Rolled Grain Research Articles

Calculation of the end-rolling strength in Q235 strip steel by the alloying electron structure parameters

Combined with the phase transformations in rolling,the phase configuration,the tensile strength,and the yield strength with different terminal rolling grain sizes in Q235strip steel have been theoretically calculated using the covalent electron number(n A )of the strongest bond in phase cells and the interface electron density difference(Δρ)in alloys.The calculated results agree well with the results of real production.Therefore,the calculation method of terminal rolling tensile and yield strength in the non-quenched-tem-pered steel containing pearlite is given by the alloying electron structure parameters.

Effects of cereal grain supplementation on apparent digestibility of nutrients and concentrations of fermentation end-products in the feces and serum of horses consuming alfalfa cubes.

Twenty geldings (five groups; similar age and BW) were used in a completely randomized design experiment to determine effects of grain supplementation of an alfalfa-cube diet on apparent nutrient digestibility and hindgut fermentation. The geldings were housed individually, fed their diets in two equal meals (0600 and 1800), and adapted to five dietary treatments over 6 wk. The treatments were alfalfa cubes (1% of BW; DM basis) without (control) or with one of four rolled cereal grains (i.e., barley, corn, naked oats, or oats) to provide a target level of 0.4% of BW as total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC). Due to acute laminitis, three geldings (one in the control group and two in the barley group) were excluded. Because of this and multiple incidents of gas colic, TNC level was decreased to 0.2% of BW to ensure the geldings' health throughout the adaptation (7 d) and sample collection (5 d) periods. Grain intakes varied (P < 0.05) and reflected the different TNC concentrations. Apparent digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF, and cellulose were not affected (P > 0.05) by grain supplementation and averaged 63.2, 63.1, 79.5, 42.7, 39.9, and 50.3%, respectively. Regardless of the source, grain supplementation increased (P < 0.05) apparent digestibility of TNC (from 85.6 to 94.6%) and decreased (P < 0.05) fecal pH (from 7.04 to 6.74). Fecal concentrations of total VFA (mg/g of DM) were greatest for the barley and naked oats diets (averaging 11.73), intermediate for the oats diet (8.00), and least for the control and corn diets (averaging 5.00; P < 0.05). Fecal concentrations of lactate (microg/g of DM) were greatest for the barley diet (254), intermediate for the oats diet (138), and least for the remaining diets (averaging 100; P < 0.05). Fecal concentrations of NH3 N (mg/g of DM) were greatest for the naked oats diet (1.68), intermediate for the barley and oats diets (averaging 0.86), and least for the remaining diets (averaging 0.63; P < 0.05). Serum concentration of lactate was 46% higher (P < 0.05) for the control than for the grain diets (averaging 0.05 mg/100 mL). Feeding barley, corn, naked oats, and oats contributed to 13, 15, 8, and 20% higher (P < 0.05) serum NH3 N concentrations than the control diet (0.25 mg/100 mL). Higher (P < 0.05) serum concentrations of urea N (mg/100 mL) were detected for the control, barley, and naked oats diets (averaging 25.28) than for the corn or oats diets (averaging 22.21). Results suggest that horses consuming alfalfa cubes could be supplemented with rolled barley, corn, naked oats, or oats at levels not exceeding 0.2% of BW as TNC without affecting nutrient digestion or overall health negatively.

