Effect Of Grain Type Research Articles

Influence of grain type and fat source on performance, nutrient utilization, and gut properties in broilers fed pelleted diets

The influence of grain type and fat source on the performance, coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID), and intestinal characteristics in broiler starters fed pelleted diets were studied. The experiment included 8 treatments arranged as a 2 × 4 factorial with 2 grains (wheat and corn) and 4 fat sources (soybean oil, fish oil, tallow, and palm oil). In all fat sources, corn-fed birds had a higher weight gain than those fed wheat-based diets. However, improvement in the weight gain of birds fed wheat-based diets supplemented with tallow resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) interaction between grain type and fat source. Inclusion of wheat and tallow increased feed intake compared to corn and other fat sources, respectively. Pellets made from wheat were harder (P < 0.01) than those based on corn. Broilers fed corn-based diets, had higher CAID of fat, Ca, and phosphorus (P < 0.01) than those fed wheat-based diets. Soybean oil inclusion, also increased (P < 0.01) fat digestibility compared to other fat sources. An interaction occurred between grain type and fat source where pellets made from corn and soybean oil had higher protein digestibility compared to the other treatments (P < 0.01). Feeding wheat-based diets increased pH of gizzard and proventriculus compared to corn-based diets (P < 0.01). Highest viscosity value was observed in wheat-diets supplemented with fish oil, and palm oil (P < 0.01). The pancrease, gizzard and cecum were heavier in corn-based fed birds compared to those fed wheat-based diets (P < 0.01). A significant interaction between grain type and fat source was noted for Lactobacillus spp. and the total anaerobic bacteria population in the cecum. Overall, the effect of grain type on weight gain, CIAD of protein and cecal microbiota differed depending on the fat sources. Feeding corn and soybean oil resulted in better gut development and growth performance in broilers fed pelleted diets.

Effect of Grain Type and Phytase Enzyme on Growth Performance, Cecum Microbial Population, Carcass and Bone Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

Effect of Grain Type and Phytase Enzyme on Growth Performance, Cecum Microbial Population, Carcass and Bone Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

PSIII-A-10 Effect of Grain Type and wet-Aging Time on Lamb Meat

Abstract Visual appearance is critical for the consumer perception of meat quality. Color, as well as juiciness are key factors in determining consumer choice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of grain type and different wet-aging periods on lamb meat. Eighteen castrated Merino x Corriedale lambs (± 40 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: 60% corn grain (CG), 60% oats grain (OG) or all fescue hay (Control); diets were isonitrogenous (13% CP). After slaughter, pieces of Longissimus thoracis muscle from each animal were aged during 1, 4, 8 and 16 d. Treatments were arranged as a 3x4 factorial experiment, and color and water-holding variables were measured. No interactions were found (p &amp;gt; 0.05) between type of grain and aging time. Meat from CG showed the highest values for lightness, redness and yellowness (p= 0.0240, 0.0119, 0.0077, respectively), while meat from OG had the lowest values for redness and yellowness. Expressible juice was lowest (p= 0.0307) for Control, intermediate for CG and higher for OG. Meat cooking loss (p= 0.0157) resulted highest for Control, intermediate for OG and lowest for CG. Cooking loss, drip loss (48h) and expressible juice showed differences among aging periods (p= 0.002, 0.0001, 0.0015, respectively); the highest loss was found for 1d-aging, but no differences were detected for the other aging periods. The effect of aging period was greater than type of grain for cooking loss (F: 7.82, 4.48) and expressible juice (F: 5.88, 3.71) respectively. Purge-thaw loss showed no differences for diet type (p &amp;gt; 0.16) or aging period (p &amp;gt; 0.11). A more intense color developed by CG than OG might favor consumer perception of meat quality. Additionally, water-loss seems to be independent of these diets, showing that a longer aging period would be more relevant to get juicier lamb meat.

