suggest that increasing WDGS in the diet improves performance regardless of grain type and depending on price, wheat can replace up to 50% of the grain portion of the diet without affecting performance.

Effect of wheat processing on rumen characteristics and rumen parameters in Holstein‐Friesian calves

In this experiment, effect of wheat processing on rumen conditions and development were investigated. Fifty-six neonatal Holstein-Friesian calves (22 male and 34 female) were fed calf starters and post-weaning diets containing 35 (pre-weaning) and 21.90% (post-weaning) popped wheat (PW), steam-flaked wheat (SFW), dry-rolled wheat (DRW) or ground wheat (GW) till 12 weeks of age. Calves were weaned at the end of 9th week, and a post-weaning-specific starter diets were fed for 1 month. Rumen liquor was analysed in days 30, 60 and 90 of the experiment to determine volatile fatty acids (VFA), pH and ammonia nitrogen concentrations. Twelve male calves (three calves/treatment) were slaughtered, and digestive tract was emptied. Forestomach empty weight and rumen parameters were assessed. Results indicated that calves received PW had the highest total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, ammonia nitrogen, rumen wall thickness, papilla width and density. Calves fed DRW experienced the lowest rumen pH throughout the experiment probably because high proportion of fine particles in GW. Calves consuming PW apparently had more functional rumen in comparison with other groups.

Dry-rolled or steam-flaked grain-based diets and fecal shedding of Escherichia coli O157 in feedlot cattle1

Hindgut is a major colonization site for Escherichia coli O157 in cattle. In this study, diets were formulated to effect changes in hindgut fermentation to test our hypothesis that changes in the hindgut ecosystem could have an impact on fecal shedding of E. coli O157. Feedlot heifers (n = 347) were prescreened for the prevalence of E. coli O157 by fecal and rectoanal mucosal swab cultures. A subset of 40 heifers identified as being positive for fecal shedding of E. coli O157 was selected, housed in individual pens, and randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments. Treatments were arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial, with factor 1 consisting of grain type (sorghum or wheat) and factor 2 being method of grain processing (steam-flaking or dry-rolling). Four transition diets, each fed for 4 d, were used to adapt the animals to final diets that contained 93% concentrate and 7% roughage. The grain fraction consisted of dry-rolled sorghum, steam-flaked sorghum, a mixture of dry-rolled wheat and steam-flaked corn, or a mixture of steam-flaked wheat and steam-flaked corn. Wheat diets contained 52% wheat and 31% steam-flaked corn (DM basis). Fecal and rectoanal mucosal swab samples were obtained 3 times a week to isolate (enrichment, immunomagenetic separation, and plating on selective medium) and identify (sorbitol negative, indole production, and agglutination test) E. coli O157. The data were analyzed as repeated measures of binomial response (positive or negative) on each sampling day. Method of processing (dry-rolled vs. steam-flaked), sampling day, and the grain type x day interaction were significant (P < 0.05), but not the method of processing x grain type interaction. The average prevalence of E. coli O157 from d 9 was greater (P < 0.001) in cattle fed steam-flaked grains (65%) compared with those fed dry-rolled grains (30%). Average prevalence in cattle fed sorghum (51%) or wheat (43%) were similar (P > 0.10) on most sampling days. Results from this study indicate that feeding dry-rolled grains compared with steam-flaked grains reduced fecal shedding of E. coli O157. Possibly, dry-rolling allowed more substrate to reach the hindgut where it was fermented, thus making the hindgut inhospitable to the survival of E. coli O157. Dietary intervention to influence hindgut fermentation offers a simple and practical mitigation strategy to reduce the prevalence of E. coli O157 in feedlot cattle.

Evaluation of models of acute and subacute acidosis on dry matter intake, ruminal fermentation, blood chemistry, and endocrine profiles of beef steers.