A review of genetic and non-genetic opportunities for manipulation of marbling

The biology of marbling is a considerable issue for the Australian beef industry. Measurement of the trait is still a concern: subjective assessment based on the degree of visual fat deposition and its distribution is the 'industry standard' and the basis for payment of marbling grades. Yet this measurement may be subject to operator error and is influenced by chiller temperature. Chemical extraction gives an unequivocal measure of all fat in the muscle (intramuscular fat percentage: IMF%) and has higher heritability and genetic variation than marble score; but does this mirror exactly what the trade regards as 'marbling'?Progeny test results from the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Cattle and Beef Quality breeding projects provide improved understanding of breed and genetic effects on IMF% and marble score. Estimated breeding values (EBVs) for IMF% have been released to the industry for 7 breeds. Heritability estimates confirm that genetic progress will be faster when selection is based on IMF% rather than marble score. Genetic correlations of IMF% with growth, retail beef yield (RBY%), P8 fat, residual feed intake (RFI) and tenderness are now available to underpin selection indices. A favourable allele for marbling (TG5) on chromosome 14 has been identified by CSIRO/MLA as a direct gene marker for the trait. This is now being marketed as GeneSTAR marbling. Other favourable chromosomal regions are under investigation by the CRC.Nutritional manipulation of marbling remains problematic. It is accepted that high-energy grain diets achieve higher marbling than pasture diets. Within grain-based feedlot diets higher marbling is achieved with maize than barley, while barley diets in turn are better than sorghum. Steam flaking produces higher marbling than dry rolled grain and this effect is more marked with sorghum than maize. Beyond these establishments there are many uncertainties: experiments have examined the effects of diets with high protein; low protein; protected lipid; protected protein; added oil with and without calcium; vitamin A deficiency. None of these manipulations gave consistent improvement in marble score or IMF%. Commercial feedlots supplying Japanese B3/B4 markets may have successful dietary manipulations to enhance marbling but because of its proprietary nature the information is not normally available for scientific scrutiny.Japan is the only market for Australian beef where marbling is an important component of the market specification. There can be no doubt that marbling meets a special consumer preference in that niche market. In other markets scientific evidence for a link between marbling and beef tenderness or eating quality has been difficult to define (marbling is a key component of the USA grading scheme for primal cuts but Australia is not a big supplier to that market). In the domestic Meat Standards Australia market there is a trend for marbling to become more important as a consumer issue in 5-star products where higher order sensory attributes of beef come into play. Early meat science investigations concluded that beef flavour elements were water-soluble. This would exclude marbling fat as having a notable influence on flavour.Marbling remains the major determinant of carcass value in Australia's most valuable beef market. Research should continue to assist Australian producers to meet the specifications of that market with increased precision and reduced costs.

Relating spatial and temporal variability in sediment chlorophylla and carbohydrate distribution with erodibility of a tidal flat

Trends in the spatial distribution of chlorophylla (chla) and colloidal and total carbohydrates on the Molenplaat tidal flat in the Westerschelde estuary, Netherlands, reflected spatial differences in physical properties of the sediment. Results from a Spearman Rank Order Correlation indicated that many of the physical and biological measures covaried. Multiple regression analyses describing the relationship between colloidal carbohydrates and sediment properties resulted in several highly significant equations, although in all cases chla was able to predict colloidal carbohydrate content. Relationships between sediment surface chla and colloidal carbohydrate, and sediment erodibility (i.e., critical erosion threshold, Ucrit, and mass of sediment eroded at a velocity of 30 cm s−1) determined in annular flume experiments were examined. Overall sediment erodibility was lowest (i.e., high thresholds, low mass eroded) for the siltiest sediments in June 1996 when chla and colloidal carbohydrates were high (56.9 μg gDW−1 and 320.6 μg gluc.equ. gDW−1, respectively), and greatest (i.e., low thresholds, high mass eroded) at the sandier sediments in September 1996, when chla and colloidal carbohydrates were low (1.0 μg gDW−1 and 5.7 μg gluc.equ. gDW−1, respectively). When sediments were grouped according to relative silt content, the most significant relationships were found in muddy sand with a finegrained fraction (<63 μm) of 25–50%. Thresholds of erosion increased, while mass of sediment eroded decreased, with increasing chla and colloidal carbohydrate. A similar trend was observed for the sand-muddy sand (63 μm 10–25%). In the sand (63 μm 0–10%), there were no relationships for Ucrit, whereas mass eroded appeared to increase with increasing chla and colloidal carbohydrate. The increased carbohydrate may stick sand grains together, altering the nature of erosion from rolling grains to clumps of resuspension.

Effects of flaxseed supplementation on milk production, milk fatty acid composition and nutrient utilization by lactating dairy cows

Twelve multiparous Holstein cows at 72 ± 20 days in milk were used in a switch-back design with 14-d periods to determine the effect of replacing barley grain into a dairy total mixed ration with micronized or raw flaxseed on nutrient digestibility, milk yield, milk composition. Total mixed diets were (DM basis) 50% barley silage, 50% concentrate mix mainly rolled barley grain and canola meal. Diets were supplemented with 1 kg raw (RF) or micronized (MF) flaxseed to substitute 1 kg of rolled barley grain (C). Neutral detergent fibre, ADF and CP digestibility of the diets were not significantly affected by supplementation; however, calcium digestibility was reduced by 62% and 46% when raw and micronized flax were fed, respectively. Milk yield (38.3, 39.6, and 38.4 kg/d for diets C, RF and MF, respectively) was similar for all diets. Milk fat (3.50, 3.48, and 3.52%) and protein (3.31, 3.34, and 3.31%) for diets C, RF and MF, respectively, were not affected by treatment diets. Concentrations of c9, t11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; 0.51, 0.72 and 0.76 g/100 g fatty acids) in milk fat increased (P < 0.05) similarly among the two flaxseed supplemented diets. The RF and MF diets significantly increased the C18:1, C18:1 trans-11, C18:2 cis-9, cis-12 and C18:3 in milk fat however, C12:0, C14:0 and C16:0 were significantly reduced compared with control. Replacing barley grain with flaxseed in the diet of lactating cows increased the beneficial fatty acids in milk without depressing nutrient digestibility. Micronization of flaxseed did not reveal any advantage over raw flaxseed.