Effect of amylases and storage length on losses, nutritional value, fermentation, and microbiology of silages of corn and sorghum kernels

This study evaluated the effect of two commercial amylases with known activity at low pH and storage length on fermentation profile, microbial diversity, and effective rumen degradation (ERD) of silages of rehydrated kernels of sorghum (RES) or flint corn (REC). Mature kernels were ground through a 1 mm diameter mesh screen with a stationary hammer mill and manually rehydrated to achieve a similar dry matter (DM) concentration (650 g/kg of fresh) for ensiling (4.74 ± 0.30 kg/silo). Treatments were formed using a 2 × 3 × 2 factorial combination of grain type (RES and REC), enzyme [control and amylases AMG (300 AGU/mL) and GAM (138 AGU/mL), both at 0.35 mL/kg of fresh kernels], and storage length (30 and 180 d), with six replicates. The ERD of DM was evaluated in situ with a 2-pool model (A and B fractions) and incubations for 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 48 h. The proportional change in ERD mass during silage storage (% of ensiled) was calculated. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and spore-forming aerobic bacteria (SAB) were quantified and identified. The loss of DM (6.8 vs. 5.3% of ensiled) and starch (23.9 vs. 13.6% of ensiled) were higher (P < 0.01) for REC than RES. The RES had higher (P < 0.01) DM fraction A (398 vs. 325 g/kg of DM) and ERD (593 vs. 554 g/kg of DM) and lower (P < 0.01) kd of DM fraction B (3.14 vs. 3.33%/h) than REC. Ensiling increased ERD mass of both kernels (+6.8% of ensiled). The RES showed a faster increase (P = 0.04) in ERD mass in response to ensiling than REC. Both amylases and a longer duration of storage reduced (P < 0.01) the starch content and increased (P < 0.01) DM loss. Enzymes induced a faster increase (P < 0.01) in ERD mass relative to control but reduced the gain in ERD mass in extended storage. Longer storage increased (P < 0.01) the ERD content and the pool size of fraction A of both RES and REC. Lactic acid was the primary organic acid in silage, followed by propionic acid. Long storage of sorghum increased (P < 0.01) butyrate and there was no effect of grain type and enzyme on butyrate at 30 days of storage. The RES ensiled for 180 days without enzyme had the highest (P < 0.01) butyrate. The species Levilactobacillus brevis, Lentilactobacillus buchneri, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and Pediococcus acidilactici were the most frequent, but in general, amylases reduced numerically their population. The SAB had a greater diversity and lower population than LAB. We concluded that RES was more degradable in the rumen and had a lower loss during storage than REC. The highest ERD mass recovery was observed for long storage without amylase. The amylases seem to be an option only when storage length is short. The LAB population dominated sorghum and corn kernels silage fermentation. Most microorganisms identified were involved in organic acids and alcohol metabolism.

134 Meta-analysis to Determine the Effects of Particle Size on Nursery and Finishing Pig’s Growth Performance and Stomach Morphology

Abstract A meta-analysis was conducted to determine grain particle size (PS) effects on pig growth performance and stomach morphology. Data from 29 trials (11 in the nursery and 18 in the finisher) published from 1986 to 2016 for a total of 140 observations were recorded in a database. The response variables were average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), gain-to-feed ratio (G:F), ulceration and keratinization scores. Tested predictors included the interactions between PS linear and quadratic effects, production phase, diet form, and main effects of grain type, ingredient inclusion, and mill type. Trial was included as a random effect. Data were analyzed with the lmer function from the lme4 package in R. Significant predictors (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and with improved model fit remained in the final model. Results indicated a significant interaction (P &amp;lt; 0.05) between diet form and quadratic PS for ADFI and G:F. Nursery and finishing pigs fed meal diets linearly reduced ADFI and improved G:F as PS reduced. Nursery pigs fed pelleted diets had reduced ADFI and improved G:F with PS reduced to 500–600µ, with increased ADFI and poorer G:F at lower PS. Finishing pigs fed pelleted diets had reduced ADFI and improved G:F with PS reduced to 500–600µ, with no further changes at lower PS. Regardless of diet form and production phase, ADG increased (quadratic, P &amp;lt; 0.05) as PS reduced until approximately 600µ and decreased at lower PS. There was no evidence of PS effect on ulceration score (P = 0.12). Keratinization score increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) as PS decreased. Reducing PS in meal diets linearly increased keratinization scores, reduced ADFI, and improved G:F. However, no further benefits in performance were observed at grain PS below 500–600µ in pelleted diets.

