Moisture Grain Research Articles

Qualidade da silagem de grãos de milho com adição de soja crua e parâmetros de digestibilidade parcial e total em bovinos

Avaliou-se a qualidade da silagem de grãos úmidos de milho com adição de soja crua, por meio de medidas de digestibilidade parcial e total em bovinos. Foram utilizados três animais mestiços Nelore x Red Angus, implantados com cânulas ruminal e duodenal. O delineamento experimental foi o quadrado latino 3x3, com os seguintes tratamentos: SGM66= 60% de volumoso, 26,6% de silagem de grãos de milho e 13,4% de farelo de soja e milho moído; SGM33= 60% de volumoso, 13,4% de silagem de grãos de milho e 26,6% de farelo de soja e milho moído, e GMS= 60% de volumoso e 40% de farelo de soja e milho moído. A digestão e a digestibilidade da matéria seca não foram influenciadas pela inclusão de SGM na dieta. A dieta SGM66 aumentou a digestibilidade de matéria seca no intestino em relação à dieta GMS. Não houve efeito da inclusão da silagem de grãos na digestão e na digestibilidade das frações fibra em detergente ácido e fibra em detergente neutro da ração, bem como no fluxo ruminal e intestinal do amido. A SGM66 melhorou a digestibilidade total da proteína bruta, mas não mostrou efeito sobre a digestibilidade total da matéria seca, da fibra e do amido e sobre o ambiente ruminal no que se refere à acidez e à concentração de amônia.

SILAGEM DE GRÃO ÚMIDO OU GRÃO SECO DE SORGO COMO FONTE ENERGÉTICA PARA BEZERRAS DE DOIS GRUPOS GENÉTICOS

The performance and development of Charolais (CH) and 5/8Nellore 3/8Charolais (5/8NC) female calves, feedlot fed with silage of high moisture grain or dry grain of sorghum, were evaluated. The roughage (corn silage):concentrate ratio was 60:40, dry matter (DM) basis. Calves average initial weight and age was 96.9±8.5kg and five months. The experimental design was complete randomized, with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (types of sorghum grains conservation x genetic groups). No significant interaction was observed between type of sorghum grain conservation and genetic group, for the variables studied. No difference (P>.05) was observed between high moisture and dry grain for daily intake of DM (DMI) 3.83 and 3.84 kg DM/day, and digestible energy (DEI) 14.59 and 14.92 Mcal/day, respectively. Average daily weight gain (ADW) .80 and .83 kg, final weight (FW) 165.0 and 166.5 kg, and feed conversion (FC) 4.78 and 4.63, were similar for high moisture and dry grain sorghum, respectively. Calves growth parameters according to sorghum grains conservation did not differ (P>.05). The gain of body condition (GBC) was higher (P .05) was observed between genetic groups for DMI, DEI, ADW, FC and FW. The 5/8NC compared to the CH calves showed higher (P KEY WORDS: Average daily weight gain, crossbreeding, rump height, withers height, thoracic perimeter.

Predicting the nutritive value of high moisture grain corn by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy to predict the nutritive value of high moisture grain corn (HMC). Additionally the use of the jack-knifing as a method to reduce redundant wavelengths was explored when the calibration models were developed. The coefficient of determination in calibration ( R CAL 2 ) and the standard error in cross validation (SECV) were ( R CAL 2 = 0.90 , SECV: 2.6%) for dry matter, ( R CAL 2 = 0.85 , SECV: 0.52%) for crude protein, ( R CAL 2 = 0.90 , SECV: 1.8%) for acid detergent fibre, (ADF), ( R CAL 2 = 0.91 , SECV: 2.0%) for in vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD), ( R CAL 2 = 0.84 , SECV: 0.33%) for ash, ( R CAL 2 = 0.91 , SECV: 0.3%) for pH and ( R CAL 2 = 0.90 , SECV: 1.07%) for ammonia nitrogen (N), respectively. The results from this study suggested that dry matter, acid detergent fibre and in vitro organic matter digestibility were accurately predicted using NIR spectroscopy in HMC samples. The use of the jack-knifing method improved the calibration models obtained.

