Milling Yield Research Articles

Path analysis on traits associated with oat milling yield

Path analysis on traits associated with oat milling yield

Path analysis on traits associated with oat milling yield

Path analysis on traits associated with oat milling yield

Impact of different tillage management on soil and grain quality in the Anatolian paddy rice production

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of conventional tillage (CT) and two different reduced tillage methods (RT1 and RT2) on some soil properties, grain yield and post-harvest grain quality during paddy rice production in the semi-arid Mediterranean conditions for two years. According to the results, soil bulk density was higher in CT with 1.46 and 1.47 g/cm3, respectively for both years. Ntot in RT1 was determined to be higher at a significant level with an average of 0.135%. The lowest soil organic carbon was found in the CT yearly as 2.91% and 2.50%. Penetration resistance did not exceed the limit value of 2–3 MPa in any method that may have impact on plant root growth. RT1 yielded higher results with regard to rice grain yield and provided the highest milling yield for both cultivars and years. There was no statistical difference among dry matter, thousand kernel mass and protein content values of rice grains in terms of cultivars, years and tillage factors. It can be observed in the light of short-term results that the RT1 is a good alternative for CT due to its positive impact on soil characteristics, grain yield and quality.

Relative Impact of Kernel Thickness and Moisture Content on Rice Fissuring during Drying

Abstract.Individual kernel thickness and moisture content (MC) vary within rice panicles. These variations affect the drying characteristics of rice kernels and consequently, the milling yield. This study utilized an X-ray system augmented with an in-situ rice drying apparatus that enabled fissure detection in rough rice kernels during drying and tempering. Rough rice kernels of two long-grain cultivars (Roy J and CL XL745), each at two MC levels (20% and 16%, w.b.), were fractionated into three thickness fractions (thin <1.98 mm, medium 1.98 - 2.03 mm, and thick >2.03 mm). Kernels from each of the 12 sub-lots were dried and tempered under controlled air conditions. Fissured kernel percentages (FKP) were determined from X-ray images taken before, during, and after drying and tempering. Kernel thickness and MC both affected moisture desorption fissuring. Generally, as kernel thickness increased, the FKP increased for high-MC lots. In regards to MC, high-MC lots were more prone to fissuring than the low-MC lots. Overall, these findings highlight the role of kernel properties on fissuring during drying. Keywords: Kernel fissuring, Kernel thickness, Moisture content, Rice drying, X-ray imaging.

Postharvest and postmilling changes in wheat grain and flour quality characteristics

Background and objectivesSoft red winter (SRW) wheat grain immediately after harvest and flour after milling were stored for 26 weeks and analyzed for comprehensive milling and baking quality characteristics at different time points to examine the consistency of the quality test results.FindingsIncreases in falling number (FN) of grain during postharvest storage were observed for nine of ten varieties, in which FN ranged from 62 to 264 at 2 weeks after harvest and increased by 18–109 during storage for 21 weeks at 23°C. Wheat grain exhibited evident fluctuations in refined flour characteristics during the first 4 weeks of storage and then lesser changes with further storage. The storage time of grain did not significantly influence the milling yield, FN, and water SRC of refined flour. For refined flour during postmilling storage, storage time significantly affected all the flour characteristics, which showed evident fluctuations especially in the first 4 weeks of storage. The refined flour FNs of all four tested varieties increased from 373–405 to 377–417 during the first 8 weeks and then sharply to 427–474 with further storage for 26 weeks. Flour pH decreased slightly for the first 2 weeks after milling, was stable for the next 8 weeks, and then decreased again to 5.74–5.90 at 26 weeks. Small but steady decreases in both lactic acid SRC and SDS sedimentation volume were also observed for refined flour during storage. Postmilling storage induced relatively small changes in the solvent retention capacity and cookie diameter of flour.ConclusionsPostharvest and postmilling changes must be considered to achieve a reliable determination of the FN of wheat grain and flour, and pH, SDS sedimentation volume, and lactic SRC of flour. A storage time of 4 weeks would reduce the variation in wheat grain and flour quality test results, allowing reliable and reproducible evaluation.Significance and noveltyThe FN of both wheat grain and flour significantly increases during postharvest and postmilling storages. The pH and protein strength of flour show small decreases during postmilling storage with even smaller changes in water retaining capacity and cookie‐baking quality.