Effects of grain type and conditioning temperature during pelleting on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, meat quality and blood metabolites of fattening lambs

Ruminants can tolerate moderate concentrations of dietary tannin, making it feasible to replace corn with sorghum in ruminant diets; however, conditioning temperature of pelleted total mixed ration (PTMR) greatly affects nutrient digestibility. The objective was to determine effects of grain type and conditioning temperature during pelleting on growth performance, ruminal fermentation, meat quality and blood metabolites of fattening lambs. This was a 2 × 3 factorial study, with corn and sorghum and three conditioning temperatures (65, 75 and 85 °C) in a randomized complete design, with 36 lambs (120 ± 10.2 d and 24.9 ± 3.3 kg) grouped by weight and randomly allocated. The resulting six PTMRs were referred to as 65-S, 75-S and 85-S for sorghum-based diets, and 65-C, 75-C and 85-C for corn-based diets, for low, medium and high pelleting temperatures, respectively. There was no grain type × conditioning temperature (Grain × Temp) interaction on growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility. Furthermore, grain type did not affect DM intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG) or feed conversion ratio (FCR) of fattening lambs. Pelleting at 75 °C improved ADG (P < 0.03) and FCR (P < 0.02) of fattening lambs compared to other temperatures. There was a Grain × Temp interaction (P < 0.01) on ruminal pH (lowest in lambs fed 75-S). There tended (P = 0.07) to be a Grain × Temp interaction for total volatile fatty acid (VFA), and there were Grain × Temp interactions for molar proportions of acetate (P < 0.04), butyrate (P < 0.03) and branch-chained VFA (P < 0.01). Lambs fed sorghum-based PTMR had greater molar proportion of propionate (P < 0.03) and lower acetate to propionate ratio (A:P, P < 0.04). Lambs fed sorghum-based PTMR had higher plasma concentrations of urea nitrogen (N) (P < 0.03), glucose (P < 0.01) and alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05), whereas other blood metabolites were not affected by treatments. There were Grain × Temp (P < 0.03) interactions for color coordinates of longissimus and mid-gluteal muscle. Lambs fed sorghum-based PTMR had lower (P < 0.01) dressing percentage and meat quality than those fed corn-based PTMR. We concluded that sorghum can replace corn in lamb diets without compromising growth performance and feed efficiency; furthermore, feeding sorghum vs corn improved rumen fermentation, with reduced A:P ratio and enhanced N and glucose utilization. Finally, pelleting at 75 °C increased feeding value of either sorghum- or corn-based PTMR for fattening lambs.

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.

The Effect of Grain Type on Virulence of Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Stored Product Pests

Fungal virulence is multifaceted and dependent on multiple abiotic factors. The present study represents an investigation of the effect of one such abiotic factor, that of the grain type, on the insecticidal action of three entomopathogenic fungal species, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschinkoff) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) and Isaria fumosorosea Wize (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) on larvae of the three very common and destructive stored product pests: the khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium Everts) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), the confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and the Mediterranean flour moth (Ephestia kuehniella Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). To this end, we selected four different grains, i.e., Triticum aestivum L. (Poales: Poaceae), Oryza sativa L. (Poales: Poaceae), Arachis hypogaea L. (Fabales: Fabaceae) and Vicia faba L. (Fabales: Fabaceae). Bioassays were carried out in the lab, where experimental grains were sprayed with 1 mL of conidial suspension (108 conidia/mL) from each isolate. Mean mortality, median survival time and weight loss of seeds were estimated for each species. Our results suggest that the differences in the efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi were dependent both on the isolates and the grain. The grain type as a factor is equally important to other abiotic factors.

Influence of grain type and oil concentration of dried corn distillers’ grain with solubles on ruminal fermentation and in vitro gas production in cattle fed high-concentrate diets

To determine the effects of grain type (rolled-corn vs. rolled-barley) and dried corn distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) oil concentration (low = 4.5% vs. moderate = 7.9%) on ruminal pH, ammonia (NH3) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations, in vitro enteric methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) production, and digestive enzyme activity, eight ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (715 ± 61.4 kg) were used in a 4 × 8 Latin rectangle with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Diets were offered for ad libitum intake. Experimental periods were 24 d with 7 d of diet adaptation, 7 d of sample collection, and a 10 d transition between periods. No differences were observed for ruminal NH3, total VFA concentration, pH, or in vitro concentration of CH4 or CO2 after 24 h of incubation among treatments. The lag time for in vitro gas production and degradation was greater (P = 0.03) from steers fed diets containing rolled-corn than rolled-barley. There were grain type × DDGS interactions (P ≤ 0.02) observed for α-amylase and trypsin activity (U L−1 ruminal fluid). Maltase activity (U L−1 ruminal fluid) was greater (P ≤ 0.01) in steers fed diets containing rolled-corn than rolled-barley and in steers fed diets containing low- compared with moderate-oil DDGS. These results indicate that, although ruminal enzyme activity was influenced, feeding different grain types (rolled-corn vs. rolled-barley) or DDGS with differing oil concentration (moderate vs. low) did not negatively influence ruminal fermentation or in vitro CH4 production.