Consumo e digestibilidade de nutrientes de dietas com silagens de grãos úmidos de milho ou sorgo, em ovinos

Avaliaram-se o consumo, a digestibilidade e o teor de nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) de dietas contendo silagens de grãos úmidos de milho e de sorgo, com ou sem inoculante microbiano, em ovinos. O volumoso utilizado foi feno de capim-braquiária (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu). Doze animais foram distribuídos em quatro tratamentos: (1) feno+silagem de grão úmido de milho, (2) feno+silagem de grão úmido de sorgo; (3) feno+silagem de grão úmido de milho com inoculante microbiano e (4) feno+silagem de grão úmido de sorgo com inoculante microbiano. Não houve diferença entre tratamentos quanto aos consumos de matéria seca, de matéria orgânica, de proteína bruta, de fibra em detergente neutro, de carboidratos totais e de carboidratos não estruturais. O consumo de extrato etéreo diferiu em função do tipo de grão. Não houve diferença entre tratamentos quanto à digestibilidade dos nutrientes. Não houve efeito do grão e da inoculação para o NDT estimado das silagens de grãos úmidos de milho e de sorgo, com médias de 77,6% e 79,5%, respectivamente. O uso de inoculante microbiano em silagens de grãos úmidos não se fez necessário. O grão de milho úmido pode ser substituído pelo de sorgo sem prejuízos ao aproveitamento de nutrientes em ovinos adultos.

Degradabilidade in situ da matéria seca e da proteína bruta de silagens da planta de milho, dos grãos úmidos e das espigas sem brácteas

The objectives of this experiment were to determine dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) in situ degradability and degradation rate for different parts of corn plant preserved as silage, as following: whole plant silage, high moisture grain, and ears. The analysis of the equation parameters for dry matter degradation showed that high moisture grain silage has higher soluble fraction as compared with ears silage and whole plant silage. In relation to the potentially soluble fraction there was a difference between the whole plant silage and ears silage and high moisture grain silage, with higher value for high moisture grain silage. High moisture grain silage and ears silage showed high effective DM and CP degradability maybe due to the cutting stage of the crop whose starch was stile highly susceptible to degradation and due to silage fermentation.

Composição físico-química de carcaças de bezerros holandeses alimentados após o desaleitamento com silagem de grãos úmidos ou grãos secos de milho ou sorgo

Avaliou-se a composição físico-química de carcaças de bezerros após desaleitamento até o abate com silagem de grãos úmidos ou grãos secos de milho ou sorgo para a produção de vitelos de carne rosa. Trinta bezerros holandeses foram distribuídos em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com cinco blocos e seis tratamentos, e alimentados com seis rações com teores similares de proteína (18,5% PB) e de energia (3,2 Mcal EM/kg de MS), formuladas com: milho seco moído (MM); silagem de grãos úmidos de milho (SGUM); sorgo seco com tanino moído (SCTM); silagem de grãos úmidos inteiros de sorgo com tanino (SGUISCT); sorgo seco sem tanino moído; e silagem de grãos úmidos inteiros de sorgo sem tanino (SGUISST). Após o resfriamento, foram tomados nas meias-carcaças esquerdas os cortes da seção H&H para estimativa da composição tecidual da carcaça e os cortes no Longissimus dorsi à altura da 12ª e 13ª costelas para determinação da área de olho-de-lombo (AOL), da espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGS), da força de cisalhamento (FC) e da composição química. Não houve efeito da composição das rações concentradas sobre a composição física e a relação entre tecidos na seção H&H, bem como para AOL, EGS e FC. A ração concentrada SGUM resultou em maiores teores de EE no Longissimus dorsi, mas não diferiu das rações SCTM e SSTM. A ração concentrada SGUM gerou maior deposição de gordura muscular em comparação à MM, no entanto, as rações SGUISCT e SGUISST não aumentaram essa deposição em comparação ao fornecimento dos grãos secos moídos. Todos os alimentos avaliados podem ser usados em rações concentradas para bezerros após o aleitamento, pois não comprometem a composições física e química da carcaça e conferem resultados similares.