高純度アルミニウム箔の立方体集合組織に及ぼす部分焼なまし‐軽圧延処理の繰返しの影響

Cube texture formation in high purity aluminum foil for electrolytic capacitor was investigated by X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy. In addition to one step of partial annealing and light rolling process, one or two more steps of the process lead to the formation of the more intense cube texture than by the one step. Simultaneously, as the cycles of partial annealing and light rolling increase, formation of R-orientation grains is suppressed. Optimum condition of second and third partial annealing and light rolling for the formation of strong cube texture was determined. It was confirmed by slip trace experiments that cube grains formed at second partial annealing grow preferentially during final annealing after second light rolling. Strong cube texture formation was ascribed to the ease of recovery in rolled cube grains and their preferential growth at the expense of un-recrystallized region.

Evolution of small scale regular patterns generated by waves propagating over a sandy bottom

In this paper the evolution of a sandy bottom subject to a wave generated flow has been analyzed using an image acquisition technique. In particular, ripple formation was observed starting from a flat bed till a stable configuration was attained. The experimental findings showed that rolling grain ripples never appeared as a stable configuration but only as a transition toward the equilibrium, represented by vortex ripples. The latter stage was reached after about 100 cycles if lightweight sediments were used, or about 400 cycles if quartz sediments were adopted. It was also observed that when the bedforms appear their wavelength is much smaller (about one half) than that at the equilibrium stage, this result being in contrast with most of the analytical models on bedform evolution. Finally, it was observed that ripples migrate as soon as they appear. The measured velocity of migration seems to confirm, from a qualitative point of view, the theoretical findings obtained for rolling grain ripples by Blondeaux et al. [Eur. J. Mech. B/Fluids 19, 285 (2000)].

A particle model of rolling grain ripples under waves

A simple model for the formation of rolling grain ripples on a flat sand bed by the oscillatory flow generated by a surface wave is presented. An equation of motion is derived for the individual ripples, seen as “particles,” on the otherwise flat bed. The model accounts for the initial appearance of the ripples, the subsequent coarsening of the ripples, and the final equilibrium state. The model is related to the physical parameters of the problem, and an analytical approximation for the equilibrium spacing of the ripples is developed. It is found that the spacing between the ripples scales with the square-root of the nondimensional shear stress (the Shields parameter) on a flat bed. The results of the model are compared with measurements, and reasonable agreement between the model and the measurements is demonstrated.

Effect of Tween 80 and salinomycin on ruminal fermentation and nutrient digestion in steers fed a diet containing 70% barley

Ten Jersey steers (484 ± 55 kg) were fed a basal diet of 70% rolled barley grain and 30% alfalfa silage [dry matter (DM) basis] with or without additives, in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square experiment. Treatments (additives per kilogram dietary DM) were: C, no additives (control); T, Tween 80 (2 g kg−1); SH, salinomycin (13 mg kg−1); TSM, Tween 80 (2 g kg−1) plus salinomycin (6.5 mg kg−1); and TSL, Tween 80 (2 g kg−1) plus salinomycin (3.25 mg kg−1). Ruminal pH, concentrations of ammonia, total free amino acids, reducing sugars and total volatile fatty acids (VFA), and fluid phase viscosity were unaffected (P &gt; 0.05) by treatment. Ruminal carboxymethylcellulase, xylanase and amylase activities, numbers of protozoa, and outflow rates of the liquid and solid phases of ruminal contents did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) among treatments. Ruminal lactic acid bacteria populations tended (P &lt; 0.1) to be smaller with SH compared with C, but counts were unaffected (P &gt; 0.05) by T, TSL and TSM. Partitioning of ruminal digesta and microbial protein flow were similar (P &gt; 0.05) among treatments. Compared with C, the ruminal rate of degradation (in situ) of alfalfa DM tended to be higher (P &lt; 0.10) with SH, and the rate of barley grain DM degradation was higher (P &lt; 0.05) with T. Intake and apparent digestibilities of DM, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and crude protein were unaffected (P &gt; 0.05) by treatment, as were blood glucose and urea levels. Tween 80 and salinomycin did not affect ruminal fermentation or nutrient digestibility in steers fed a barley grain/alfalfa silage diet. Key words: Tween 80, salinomycin, ruminal fermentation, digestibility, steer