Physicochemical and rheological properties of Indian wheat varieties of Triticum aestivum

Physical quality parameters of grains and functional and rheological properties of flours and dough prepared from eight newly released Indian wheat varieties of Triticum aestivum were analysed. Grain samples were evaluated for 1000 kernel weight, test weight, bulk density, equivalent diameter and hardness. Wheat flour samples were tested for protein content, ash content, sedimentation value, falling number value, solvent retention capacities and rheological properties including mixing and pasting characteristics. Significant differences were observed among the studied wheat varieties regarding the 1000 kernel weight (34.81-47.47 g) and test weight (79.25-83.99 kg/hl) indicating their high milling yield potential. The dry gluten content ranged from 7.0 to 9.3% suggesting the suitability of the selected varieties for biscuit making. All the flour samples exhibited high falling number values (365 to 485 s). The dough mixing properties derived from micro dough LAB differed significantly as a function of varie...

EFFECT OF HARVESTING TIME ON MILLING YIELD AND GRAIN BREAKAGE FOR EGYPTIAN PADDY RICE

The effect of harvesting time on rice sensory and physio-chemical properties not well understood. Timing of harvesting rice with meteorological conditions can allow growers to gain more for high head rice yield. Three of Egyptian varieties Sakha 106, Giza 179 and Hybrid1 were grown during 2015 to estimate the total milling yield and grain breakage at five different harvest times {22, 25, 28, 31 and 34 days after 50% of flowering (DAF)}.It was concluded that the highest total milling yield and lowest grain breakage was obtained at the 28, 25 and 31 day after 50% of the flowering for Sakha 106, Giza 179 and Hybrid1 respectively. So harvest management preserves rice quality that contribute directly to profit, and then rice growers must harvest rice as carefully as they grow it. Although this study showed that harvesting time is very important, there are many factors have effect on milling quality. Among of these that were investigated is the harvesting time.

Milling, functional and thermo-mechanical properties of wheat, rye, triticale, barley and oat

The milling potential of hulled barley, hulled oat, triticale, rye and wheat was studied using a long tempering process and a laboratory four-roller mill. Regardless of the investigated cereal, the results indicated a significant influence (p < 0.05) of volume per surface area ratio on the milling yield and ash contents of the flour. The lowest milling yield was obtained in case of hulled oat. Solvent retention capacity profiles were determined for all investigated whole cereals and flours for predicting the contribution of different polymers to the functionality of samples. For all solvents higher values were obtained for the whole cereals compared to the corresponding flour. Thermo-mechanical properties of the whole cereals and refined flours were also investigated. If in case of wheat the gluten proteins play an essential role on dough behaviour during kneading at 30 °C, in case of triticale, rye, hulled barley and hulled oat, the fibers play a major role as well. Thermo-mechanical properties of starch registered a large variation between cereals and/or flours. The lowest torque value corresponding to starch gelatinization (C3) was registered in case of the hulled oat flour, 1.92 Nm, while the highest value in case of rye flour, 2.65 Nm.

Development and Registration of ‘Frontière’, a High‐Protein Rice Cultivar

An inbred, high‐protein, rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar development project was initiated at the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station in 2005 to develop high‐protein, commercial cultivars that were highly adaptable to the growing conditions and common cultural practices in the southern US rice growing regions. ‘Frontière’ (Reg. No. CV‐150, PI 674794) is the first cultivar produced by this project and was released in 2015. It was developed from the cultivar Cypress through induced mutation by means of cellular selection. Frontière has an average protein content of 11%, about a 53% improvement from the protein content of typical US cultivars, such as ‘Cocodrie’, ‘Cheniere’, ‘Catahoula’, ‘Francis’, and Cypress. Frontière is adapted to the rice growing areas in Louisiana and has a stable grain protein content in multiyear tests. Its protein content also remained consistent when grown in the Puerto Rico winter nursery. It is a very early, semidwarf, long‐grain rice with 91.5 cm average height and 85 d from emergence to 50% heading. Similar to Cypress, Frontière is moderately susceptible to rice blast fungus [Pyricularia grisea (Cooke) Sacc.] races IB‐1, IB‐49, and IC‐17 and highly resistant to races IG‐1, IH‐1, IB‐33, IB‐54, and ID‐13. It is susceptible to sheath blight. Frontière's average yield was 7560 kg ha−1 (10% less yield over Cypress or 13% less yield over Cocodrie). It has an excellent milling quality (60.5% whole grain and 68.9% total milling yield), an average amylose content of 21.8%, and an intermediate gelatinization temperature. Despite its close similarity to the cultivar Cypress in amylose content, its grain has distinctive cooking characteristics due to its increased protein content.