Desempenho de bezerros holandeses alimentados até o desaleitamento com silagem de grãos úmidos ou grãos secos de milho ou sorgo

Avaliou-se o desempenho de bezerros alimentados até o desaleitamento com silagem de grãos úmidos ou grãos secos de milho ou sorgo para posterior produção de vitelos de carne rosa. Trinta bezerros holandeses foram distribuídos em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com cinco blocos e seis tratamentos, e alimentados com seis rações concentradas com teores similares de proteína (22,5% PB) e de energia (3,2 Mcal EM/kg MS), formuladas com: milho seco moído (MM); silagem de grãos úmidos de milho (SGUM); sorgo seco com tanino moído (SCTM); silagem de grãos úmidos de sorgo com tanino (SGUSCT); sorgo seco sem tanino moído (SSTM); e silagem de grãos úmidos de sorgo sem tanino (SGUSST). Os animais receberam sucedâneo de leite até atingirem o peso pré-estabelecido para desaleitamento (60 ± 5 kg). Não houve efeito das rações concentradas sobre a altura de cernelha, a idade ao desaleitamento, os consumos diários de MS diários e totais das rações concentradas, os ganhos de peso diários e totais e a conversão alimentar. Os custos por kg de ganho de peso das rações concentradas contendo sorgo foram mais baixos que o das rações concentradas formuladas com milho. Todos os alimentos avaliados podem ser usados em rações concentradas para bezerros em fase de aleitamento, pois não comprometem o desempenho e conferem resultados similares.

Desempenho de bezerros holandeses alimentados após o desaleitamento com silagem de grãos úmidos ou grãos secos de milho ou sorgo

Avaliou-se o desempenho de bezerros alimentados após desaleitamento e até o abate com silagem de grãos úmidos ou grãos secos de milho ou sorgo para a produção de vitelos de carne rosa. Trinta bezerros holandeses foram distribuídos em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com cinco blocos e seis tratamentos, e alimentados com seis rações concentradas com teores similares de proteína (18,5% PB) e energia (3,2 Mcal EM/kg de MS), formuladas com: milho seco moído (MM); silagem de grãos úmidos de milho (SGUM); sorgo seco com tanino moído, (SCTM); silagem de grãos úmidos inteiros de sorgo com tanino (SGUISCT); sorgo seco sem tanino moído (SSTM); e silagem de grãos úmidos inteiros de sorgo sem tanino (SGUISST). Os animais foram recriados em piquetes coletivos até atingirem o peso pré-estabelecido para o abate (170 ± 10 kg PC). Não houve efeito das rações concentradas sobre a altura de cernelha, a idade ao abate, os dias no experimento e os ganhos de peso diários e totais. Os custos por kg de ganho de peso das rações contendo sorgo foram mais baixos que o das rações formuladas com milho. Todos os alimentos avaliados podem ser usados em rações concentradas para bezerros após o aleitamento, pois não comprometem o desempenho e conferem resultados similares.

Maize Kernel Moisture at Physiological Maturity as Affected by the Source–Sink Relationship during Grain Filling