A period of energy supplementation but not the type of supplement influences the insulin response to exogenous glucose in food-restricted post-partum suckler beef cows

AbstractTwo experiments were designed to study the influence of an increase in energy supply on the utilization of exogenous glucose in food-restricted post-partum Charolais suckler beef cows. In experiment 1, 18 cows were given a basal diet (BD) providing 0·70 of energy requirements from calving with or without an energy supplement (SD) of 2 kg of rolled triticale grain starting at day 32 post partum. On day 42 post partum an injection of glucose (1·0 mmol/kg live weight) lasting 20 min resulted in a similar plasma glucose and cortisol profile in each diet group but a smaller plasma insulin increase in SD than in BD cows (146 (s.e. 37)v.273 (s.e. 37) pmol/l,P&lt; 0·05). Plasma non-esterified fatty acids concentrations were reduced by the glucose injection (P&lt; 0·01). Experiment 2 compared the efficiency of an energy supplement in the form of concentrate (CS, maize grain, no. = 11) or forage (PS, maize silage, no. = 10) in oestrous-synchronized beef cows previously given a restricted diet. Glucose injection resulted in a small increase in insulin concentrations during infusion with a peak at 20 min (PS: 250 (s.e. 34)v.CS: 257 (s.e. 32) pmol/l,P&gt; 0·05). No differences were observed between the two groups of cows for glucose, insulin and cortisol profiles (P&gt; 0·05). Similar pregnancy rates after oestrous synchronization treatment were observed in CS and PS cows (6/11v.5/10). In conclusion, a period of supplementation sufficient to re-establish energy balance, but not the type of supplement, influences the insulin response to exogenous glucose in food-restricted post-partum Charolais beef cows.

Mechanisms of granular spontaneous stratification and segregation in two-dimensional silos

Spontaneous stratification of granular mixtures has been reported by Makse et al. [Nature 386, 379 (1997)] when a mixture of grains differing in size and shape is poured in a quasi-two-dimensional heap. We study this phenomenon using two different approaches. First, we introduce a cellular automaton model that illustrates clearly the physical mechanism; the model displays stratification whenever the large grains are rougher than the small grains, in agreement with the experiments. Moreover, the dynamics are close to those of the experiments, where the layers are built through a ``kink'' at which the rolling grains are stopped. Second, we develop a continuum approach, based on a recently introduced set of coupled equations for surface flows of granular mixtures that allows us to make quantitative predictions for relevant quantities. We study the continuum model in two limit regimes: the large flux or thick flow regime, where the percolation effect (i.e., segregation of the rolling grains in the flow) is important, and the small flux or thin flow regime, where all the rolling grains are in contact with the surface of the sandpile. We find that the wavelength of the layers behaves linearly with the flux of grains. We obtain analytical predictions for the shape of the kink giving rise to stratification as well as the profile of the rolling and static species when segregation of the species is observed.

Response of lactating dairy cows to steam-flaked sorghum, steam-flaked corn, or steam-rolled corn and protein sources of differing degradability.

Protein sources with different degradabilities were fed to 48 lactating Holstein cows receiving 37 or 39% of dietary dry matter as steam-flaked sorghum (360 g/L), steam-flaked corn (360 g/L), or steam-rolled corn (490 g/L) in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Cows were fed an alfalfa-based diet with 7% soybean meal or 5% of an animal-marine protein blend and 37 or 39% grain. Although not significant, cows fed flaked grain yielded a mean of 1.5 kg/d more milk than did those fed rolled grain. Gross feed efficiency was not affected by grain processing or protein source, but diets with the animal-marine protein blend had 9% higher estimated net energy for lactation than did diets with soybean meal. The greater gains in body weight and increased digestibility of the diets with the animal-marine protein blend verify the higher energy concentration of those diets. Yield of milk protein was increased by flaked grain or the animal-marine protein blend, and flaked grain increased percentages of lactose and solids nonfat. Increasing the ratio of rumen-degradable starch to rumen-degradable protein increased milk protein content and yield linearly and increased contents of lactose and solids nonfat. A linear response of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and starch digestibilities was observed as the ratio of rumen-degradable starch to rumen-degradable protein increased. These data show improved performance of dairy cows fed a high rumen-undegradable protein source with diets high in rumen-degradable starch from steam-processed grains.