Forces on Monitoring Cables during Grain Bin Filling and Emptying

Abstract. Monitoring the temperature of stored grain with permanent cables suspended from the bin roof is common practice in commercial grain storage and is sometimes used in on-farm grain storage bins. Knowledge of the forces imparted on the cables by flowing grain is required for proper design of cables, connection hardware, and bin roofs, but there is little data in the literature for full size bins. To determine forces on different cable sizes and configurations, five different cable designs were tested during filling and emptying of wheat and corn. Two concrete storage bins, 4.6-m diameter and 25-m maximum depth, were used with cables suspended from the center of the bin or suspended 0.6 m from the sidewall. The bottom ends of the cables were weighted, but were not fully restrained. Forces on the cables were monitored during filling and emptying of the bins. Forces during emptying usually exhibited slip-stick behavior. The greatest forces were during emptying, where forces were often double those during filling, with vertical forces up to 4.7 kN for the largest cable. Both peak and average forces for bin emptying were significantly larger than corresponding forces for bin filling. Results showed no effect of grain type (corn or wheat) while cable size had significant effects on peak and average force in most cases. Keywords: Corn, Design load, Force, Grain bin, Temperature monitoring cable, Wheat.

Grain source and chromium supplementation: effects on feed intake, meal and rumination patterns, and growth performance in Holstein dairy calves

Carbohydrate-rich diets may increase urinary excretion of chromium (Cr) and increase its requirements. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of grain type (barley v. corn) and Cr supplementation on feed intake, feeding behavior and weight gain in dairy calves. Forty-eight neonatal Holstein female calves were assigned randomly to four experimental diets in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. Experimental diets were either barley-based diet (BBD) or corn-based diet (CBD) supplemented with (+Cr) or without (−Cr) Cr as Cr-methionine (0.05 mg/kg of BW0.75). Chromium was provided in milk (from days 3 to 73 of life) during the pre-weaning period and then in pre-warmed water (from day 74 until day 94 of life) after weaning. Meal length tended to increase in calves fed the BBD v. CBD during the pre-weaning period. During the post-weaning period, meal size, inter-meal interval, and eating rate increased concurrently but meal frequency and eating time decreased in the BBD v. CBD. During the pre-weaning period, feed efficiency, BW at weaning, and heart girth increased and non-nutritive oral behaviors tended to decrease with Cr supplementation. Due to increased meal frequency, the starter feed intake but not eating time increased by Cr supplementation during the post-weaning period. Supplementing Cr increased starter feed intake, final BW, average daily gain and heart girth during the overall period. Rumination time increased in BBD+Cr calves due to increases in the frequency and duration of rumination, or decreased rumination bout interval. Overall, the type of grain had no effect on feed intake and growth performance; however, Cr supplementation decreased non-nutritive oral behaviors and increased starter feed intake via increasing the meal frequency and thereby improved growth performance.

Effect of grain type and dried distillers grains plus solubles oil concentration on site of digestion in cattle fed finishing diets

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of grain type (rolled corn vs. rolled barley) and oil concentration of dried corn distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS; moderate = 7.9% vs. low = 4.5% ether extract) on site of digestion. Seven ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein steers (716 ± 8.9 kg) were used in a 4 × 7 Youden square with experimental periods of 24 d. True ruminal organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility (% of intake) as well as intestinal (% of entering duodenum) and total tract starch digestibility was greater (P ≤ 0.03) in steers fed diets containing barley than in steers fed diets containing corn. Ruminal disappearance and ruminal, intestinal, and total tract OM, CP, and starch digestibility were not influenced (P ≥ 0.11) by feeding diets containing DDGS with differing oil concentration. Total tract lipid digestibility (%) was greater (P &lt; 0.001) in steers fed diets containing moderate-oil DDGS than low-oil DDGS. These data indicate that including a low-oil DDGS, as compared with a moderate-oil DDGS, in finishing diets containing rolled corn or rolled barley does not influence intake or site of digestion of nonlipid components.