ABSTRACTA wide range of values reported in the literature has precluded the use of grain moisture (GM) as an estimate of physiological maturity (PM) in maize (Zea mays L.). The reason for this variability in GM values remains unclear. Previous evidence suggests that the source–sink ratio could affect the dynamics of kernel water relations during grain filling and thus, GM at PM. To test this possibility, treatments were applied to manipulate the reproductive sink capacity or the assimilate availability during grain filling. Kernel dry weight, water content, and the dry weight to water content (D–W) ratio, were monitored throughout grain filling. A bilinear model relating dry weight and GM was used to estimate GM at PM for each treatment. Severely restricting source capacity during grain filling increased GM at PM. When the source capacity per kernel during grain filling was increased, however, GM at PM was not affected. A single model (r2 = 0.99, p < 0.001) described the relationship between relative dry weight and GM for all hybrids and treatments without source reduction during grain filling. The estimated value of GM at PM for this model was 34.9%. These results suggest that calculating GM late in grain filling can provide a reliable estimate of PM when the source capacity has not been severely restricted. A value of 35% moisture would be adequate in these situations. The D–W ratio of developing kernels was similar across all source–sink treatments until PM. Premature cessation of grain filling caused by defoliation increased the D–W ratio as the kernels continued to desiccate.

Feeding value for finishing beef steers of wheat grain conserved by different techniques

Abstract The objective was to determine the feeding value of high moisture grain as an alternative to dry grain for finishing beef cattle. Winter wheat grain was harvested sequentially for rolling, acid treatment and ensilage (ER; 705 g dry matter (DM)/kg), urea whole grain treatment and anaerobic storage (UN; 746 g DM/kg) and whole grain propionic acid treatment and aerobic storage (rolled before feeding; PR; 849 g DM/kg). Friesian steers ( n = 120; mean starting live-weight 518 kg) were allocated on a live-weight basis to 12 replicate blocks and then randomly assigned from within blocks to ten treatments. Treatments were grass silage offered ad libitum together with (i) no wheat, (ii–iv) PR at 3 or 6 kg/head daily, or ad libitum , (v–vii) UN at equivalent DM allowances to (ii) and (iii) above, or ad libitum , (viii–x) ER at equivalent DM allowances to (ii) and (iii) above, or ad libitum . Mean daily live-weight gains were 852 (ER), 726 (UN) and 855 g (PR) (s.e. = 65.5; P P P ad libitum was 7.8, 8.3 and 8.2 kg (s.e. = 0.10; P P

Quantitative trait loci for grain moisture at harvest and field grain drying rate in maize (Zea mays, L.)

Hybrids with low grain moisture (GM) at harvest are specially required in mid- to short-season environments. One of the most important factors determining this trait is field grain drying rate (FDR). To produce hybrids with low GM at harvest, inbred lines can be obtained through selection for either GM or FDR. Thus, a single-cross population (181 F (2:3)-generation plants) of two divergent inbred lines was evaluated to locate QTL affecting GM at harvest and FDR as a starting point for marker assisted selection (MAS). Moisture measurements were made with a hand-held moisture meter. Detection of QTL was facilitated with interval mapping in one and two dimensions including an interaction term, and a genetic linkage map of 122 SSR loci covering 1,557.8 cM. The markers were arranged in ten linkage groups. QTL mapping was made for the mean trait performance of the F (2:3) population across years. Ten QTL and an interaction were associated with GM. These QTL accounted for 54.8 and 65.2% of the phenotypic and genotypic variation, respectively. Eight QTL and two interactions were associated with FDR accounting for 35.7 and 45.2% of the phenotypic and genotypic variation, respectively. Two regions were in common between traits. The interaction between QTL for GM at harvest had practical implications for MAS. We conclude that MAS per se will not be an efficient method for reducing GM at harvest and/or increasing FDR. A selection index including both molecular marker information and phenotypic values, each appropriately weighted, would be the best selection strategy.

Effect of different forms of bacterial inoculants on the fermentation process of ensiled crushed maize moisture grains

Crushed high-moisture maize grains were ensiled in laboratory silos with different (water-soluble and granulated) forms of biological inoculants. The characteristics of the quality of silage fermentation process were analysed. The water-soluble inoculant product (WSI) Bonsilage and a microgranulated product (MGI) were compared with untreated control (UC). The water-soluble inoculant increased (P < 0.01) acetic acid (AA) production and the ratio LA/AA, decreased pH value, and inhibited production of ammonia (P < 0.05). The best results and the highest quality of preserved silage were obtained when the WSI preparation was used. In samples of WSI silage, the values of pH, AA content, LA/AA ratio, and ammonia content were much better; these differences were statistically highly significant (P < 0.01). In WSI silage, other parameters of the fermentation process were better as well; the contents of lactic acid (LA) and of all fermentation acids were higher than in the other variants while to content of alcohol was the lowest. However, these differences were statistically insignificant.  