A critical optimization study on hydrothermal treatment for decortication of pearl millet to improve its consumption efficiency

Decortication of pearl millet is difficult due to rigidly attached tough seed coats which can be combated by endosperm hardening through hydrothermal treatments before decortication. Steaming time and pressure in turn affecting temperature during hydrothermal treatment affects net moisture thus effecting milling yield. Hydrothermally treated millet containing 15.5% moisture, tempered with 5% additional water at first stage and 4% at second resulted in 65.4% yield. Optimization of steaming conditions at 12.33 min steaming time and 393.23 kPa of pressure by response surface methodology to achieve highest milling yield proved 42.70% porosity, 72.78% milling yield, and 209.24 N hardness had quadratic relationship where as 86.69% water uptake had linear relationship. Scanning electron microscopy analysis on native, hydrothermally treated decorticated millet, and seed coat exposed transformation of starch from ordered pattern in native to clear mass after the hydrothermal treatment. X-ray diffraction shows change from crystalline state to amorphous solid form of starch granules due to gelatinization which hardens the endosperm hence enhancing decortication. Differential scanning calorimetry thermal analysis was done to study starch gelatinization. Enthalpy of hydrothermally treated was negative and the decorticated grains was positive.

Predicting Milling Yields of Long-Grain Rice Using Select Physical Parameters

Abstract. Milling yields of long-grain rice were successfully predicted using multi-parameter linear modeling, although the data was limited to lots of only two cultivars (Grigg and Siebenmorgen, 2015). Thus, modeling was expanded to include six currently-produced long-grain cultivars. For unfractioned rice, milling yields [milled rice yield (MRY) and head rice yield (HRY, adjusted to account for degree of milling variations)] were regressed to combinations of physical parameters comprising bulk density (Ib) of rough rice, and fissured-kernel percentage (FKP), chalkiness, and average kernel thickness of brown rice. The resulting models for prediction of milling yields were cross-validated with equivalent data of thickness-fractioned rough rice of the same cultivar lots. Thickness fractions comprised ( 2.05 mm). Milling yields were first predicted using Ib, FKP, and chalkiness parameters (Model I). The adjusted coefficient of determination (R 2 ) value indicates that Model I effectively predicted HRY (R 2 = 0.90); however prediction of MRY was poor (R 2 = 0.22), and related model cross-validations (Valid. R 2 = 0.67 and 0.59, MRY and HRY, respectively) were marginal. Adding the kernel thickness parameter in Model II improved milling yield predictions and cross-validations (R 2 = 0.72 and 0.94, and Valid. R 2 = 0.82 and 0.74, for MRY and HRY, respectively). As the chalkiness parameter estimates in Models I and II were statistically insignificant, Model III considered only the Ib, FKP, and thickness parameters. Model III maintained effectiveness in predictions and cross-validations of milling yields (R 2 = 0.71 and 0.95, and Valid. R 2 = 0.83 and 0.72, for MRY and HRY respectively). The Ib, FKP, and thickness parameters of Model III effectively predicted MRYs and HRYs of both unfractioned and thickness-fractioned long-grain rice of this set of cultivar lots.

Milling Yields and Physicochemical Properties of Long-Grain Rice Thickness Fractions