Effect of grain type on the insecticidal efficacy of Paya® against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The objective of the current study was to determine the insecticidal effectiveness of diatomaceous earth formulation (DE) Paya®. The effects of grain commodity (wheat, barley, maize and rice), exposure times and dose rates were evaluated. The efficacy of diatomaceous earth (DE) against 1–7 days old adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) was evaluated on wheat, rice, maize and barley at 26±1 °C and 60±5% RH in darkness. The mortality of adults was tested at five concentrations: 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg of grain and different exposure times (24, 48 h, 7 and 14 d). To evaluate the progeny production, dead and alive adults were removed from containers after 14 days and these containers were kept at above-mentioned conditions for 45 days. The results obtained indicated that the highest adult mortality was observed after the longest exposure period on barley and wheat so that the two highest DE dosages caused 100% mortality of T. castaneum. The efficacy of Paya® on maize and rice was not satisfactory, given that after a 14 days exposure at the highest dose rate the mortality did not exceed 37% and 66% in the case of maize and rice, respectively. The results demonstrated that the mortality increased with rises in concentration and exposure time and also highly affected by grain type.

INFLUENCE OF GRAIN SOURCE AND DRIED CORN DISTILLERS GRAINS PLUS SOLUBLES OIL CONCENTRATION ON FINISHING CATTLE PERFORMANCE AND FEEDING BEHAVIOR

Eighty-one steers [428 ± 3.5 kg of body weight (BW)] were used to determine the effect of grain type (corn vs. barley) and oil concentration of dried corn distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS; moderate = 7.9% vs. low = 4.5% ether extract) on growth performance, feeding behavior, and carcass characteristics. Intake and feeding behavior traits were calculated from data generated via the Insentec feeding system. Steers were slaughtered with an average BW of 668 ± 4.4 kg. Final BW and average daily gain (ADG) were not affected by grain type or DDGS oil concentration. Dry matter intake (DMI) decreased (P = 0.002) and gain:feed ratio (G:F) increased (P = 0.01) in steers fed diets containing barley. Daily visits to the feeder decreased (P = 0.05), but time eating per visit increased (P = 0.03) in steers fed diets containing barley than corn. Plasma urea–N concentration was greater (P ≤ 0.05) in steers fed diets containing barley than corn and in steers fed diets containing low-oil DDGS than moderate-oil DDGS di...

Milk fat secretion in Holstein dairy cows: Insights from grain type and oil supplement

Effects of grain type and dietary oil supplement on milk fat depression and milk fatty acid (FA) composition of dairy cows were evaluated using eight multiparous Holstein cows (77±22.1 days in milk; mean±SD) in a replicated 4×4 Latin square design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of diets. Experimental diets contained either ground barley or ground corn supplemented with either fish oil or soybean oil at 2% of dietary dry matter (DM). Experimental periods were 25 d, with the final 7 d used for sample and data collection. Dry matter intake tended (P=0.09) to be greater for barley- vs. corn-based diets (23.2 vs. 22.3kg/d), but was reduced for the fish oil compared to soybean oil supplemented diets (21.1 vs. 24.3kg/d; P<0.001). Total FA intake was greater in corn-based diets and also in soybean oil supplemented diets. Regardless of type of the diet fed, MFD occurred. Although milk fat yield was not affected, the barley-based diets increased (P<0.001) the concentration of mixed-origin FA (C16:0 plus cis-9 C16:1) but decreased the concentration of preformed FA (P<0.001) as compared with corn-based diets. Corn-based diets increased concentration of both trans-11 C18:1 (P=0.03) and cis-9, trans-11 C18:2 (P=0.01) which was a reflection of greater intake of cis-9, cis-12 C18:2 as substrate for rumen biohydrogenation. Severity of MFD was greater for fish oil than for soybean oil which was evidenced by the increased concentration and yield of biohydrogenation intermediates (especially trans-10 C18:1) associated with MFD (r =–0.61; n =32) in milk fat. However, fish oil increased concentration of both trans-11 C18:1 (P=0.001) and cis-9, trans-11 C18:2 (P<0.001) as compared with soybean oil. Grain type and oil supplement did not interact to affect milk odd- and branched-chain FA (OBCFA) concentration. Cows fed barley-based diets (P<0.001) and soybean oil supplemented diets (P<0.001) produced greater OBCFA in milk fat. Overall, there was no interaction between the type of grain and oil supplement on induction of MFD and milk fat yield. However, milk fatty acid composition was differently modified by the grain type and an increase in the concentration of mixed-origin FA of fish oil supplemented diets was unable to attenuate the severity of MFD because of the concomitant decrease in concentrations of de novo synthesized- and preformed-FA as compared with soybean oil supplemented diets.