Movement and distribution of adult Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae) in stored wheat in response to temperature gradients, dockage, and moisture differences

The movement and distribution of adult Cryptolestes ferrugineus were determined in 100×100×1000 mm wheat columns with or without 5 °C/m temperature gradients (from 27.5±0.2 to 32.5±0.2 °C or at 27.5±0.2 °C) under: (1) 5% and 10% uniform dockage (14.5±0.2% moisture content (m.c.), wet basis); (2) half of the columns with 5% or 10% dockage and the other half without dockage; (3) 12.5%, 14.5% or 16.5% m.c. wheat without dockage; and (4) half of the columns with 12.5% or 14.5% m.c. wheat and the other half with 16.5% m.c. wheat. Adults introduced in the middle of the horizontal wheat columns with or without uniform dockage showed no bias in the direction of net displacement, with the distribution pattern gradually becoming more uniform when time increased from 1 to 144 h. In vertical columns with 0%, 5% and 10% uniform dockage, the adults preferred to move down in the first 24 h; however, they moved up after 24 h. Grain with a high percentage of dockage (10%) decreased beetle movement speed. A low percentage of dockage (5%) did not influence insect movement and distribution. Positive geotaxis was more important than the attraction of dockage. Adults responded to both temperature gradients and moisture differences in columns of wheat with temperature gradients and moisture content differences. The response was different at different moisture conditions. Adults were more sensitive to moisture differences and moved faster in 12.5% m.c. wheat than in 14.5% m.c. wheat. Adults stayed in warmer sections in both high and low moisture grain. At different moisture conditions, adults changed their preference (e.g., preferred high moisture grain in dry grain, and preferred warmer temperature in damp grain).

Molecular mapping in tropical maize (Zea mays L.) using microsatellite markers. 2. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for grain yield, plant height, ear height and grain moisture.

A previous genetic map containing 117 microsatellite loci and 400 F(2) plants was used for quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping in tropical maize. QTL were characterized in a population of 400 F(2:3) lines, derived from selfing the F(2) plants, and were evaluated with two replications in five environments. QTL determinations were made from the mean of these five environments. Grain yield (GY), plant height (PH), ear height (EH) and grain moisture (GM) were measured. Variance components for genotypes (G), environments (E) and GxE interaction were highly significant for all traits. Heritability was 0.69 for GY, 0.66 for PH, 0.67 for EH and 0.23 for GM. Using composite interval mapping (CIM), a total of 13 distinct QTLs were identified: four for GY, four for PH and five for EH. No QTL was detected for GM. The QTL explained 32.73 % of the phenotypic variance of GY, 24.76 % of PH and 20.91 % of EH. The 13 QTLs displayed mostly partial dominance or overdominance gene action and mapped to chromosomes 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9. Most QTL alleles conferring high values for the traits came from line L-14-4B. Mapping analysis identified genomic regions associated with two or more traits in a manner that was consistent with correlation among traits, supporting either pleiotropy or tight linkage among QTL. The low number of QTLs found, can be due to the great variation that exists among tropical environments.