Thickness grading of rice ( L.) can divert thin, chalky kernels to a secondary processing stream, thus improving milling yields of the primary stream. However, the quantity and functionality of the secondary stream may impact processing operations. Rough rice of multiple long-grain cultivar lots was either left unfractioned (Unf) or thickness graded into fractions comprising A ( 2.05 mm). Mass distribution of rough rice; milled rice yield (MRY), and head rice yield (HRY); kernel dimensions of brown rice; crude protein content (CP) and chalkiness of brown and head rice; and paste viscosities of head rice flour were determined for each cultivar lot/fraction. For all cultivar lots, MRY, HRY, and kernel dimensions increased with increasing thickness fraction, while chalkiness and CP decreased. Milling yields were the greatest for the C/D/E fractions. Including the C fraction (C/D/E) with the primary stream resulted in an average 17.4 percentage point mass increase compared to D/E alone; this with minimal impacts to milling yields of the primary stream. Weighted-average MRYs and HRYs of the combined C/D/E fractions increased by up to 6.9 and 12.8 percentage points, respectively, compared to Unf rice. The A/B fractions were generally of greater chalkiness and CP; however, paste viscosities remained relatively consistent with those of the C/D/E fractions. Thickness grading could be justified on the merits of improved milling yields, kernel uniformity, and reduced chalkiness of the primary processing stream. A small change in the thickness grading procedure decreased the quantity of the secondary stream; moreover when milled, the secondary stream retained functionality similar to the primary stream.

Registration of 42 Blast Resistant Medium Grain Rice Genetic Stocks with Suitable Agronomic, Yield, Milling Yield, and Seed Characteristics

Rice blast disease caused by the filamentous ascomycete fungus Magnaporthe oryzae Cav. [Magnaporthe grisea (Herbert) Barr.] is one of the most threatening rice (Oryza sativa L.) diseases in the southern United States. Forty‐two rice blast resistant genetic stocks (Reg. No. GS‐34 to Reg. No. GS‐75, GSOR 102501 to GSOR 102542) were developed and released by the USDA‐ARS Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, Stuttgart, AR. The genetic stocks were developed from a cross of ‘M‐202’ (PI 494105), a medium grain cultivar of premium quality, with the blast resistant long grain rice cultivar Katy (PI 527707), followed by five generations of backcrossing to the medium grain parent M‐202. Two progenies of each of the 22 BC5F1 were genotyped with simple sequence repeat markers and evaluated with blast pathogen to verify the existence of the large blast resistance gene cluster on chromosome 12 being inherited from Katy. A total of 42 BC5F2 progenies resistant to blast were grown under field conditions during 2013 to 2014 at Stuttgart for agronomic and grain quality characterization. Agronomic traits, yield components, seed characteristics, yield, and milling quality of these lines were very similar to M‐202. The genetic stocks will be useful for rice breeders to develop new medium grain cultivars with broad spectrum blast resistance.

Crop Management Options for Maximizing Maize Kernel Hardness

Special hard endosperm maize (Zea mays L.) adapted for optimum dry milling yields is produced worldwide. Argentine flint maize is internationally known, and specific values for grain vitreousness, floaters, and test weight are demanded by the industry. Agricultural practices aimed to reach these standards, however, are not clear for farmers. Our general objective was to identify possible management options for maximizing the grain quality attributes described by these standards. We tested two flint and two dent kernel type genotypes under contrasting management options and environmental conditions (stand density, N fertilizer, defoliations, years), and studied their yield and grain quality response. Flint genotypes yielded less than dents across all tested field treatments (flint vs. dent, P ≤ 0.001), with larger differences at the lowest yielding conditions. Large differences between kernel types, and for genotypes within each kernel type, were evident for all grain quality traits (test weight, floaters, vitreousness, 8 mm screen retention) and composition (protein, oil, starch). Low N fertilization levels and stressful situations during grain filling where the treatments reducing grain hardness and screen retention the most, especially for some genotypes. Other than genotype selection, adequate N availability and low stand density helped improve test weight, vitreousness, floaters, and screen retention, all traits relevant for maize dry milling industry.Core Ideas Crop management options for maximizing maize kernel hardness are mostly unknown. Flint genotypes always yielded less than dented ones across a wide range of field treatment combinations. Stand density, N fertilization, and genotype selection are key management options for optimum grain quality.