Regrinding large particles from milled grains improves growth performance of pigs

The effects of grain type (barley [B] or sorghum [S]); particle size (ground grain [G] or ground grain from which the coarse fraction had been separated and re-ground, then added back to the fine fraction [R]), and diet form (mash [M], or pellet [P]), on average daily intake (ADI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR, feed:gain as fed) in grower pigs were measured over a period of four weeks. Ninety-six pure-bred Large White pigs of average weight 20.2±1.07kg were assigned to 8 treatments, with12 pigs per treatment. FCR was significantly affected (P<0.05) by grain type, particle size and feed form. Barley-based diets were more efficiently utilised than sorghum-based diets (FCR difference 4.14%). Regrinding the coarse fraction for both barley and sorghum diets significantly (P<0.001) reduced (improved) FCR (6.57%). Pelleting diets significantly (P<0.05) reduced (improved) FCR (3.56%) compared with the mash diets. The lowest efficiency of feed use for barley-based diets was for the ground, mash diet (FCR 2.038) and highest was for the reground, mash diet (FCR 1.88). The lowest efficiency of feed use for sorghum-based diets was for the ground, mash diet (FCR 2.195) and the highest for the reground, pelleted diet (FCR 1.919). There was no effect of treatment on ADI or BWG (P>0.05) for barley-based diets, but these measures were significantly higher (P<0.05) for mash than pelleted sorghum-based diets. This study showed that regrinding the coarse fraction of cereal grains and feeding as a mash diet gave similar efficiency of feed use by pigs as pelleting the non-reground grain. Thus, regrinding the coarse fraction of grains could be an alternative method to pellet processing for maintaining energy delivery to growing pigs. The optimal processing choice may differ according to the grain type, with regrinding and pelleting resulting in the highest efficiency of feed use for sorghum-based, but not barley-based diets.

Pack Factor Measurements for Corn in Grain Storage Bins

Shelled yellow corn is commonly stored in concrete or corrugated steel bins. Granular materials compact under their own weight, primarily due to particle rearrangement, leading to an increase in bulk density and a change in volume when stored. Reliable grain pack factors are needed to estimate storage capacities and to accurately monitor grain inventories. A science-based model (WPACKING) of pack factors is available that uses the differential form of Janssen’s equation and takes into account the variation in density caused by pressure variation with height and moisture content of the grain and accounts for the effects of grain type, test weight, bin geometry, and bin material. However, this model needs to be compared to field data over a wide range of conditions to ensure robust prediction accuracy. The objective of this research was to determine the field pack factors and bin capacities for on-farm and commercial bins used to store corn in the U.S. and compare them to predictions of the WPACKING program. Bin inventory measurements were conducted in concrete bins with depths up to 31.4 m (114.8 ft) and corrugated steel bins with diameters up to 32.8 m (156 ft). These values were also compared to the techniques used by the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) and the USDA Farm Service Agency, Warehouse Branch (FSA-W). The differences between predicted and reported mass were -4.54% (maximum underprediction) to +4.53% (maximum overprediction) for WPACKING, -2.69% to 4.97% for the RMA method, and -3.33% to + 5.67% for the FSA-W method. The absolute average difference was lowest for the WPACKING model (0.90%) compared to the RMA and FSA-W methods (1.61% and 1.86%, respectively). WPACKING had less than half as many prediction differences above 1% (13 out of 51 bins) as did the RMA and FSA-W methods, which had 29 out of 51 and 33 out of 51, respectively. The RMA and FSA-W methods do not take into account the variations in pack factor due to bin type and moisture content of the stored grain.

Performance, bioenergetic status, and indicators of oxidative stress of environmentally heat-loaded Holstein cows in response to diets inducing milk fat depression