Fracionamento do grão de Amaranthus cruentus brasileiro por moagem e suas características composicionais

O grão de amaranto é geralmente consumido na sua forma integral. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da moagem do grão de amaranto (Amaranthus cruentus) brasileiro na composição química, nutricional, a estabilidade à oxidação e cor da farinha. Os grãos foram pré-condicionados para umidades entre 9,2 e 13,7% e fracionados em moinho para cereais. O aumento da umidade de 9,2 para 13,7% resultou na diminuição progressiva do rendimento da farinha, de 39 para 14%. A farinha refinada (quebra + redução), com 9,2% de umidade, mostrou teores de proteína total de 13,9%, contra 16,2% da farinha integral. O teor de lipídeos totais no amaranto integral (9,2% de umidade) variou de 6,78, para 6,11% na farinha refinada e o teor de fibra nos farelos diminuiu de 3,6 para 3,1%, ao passo que a cor da farinha se tornou mais atraente. Conclui-se que o fracionamento da farinha do grão de amaranto, apesar de produzir uma farinha com melhor aparência e alto teor protéico, apresenta rendimento baixo e não mostra diminuição substancial no teor de óleo da farinha refinada como para garantir uma maior estabilidade à autooxidação.

A MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR CONTINUOUS DRYING OF GRAINS IN A SPOUTED BED DRYER

ABSTRACT A mathematical model for a continuous spouted bed dryer has been presented to predict moisture content, air and grain temperatures as well as energy consumption. To better understand the interactive influence of processes in each region of the spouted bed, solution schemes for the spout and downcomer were treated separately. The behavior of dryer was investigated experimentally and found that the dryer behaved differently from an ideal plug flow. The drying rate as simulated by the model is almost constant during grain movement in the dryer. Absence of airflow in the downcomer leads to a tempering process that takes place in the downcomer while intense heat and mass transfer occurs mainly in the spout due to the high airflow rate there. Furthermore, by considering the predicted grain temperature history as one of the indicators of product quality, one can, in principle, design appropriate successive processes in a continuous spouted bed dryer to minimize product damage.

Effect of Feeding a Corn Hybrid Selected for Leafiness as Silage or Grain to Lactating Dairy Cattle

A leafy corn hybrid was compared to a grain corn hybrid as silage and high moisture grain to evaluate dry matter intake, milk yield, and milk composition. Sixteen multiparous Holstein cows averaging 97 DIM were used in a feeding trial based on 4 × 4 Latin squares with 21-d periods. Each of four diets contained (dry basis) 8% chopped hay, 42% corn silage, 11% high moisture corn grain, 10% whole, fuzzy cottonseed, and 29% protein concentrate. One diet used leafy corn as both high moisture grain and silage. A second diet contained grain corn hybrid (control) as both high moisture grain and silage. A third diet contained leafy corn for high moisture grain and control corn for silage and the fourth diet used control corn for high moisture grain and leafy corn for silage. Cows fed diets containing leafy silage produced more milk and milk protein and ate more DM than cows fed control silage. The corn hybrid used for high moisture grain did not influence milk yield or composition. Dry matter intake was greater for cows fed the diet containing both leafy high moisture grain and leafy silage than for cows fed both control high moisture grain and control silage, but milk yield and composition were not different. When fed as silage, the leafy corn hybrid used in this experiment supported greater DMI as well as higher milk and protein yields when compared to the grain corn hybrid.