Crossbred steers (n = 20; 316 +/- 4 kg BW), each fitted with a ruminal cannula, were used to evaluate the effects of acute acidosis (AA) and subacute acidosis (SA) on DMI, ruminal fermentation, blood chemistry, and endocrine profiles. Animals were blocked by BW and assigned to treatments including 1) intraruminal (via cannula) steam-flaked corn (3% of BW; AA); 2) intraruminal dry-rolled wheat:dry-rolled corn (50:50; 1.5% of BW; SA); 3) offering forage-adapted steers ad libitum access to a 50% concentrate diet (AA control; AC); and 4) offering 50% concentrate diet-adapted steers ad libitum access to a 50% concentrate diet (SA control; SC). Samples of ruminal fluid and whole blood were collected on the day of the challenge (d 0) and 3, 7, 10, and 14 d after the challenge. Daily DMI responded quadratically (P < 0.01) through d 7 for AA and SA steers and increased linearly (P < 0.01) for AC steers. Dry matter intake by AA steers reached a nadir (< 3 kg/d) on d 3 and gradually increased to a level similar to other treatments (7 kg/d) by d 10, whereas DMI by SA steers increased through d 3. Blood pH, bicarbonate, base excess, and total CO2 were decreased (P < 0.03) for AA steers and increased (P < 0.03) for SC steers through d 7. Ruminal pH decreased quadratically (P < 0.01) in AA and AC steers and increased (P = 0.01) in SA steers through d 7. Ruminal total lactate concentration and osmolality responded quadratically (P < 0.01) for AA and AC steers. Ruminal total lactate peaked on d 3 for AA steers and on d 0 for AC and decreased to basal concentrations by d 7. Plasma NEFA concentration increased (P < 0.04) on d 3 and 7 for AA steers. Serum Na decreased (P < 0.05) on d 0 for AA and SA steers and on d 7 and 14 for AA steers. Serum P decreased (P = 0.01) for AA steers through d 7 and decreased quadratically (P = 0.01) for AC steers through d 7. Serum albumin and cholesterol decreased (P < 0.02) for AA and AC steers through d 7. Area under the GH curve decreased (P = 0.02) for AA and AC steers through d 7. Considerable variation was evident in the ability of an animal to cope with a carbohydrate challenge. Results of data modeling generally suggest that serum amylase activity, cholesterol and potassium concentrations, and plasma NEFA concentrations were useful in distinguishing between steers classified as experiencing subacute acidosis or not affected by a carbohydrate challenge.

Effects on Nutrient Digestion of Wheat Processing and Method of Tallow Addition to the Diets of Lactating Dairy Cows

Five multiparous Holstein cows in midlactation that were fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a 3 × 5 incomplete Latin square. The objective of this study was to examine the effects on nutrient digestion of wheat processing and method of tallow addition to the diets of lactating dairy cows. Diets consisted of 45% forage and 55% concentrate, and each diet contained 20% wheat and 2% tallow (as-fed basis). Treatments were dry-rolled wheat with tallow added to the concentrate, steam-rolled wheat with tallow added to the concentrate, and steam-rolled wheat with tallow added first to the wheat. The dry matter intake; digestion of starch, fiber, and fatty acids; ammonia N concentration; and molar proportions of volatile fatty acids in ruminal fluid were not affected by treatments. The apparent digestibility in the total tract of organic matter and nitrogenous compounds was significantly higher for the steam-rolled treatment with tallow added first to the wheat. Mean ruminal fluid pH was similar across treatments; however, cows fed the diet containing steam-rolled wheat with tallow added first to the wheat had the smallest pH change from 0 to 2h postfeeding. Milk yield did not differ, regardless of cow diet. Method of tallow addition had marked effects on the apparent digestibility of organic matter and N in the total tract of lactating dairy cows.

Influence of flake thickness on the feeding value of steam-rolled wheat for feedlot cattle

Seventy-two medium-framed, crossbred steers (348 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design performance trial. Experimental diets contained (DM basis) 6% alfalfa hay, 6% sudangrass hay, 79% wheat, 2% yellow grease, 4% cane molasses, and 3% supplement. Treatments were 1) dry-rolled wheat (DRW, density = .52 kg/L); 2) steam-rolled wheat, coarse flake (SRW-C, density = .39 kg/L); and 3) steam-rolled wheat, thin flake (SRW-T density = .30 kg/L). Steam processing increased amyloglucosidase reactivity of wheat starch by 238 and 287% for SRW-C and SRW-T, respectively. Cattle performance was similar (P > .10) for SRW-C and SRW-T. Steam processing wheat increased ADG (13.5%, P < .10) and decreased DM intake/gain (8.8%, P < .05). Diet NE was precisely as expected for DRW, confirming the applicability of tabular NE values. Diet NEm was 3.7% lower (P < .05) for DRW than for SRW. The NEm and NEg of SRW were 2.28 and 1.59 Mcal/kg, respectively. Twelve Holstein steers (266 kg) were "T" cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a completely random design experiment to evaluate treatment effects on characteristics of ruminal and total tract digestion. Ruminal digestibilities of OM and starch were similar (P > .10) for DRW and SRW. Postruminal and total tract digestibility of OM (P < .10) and starch (P < .01) were increased with SRW. Dietary DE and ME values were greater (6.1 and 6.6%, respectively; P < .10) for SRW than for DRW.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mixtures of wheat and high-moisture corn in finishing diets: feedlot performance and in situ rate of starch digestion in steers