Rough Rice and Milling Yields as Affected by Nitrogen, Harvest Moisture, and Cultivar

Improvements in rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in the mid‐south United States have been made through advances in N management, harvest strategies, and cultivar selection. Efficient fertilizer‐N management is important for producing large yields. Harvest moisture content (HMC) affects grain quality [i.e., milled rice yield (MRY) and head rice yield (HRY)], as harvesting above or below optimum HMC results in decreased milling yields. Research was conducted from 2011 to 2013 investigating rough rice and milling yields as affected by fertilizer‐N application (0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg N ha−1), HMC (high, medium, and low), and cultivar (‘Cheniere’, ‘CLXL745’, and ‘Wells’). Maximum rough rice yields of 8916, 10,263, and 9353 kg ha−1 were calculated at N rates of 135, 149, and 146 kg N ha−1 for Cheniere, CLXL745, and Wells, respectively. At N rates to achieve maximum rough rice yield, MRY and HRY were 98 to 99.9% of the maximum milling yield within a cultivar‐HMC combination, excluding Wells harvested at low HMC. Within a cultivar–HMC combination, HRYs were &lt;1 to 25% points greater at the maximum HRY–producing N rate than the minimum. Nitrogen rates needed to maximize rough rice yield and harvesting at high and medium HMC lead to near‐maximum HRYs; however, harvest at low N rates and HMC reduced HRY, particularly for CLXL745 and Wells. Further research focused on other hybrid and pure‐line rice cultivars will ensure that the current data are consistent for a wide range of cultivars.

Optimal Harvest Moisture Content for Maximizing Mid‐South Rice Milling Yields and Returns

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is unique from other major row crops in the United States in that it requires postharvest milling before pricing. As a result, profitability is based on mass yield (paddy yield) and kernel integrity, or head rice yield (HRY). A common dilemma rice producers confront is the selection of a harvest moisture content (HMC) to begin harvesting. Although harvesting with a high HMC can improve HRY, it also increases drying costs at the mill. Conversely, harvesting with a low HMC can save in drying costs but decreases HRY due to fissuring. This study determines the optimal harvest HMC that maximizes net value, accounting for both HRY and drying costs per megagram of rice, considering genetic differences across cultivars and the effects of exposure to nighttime heat stress during the growing season, which is known to reduce overall yield and quality of milling. The effects of imbedded genetic technology and high nighttime temperatures on HRY were estimated via multiple regression analysis using 522 paddy/milling yield observations across the Mississippi and Arkansas Deltas as well as corresponding location‐specific weather data from 2003–2013. For the nine most commonly produced cultivars in Arkansas and Mississippi in 2013, the optimal HMC for maximizing HRY ranged from 17 to 22%, and the optimal HMC for maximizing net value ranged from 16 to 20%. The results show that, on average, conventional cultivars experienced larger decreases than their hybrid counterparts in net value per hectare when producers deviated from the optimal HMC for maximizing net value.

The effect of trinexapac-ethyl and seeding rate on rice milling yields

The effects of the plant growth regulator trinexapac-ethyl (TE), conjoined with different seeding rates of rice (Oryza sativa L.) milling yields, were evaluated in Turkey between 2009 and 2010. Two rice cultivars (Osmancik-97 and Karadeniz), three seeding rates (400, 500, and 600 seeds m-2), and four doses of TE (0, 100, 200, and 300 g ai ha-1) were compared. The experiments were designed in a randomized block in factorial ordering with 3 replicates. Quality factors including head, cargo, and total rice milling yields, 1000 grain weight, and lodging score were evaluated. Head rice milling yield was affected significantly; however, no statistically significant difference was seen with respect to cargo rice and total milled rice by TE dose. The effect was predicted to depend on grain weight and lodging, which decreased rice milling yield. Seeding rate did not have a significant impact on milling yields. There was a significant correlation between milling yields (head rice and total milled rice but not cargo rice) and both 1000-grain weight and lodging. A seeding rate of 500 seeds m-2 was the optimum value among all seeding rates, and the highest milling yields were obtained from Osmancik-97. Irrespective of genotype and seeding rate, treatments with 100, 200, and 300 g TE ai ha-1 increased head rice milling yield. All doses of TE reduced 1000 grain weight and lodging. Regression analysis revealed that increasing TE doses raised head rice milling yield.