Drain and harvest timing affects on rice grain drying and whole-milled grain

The economic value of a rice ( Oryza sativa) crop depends mainly on percent whole-milled grain (milling quality) production. Whole-milled grain depends on preharvest drying conditions, harvest grain moisture (GM), postharvest management, and mill management. Research was conducted at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center near Beaumont, TX from 1989 to 1992 to evaluate the effect of drain and harvest timing on grain drying patterns of rice and whole-milled grain. The study was laid out in a split plot design with drain date as main plot and harvest date as subplots. ‘Lemont’ rice was drill-planted in (12–18.2) m×36.5 m plots on 0.2 m centers at 112 kg ha −1 and received uniform management from planting to 7 days after heading (DAH). Main plots were drained at 4-day intervals from 7 to 27 DAH (draining 24–27 DAH traditional). Subplots were harvested at 2-day intervals from 350 to 150 g kg −1 GM. Drain date did not significantly affect yield or whole-milled grain. Field drying patterns for rice were influenced by year and harvest sequence. There was no apparent relationship between key weather conditions and drying pattern. Drain time influenced drying patterns mainly for drains at 7 and 11 DAH. Drying patterns for drains of 15 and 19 DAH were similar to the more traditional 23 and 27 DAH (7–12 days before harvest) drains. GM converged for all drain dates at lower GM levels. GM declined about 22 g kg −1 per day above 230 g kg −1, but declined only about 0.6 g kg −1 per day from 23 to 15 g kg −1. Draining at 7 DAH reduced whole-milled grain at least 5%. Whole-milled grain fluctuated among years but the impact of key climatic conditions was complex. Late rainfall, after 123 days after planting (DAP), appeared to influence the maximum whole-milled grain. The influence of rainfall prior to 123 DAP was not apparent. Averaged over years, whole-milled grain increased until 133 DAP. Under the conditions of this study, whole-milled grain was similar between 170 and 200 g kg −1 GM. Rice should be harvested from 127 to 130 DAP (210–170 g kg −1 GM) to optimize whole-milled grain. These factors may have a more dramatic impact on small plot studies where treatments resulted in large GM differences than in field conditions.

Subsurface Sensing of Properties and Defects in Wood and Wood Products

The application of subsurface sensing to wood and wood-based materials is covered in four parts: (1) basic properties; (2) mechanical properties; (3) internal defects; and (4) adhesive bonding. The basic properties include moisture content, density, and grain orientation. Mechanical properties depend heavily on detection of basic properties, and emphasize those properties that are needed to predict strength in service. Internal defects relate to both green materials (trees and logs) and materials in service, primarily heavy dimension. Adhesive bonding includes both bond quality and bond formation. This review will address the determination of physical and mechanical properties of these materials; the detection of defects, both growth and processing; and the combined measurements to determine the conditions of such materials in various stages of processing or end-use. Subsurface sensing of wood and wood-based materials can be defined as any technique to acquire properties of these materials in a non-invasive manner and therefore will be considered similar to nondestructive evaluation.

Effect of reconstituting field-dried and early-harvested sorghum grain on the ensiling characteristics of the grain and on growth performance and carcass merit of feedlot heifers.

The objective of this study was to determine whether reconstituting field-dried and early-harvested sorghum grain affected the fermentation characteristics and feed value of the ensiled grain when fed to feedlot heifers. In Trial 1, sorghum grain was harvested at 14% moisture, rolled, and reconstituted to 25, 30, or 35% moisture, then ensiled in laboratory-scale silos. Lactic acid concentration increased (d 5 to 90) and pH decreased more rapidly (d 3 to 90) as moisture level increased (P < .05). Acetic acid concentration increased (P < .05) with moisture and day postfilling. Concentration of ethanol was highest (P < .05) in the 30 and 35% moisture grains from d 1 to 5, but by d 90 the ethanol concentration in the 25% moisture grain exceeded (P < .05) that of the two higher-moisture grains. Ammonia N concentration was lowest (P < .05) in the 25% moisture grain at all sampling times postfilling. In Trial 2, 288 heifers (BW = 286+/-83 kg) were used to compare the feeding value of rolled, ensiled sorghum grain harvested at 25% moisture to the same grain reconstituted to 30 or 35% moisture. A steam-flaked corn (SFC) diet served as the control. Final live weight; ADG; hot carcass weight; backfat depth; marbling score; kidney, pelvic, and heart fat; and liver abscess score were not affected by grain treatment (P > .10). Dry matter intake was highest (P < .10) for heifers fed the 25 or 30% moisture sorghum grain diets and lowest for those fed the SFC diet; DMI for heifers fed the 35% moisture sorghum grain diet was intermediate. Feeding 35% moisture sorghum grain improved gain efficiency (P < .10) compared with feeding 25 or 30% moisture sorghum grain by 9.0 and 5.7%, respectively. We conclude that reconstituting sorghum grain beyond the typical moisture levels of 25 to 30% would enhance the fermentation characteristics of the ensiled grain and improve gain efficiency in feedlot heifers.