Effects of grain type and dietary oil supplement on production performance, energy balance, metabolic heat production, and markers of liver function of heat-loaded lactating dairy cows were evaluated using 8 multiparous Holstein cows (77.0d in milk) in a duplicated 4×4 Latin square design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Experimental diets contained either ground barley or ground corn supplemented with either fish oil or soybean oil at 2% of dietary dry matter. Mean daily maximum temperature, minimum relative humidity, and maximum temperature–humidity index were 35.3°C, 11.3%, and 77.0, respectively. Dietary treatment did not affect rectal temperature (38.9°C), but respiration rate tended to decrease in cows fed fish oil versus soybean oil. Dry matter intake decreased for the fish oil–supplemented diets (21.1 vs. 24.3kg/d), which was negatively correlated with plasma concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (r=–0.45; n=32) and malondialdehyde (r=–0.26; n=32). Actual milk yield (41.9kg/d) and energy-corrected milk yield (36.6kg/d) were not affected by grain type, whereas feeding fish oil decreased milk yield as compared with soybean oil (40.4 vs. 43.4kg/d). Milk fat depression occurred in all dietary treatments, especially when cows were fed fish oil because of the presence of polyunsaturated FA in the diets. trans-10 C18:1 was negatively correlated with milk fat yield (r=–0.38; n=32). Daily milk cis-9,trans-11 C18:2 secretion was 29.6% less in cows fed barley- versus corn-based diets but 31.8% greater in cows fed fish oil as compared with cows fed soybean oil. Because of a lower dry matter intake, metabolic heat production was decreased in cows fed fish oil relative to cows fed soybean oil. Although feeding fish oil versus soybean oil decreased net energy for both maintenance and lactation, net energy balance remained unchanged across treatments. In vivo plasma lipoperoxidation was greater in cows fed fish oil versus soybean oil, which substantiated increased susceptibility of plasma lipoperoxidation when cows were fed fish oil. Plasma concentration of malondialdehyde was positively correlated with plasma aspartate aminotransferase (r=0.38; n=32), which is an indicator of liver function in heat-loaded cows. Results suggest that in heat-loaded cows fed diets supplemented with soybean oil versus fish oil, biosynthesis in the mammary gland was prioritized over anabolism and oxidation in peripheral adipose and muscle tissues regardless of type of grain used.

Influence of sorghum grain type on wort physico-chemical and sensory quality in a whole-grain and commercial enzyme mashing process

To determine the most suitable types of sorghum for whole-grain adjunct in lager beer brewing, 14 cultivars of five different types: white tan-plant, white non-tan-plant, red non-tannin, white tannin (type II) and red tannin (type III) were evaluated. The effects of grain type on wort physico-chemical and sensory quality with raw grain and malt plus commercial enzyme mashing were assessed. Tannin content correlated significantly and negatively with wort extract and fermentable sugars (p < 0.001) and free amino nitrogen (FAN; p < 0.1). This is attributable to inactivation of the exogenous enzymes by the tannins during the mashing process. However, the type II tannin sorghums had wort quality attributes closer to the non-tannin sorghum types, probably owing to their relatively low tannin content (≤1%). Malting gave a great improvement in wort extract, fermentable sugars and FAN, but substantially influenced wort sensory properties in terms of higher sourness, bitterness and astringency, as well as the expected more malty flavour. Worts from raw red non-tannin sorghums were similar to those of white tan-plant sorghums in both physico-chemical and sensory quality. Thus, red non-tannin sorghums, in view of their better agronomic quality, have considerable potential as a whole-grain adjunct in lager beer brewing. Copyright © 2013 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling

Bioactivity of raw diatomaceous earth against Rhyzopertha dominica Fab. (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae): Effects of grain type, dose rate and exposure period

Laboratory experiments were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of raw diatomaceous earth (DE) against R. dominica on Maize: Zea mays (L.), sorghum: Sorghum bicolor (L.) (Moench) and wheat: Triticum aestivum (L). The tests were conducted under ambient laboratory conditions (26-34°C and 27-51% r. h.). Thirty adult insects were bioassayed on 50 g grain sample treated with the DE at five dose rates: 125, 250, 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm. Adult mortality, progeny production and percentage of insect-damaged kernels (IDK) were assessed. On all grain tested mortality increased with higher dose rate and longer exposure period. After 14 days exposure to the highest dose rate, adult mortality was 98.0±0.8, 93.2±1.8 and 99.3±0.75% on maize, sorghum and wheat, respectively. Progeny production was considerably suppressed on treated grains in comparison with the untreated respective controls but significantly influenced by grain type. Similarly, the percentage of IDK decreased with increase in dose rate. At 1500 ppm IDK in maize, sorghum and wheat were 1.2±0.5, 2.8±0.5 and 2.2±0.8 % as compared to 54.1±8.6, 45.1±1.8 and 84.1±1.75% in the untreated control, respectively. To provide effective control of R. dominica using the raw DE, dose rates higher than 1500 ppm are required.