Wheat and high-moisture corn (HMC) were fed singly and in three combinations using dry-rolled wheat (DRW) (ratios of 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75, respectively, Trial 1), or singly and in two combinations using steam-rolled wheat (SRW) (ratios of 67:33 and 33:67, respectively, Trial 2) to finishing beef cattle fed a high-concentrate diet. In situ rate of starch digestion (Trial 3) was measured on grains used in Trial 1 (excluding the 25 HMC: 75 DRW mixture) and ground dry corn. In Trial 1 (132 d), gain/feed did not differ (P greater than .10); however, final weight, hot carcass weight, and ADG decreased linearly (P less than .05) and DMI exhibited a cubic response (P less than .05) as the percentage of wheat in the diet increased. Carcass characteristics were not different. In Trial 2 (113 d), there were no differences attributable to treatment for ADG, DMI, gain/feed, or carcass characteristics. Positive associative responses for gain efficiency (gain/feed) were greatest for the first increment of wheat addition (25% DRW and 33% SRW in Trials 1 and 2, respectively) and for the early portion of the feeding period (57 and 28 d for Trials 1 and 2, respectively), indicating a more rapid diet adaptation and(or) less propensity for subacute acidosis. In Trial 3, the treatment grains or mixtures did not differ in rate of starch digestion. Although the differences were not statistically significant, starch in the 100% wheat diet was digested twice as fast as the 100 or 75% HMC mixtures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of steam flaking wheat on rumen fermentations and duodenal nitrogen and amino acid flows in heifers

Six Friesian heifers of 491 kg body weight and fitted with permanent ruminal and duodenal cannulae were used in a cross-over design to study the effect of steam flaking of wheat on ruminal fermentations and amino acid flow at the duodenum. Dry-rolled wheat (DRW) and steam-flaked wheat (SFW) were fed in diets composed of 74% wheat and 20% wheat straw supplemented with urea, vitamins and minerals. Chromium oxide, polyethylene glycol and diaminopimelic acid were used as particulate, liquid and bacterial markers, respectively. Non-ammonia nitrogen flow to the duodenum (110.3 and 98.4 g day −1) was higher ( P < 0.05) for SFW compared with DRW. Duodenal flow of essential, non-essential and total amino acids was 249 and 220, 345 and 293, and 594 and 513 g day −1 for SFW and DRW, respectively, with SFW higher ( P < 0.05) than DRW.

Effects of grain type, roughage level and monensin level on finishing cattle performance.

Interactions among grain type (grain sorghum, corn or wheat), roughage level and monensin level were studied in four feedlot trials using pen-fed crossbred yearling cattle. In Trial 1, cattle fed high-moisture corn (HMC) were more efficient (.1537 vs .1406 for gain/feed; P less than .01) than cattle fed dry-rolled grain sorghum (DRGS). As level (0, 3, 6, 9%) of dietary roughage was increased, feed efficiency (gain/feed) decreased (.1566, .1461, .1479, .1382; linear, P less than .01). In Trial 2, a grain type (DRGS; dry-rolled corn, DRC; dry-rolled wheat, DRW) x roughage level interaction was observed for daily gain and feed efficiency. Feed efficiency (gain/feed) was decreased when roughage was added to diets containing DRC (.1608 vs .1750) or DRGS (.1674 vs .1465), but not to the diet containing DRW (.1664 vs .1607). In trial 3, a grain type x roughage level x monensin level interaction (P less than .08) was observed for feed efficiency. The addition of 27.5 mg of monensin per kilogram of the 0% roughage-DRC diet tended to improve feed efficiency (.1633 vs .1531), but the addition of monensin to the 7.5% roughage-DRC diet tended to depress feed efficiency (.1476 vs .1575). The addition of either roughage (.1493 vs .1420) or monensin (.1500 vs .1413) to the DRW diet improved feed efficiency. In Trial 4, cattle fed a combination of 75% DRW and 25% DRC were more efficient (.1618 vs .1591; P less than .06) than cattle fed DRC. As level of roughage (0, 3.75, 7.5%) increased, feed efficiency decreased linearly (.1645, .1599, .1569; P less than .0001). Monensin had no effect on feed efficiency. The value of feeding roughage and monensin was variable both across grain types and within similar grain types.

Influence of mixtures of high moisture corn and dry rolled wheat on finishing performance and carcass characteristics (1987)

Dry rolled wheat and high moisture corn were fed singly and in three combinations in a 132-day finishing trial. Daily gain, feed intake, and final live weight were greatest on the 75% corn:25% wheat diet. Feed efficiencies and carcass characteristics were not affected by grain combination. Daily gain and feed intake tended to decrease as percentage of wheat in the diet increased above 25%.