Efficacy of Insecticide Incorporated Bags against Major Insect Pests of Stored Paddy in Sri Lanka

A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of an insecticide (deltamethrin) incorporated bags (Zerofly®) against the insect attacks during paddy storage under Sri Lankan conditions. The study was conducted at Institute of Post Harvest Technology (IPHT), Anuradhapura andat the warehouse of Paddy Marketing Board (PMB), Anuradhapura. Paddy sample in Zerofly® sacks were stacked at both locations and for controls, untreated polysack bags were used. Paddy samples that were collected before storage and at monthly intervals during the storage period were analysed for moisture content, weight loss due to insect damages, Thousand Grain Mass (TGM), germination percentage, Total Milling Yield (TMY) and Head Rice Yield (HRY). Data was analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) by Statistical Analysis System (SAS). The moisture content of paddy grains fluctuated between 13.3 – 14.3% during storage period but any significant difference was not observed among bag types. The level of insect damages in control was increased with storage time while the initial level of insect damage of treated bags remained unchanged. The mass loss due to insect damagesof grains was significantly higher (p=0.05) in untreated bags than treated bags. The insect damage was reduced by 3.5-4.a% using Zerofly® bags during paddy storage. In addition, dead insect bodies were found onouter surface of the insecticide incorporated bags but no live or dead insects were found on untreated bag surface during storage. Mainly rice weevil (Sitophils oryza) and lesser grain borer (Rhysoperthadominica) were found in paddy samples of untreated bags and number of insects increased with time. The germination percentage of grains in untreated bags was significantly higher than to thecontrol. It was reduced from 93% to 60-64% and 93% to 82-83% in control and treated bags respectively. During the six months of storage, TGM did not show any significant difference (p=0.05) among different treatments. TMY and HRY resulted significantly (p=0.05) lower values of paddy stored in untreated bags than Zerofly® bags. Use of insecticide incorporated bags can reduce the loss of TMY and HRY of paddy during storage. The study revealed that insecticide treated bags are an appropriate packaging material to protect stored paddy from insect infestations under Sri Lankan conditions.

Effect of Parboiling on Milling, Physicochemical, and Textural Properties of Medium‐ and Long‐Grain Germinated Brown Rice

Germinated brown rice is considered a more nutritious and palatable cooked product than conventional brown rice. However, germination usually decreases rice milling yield and alters some physicochemical properties. Parboiling is commonly used to increase milling yield and retain nutrients, but it also changes rice color and texture. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of parboiling on milling, physicochemical, and textural properties of a medium‐grain and a long‐grain rice after germination at varying durations. Germinated rice samples of three germination durations were prepared with one germination time before the optimum time at which 70% of rice revealed hull protrusion, the optimum time, and one time after. Germinated rice was then immediately parboiled at 120°C for 20 min and was then immediately dried. The milling, physicochemical, and textural properties of parboiled germinated rice from both cultivars were determined. Parboiling significantly decreased the percentage of brokens, whiteness, and the apparent amylose content and increased γ‐aminobutyric acid content (GABA) in the nongerminated rice and rice at the first germination duration for both cultivars. Parboiling reduced pasting viscosities for both cultivars, but Jupiter still exhibited higher pasting viscosities than Wells. Cooked parboiled germinated rice was overall softer than nonparboiled rice because of kernel splitting, but Wells remained harder and less sticky than Jupiter. In conclusion, it is beneficial to combine parboiling with germination to enhance nutritional values and improve milling properties without affecting textural properties for both rice cultivars.

Investigation of Wheat Milling Yield Based on Grain Hardness Parameters

The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between milling yield and grain hardness. A preliminary study was carried out with 20 samples (both hard and soft wheats) using the Brabender hardness tester (BHT) with two grind settings: one‐step grind (0‐10) and two‐step grind (2‐12: coarse; 0‐8: fine). The two‐step grind was correlated with particle size index, single‐kernel characterization system (SKCS) hardness, break yield, and reduction yield (P &lt; 0.05), whereas there was no correlation with the one‐step grind method. An additional 64 samples were ground with the two‐step grind setting to further validate this method. In terms of the BHT crush profile, no discernible differences were observed between varieties for the coarse grind, whereas for the fine grind, hard wheat gave a higher BHT maximum peak height and shorter grinding time compared with soft wheat. The break and reduction yields were significantly correlated with both BHT and SKCS hardness (P &lt; 0.05). The findings indicated that the BHT method could be used to differentiate for milling yield among the different varieties. Based on the results, two milling yield models were developed, and both gave highly significant correlations between the predicted and Buhler mill break (R2 = 0.791, P &lt; 0.05) and reduction yield (R2 = 0.896, P &lt; 0.05).