Effects of DL-malate on ruminal metabolism and performance of cattle fed a high-concentrate diet.

To determine the effects of DL-malate on ruminal metabolism, four steers equipped with ruminal cannulas were fed an 80% rolled grain (75% corn:25% wheat) diet twice daily with a DMI equal to 2.0% of BW (485+/-24.8 kg). DL-Malate was infused into the rumen on two consecutive days in 500 mL of phosphate buffer to provide 0, 27, 54, or 80 g of DL-malate/d. Ruminal pH linearly increased (P < .01) with DL-malate concentration and was greater (P < .01) for DL-malate than for the control steers (6.07 vs 5.77). DL-Malate treatment linearly decreased (P < .10) total VFA and tended to linearly increase (P = .10) acetate concentration. Propionate, butyrate, and L-lactate concentrations and acetate:propionate ratio were not affected (P > .10) by DL-malate. Three finishing studies were conducted to determine the effects of feeding DL-malate on growth rate and feed efficiency. In a 98-d experiment, 33 crossbred steers were randomly allotted in a Calan gate feeding system to three DL-malate levels (0, 40, and 80 g/d). Steers (initial weight = 367+/-4.5 kg) were fed a rolled corn-based diet twice daily. After 84 d on feed, gain efficiency (gain:feed) tended to improve with more DL-malate (linear, P < .10) and was 8.1% greater (P < .05) for DL-malate than for the control. The ADG linearly increased (P < .05) with more DL-malate and was 8.6% greater (P = .10) for DL-malate than for the control. After 98-d on feed, ADG was linearly increased (P = .09) by DL--malate, and the greatest increase occurred with 80 g of DL-malate. In the second performance study, 27 Angus steers were randomly allotted in a Calan gate feeding system to three DL-malate concentrations (0, 60, and 120 g/d). Steers (initial weight = 432+/-4.6 kg) were fed diets used in the first finishing study twice daily, but DL-malate was included during the 10-d step-up period. During the 10-d step-up period, feed efficiency and ADG linearly increased (P = .01) with more DL-malate. DL-Malate had little effect on steer and heifer performance or plasma constituents in a 113-d finishing study. Collectively, these results suggest that feeding DL-malate to cattle consuming high-grain diets alleviates subclinical acidosis, and it improved animal performance in two finishing studies.

Dynamics of granular stratification

Spontaneous stratification in granular mixtures has been recently reported by H. A. Makse et al. [Nature 386, 379 (1997)]. Here we study experimentally the dynamical processes leading to spontaneous stratification. Using a high-speed video camera, we study a rapid flow regime where the rolling grains size segregate during the avalanche. We characterize the dynamical process of stratification by measuring all relevant quantities: the velocity of the rolling grains, the velocity of the kink, the wavelength of the layers, the rate of collision between rolling and static grains, and all the angles of repose characterizing the mixture. The wavelength of the layers behaves linearly with the thickness of the layer of rolling grains (i.e., with the flow rate), in agreement with theoretical predictions. The velocity profile of the grains in the rolling phase is a linear function of the position of the grains along the moving layer. We also find that the speed of the upward-moving kink has the same value as the mean speed of the downward-moving grains. We measure the shape and size of the kink, as well as the profiles of the rolling and static phases of grains, and find agreement with recent theoretical predictions.

Ruminal fermentation and in situ starch digestion with high moisture corn, dry rolled grain sorghum or a mixture of these grains

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of feeding mixtures of high moisture corn (HMC) and dry-rolled grain sorghum (DRGS) on ruminal fermentation and site and the extent of starch digestion. Three ruminally fistulated steers were used in a replicated Latin square design. Dietary grain treatments were:(1) 100% HMC;(2) 67% HMC:33% DRGS; and (3) 100% DRGS. Starch and DM intake ( P<0.01), and in situ rate of starch disappearance of DRGS ( P<0.05) increased linearly as sorghum was added to the diet. Entodinium counts and total amylolytic activity tended to be higher (quadratic, P=0.20) in the mixture. VFA and molar proportion were not affected by the treatments. No associative effects were detected in ruminal starch digestion. Ruminal protozoa numbers were increased when DRGS and HMC were combined.

Composition of liquid-and particle-associated bacteria and their contribution to the rumen outflow

A method is described to estimate the composition and rumen outflow of microbes associated with liquid (LAB) and solid (SAB) digesta. Four rumen-cannulated Rasa Aragonesa ewes were given, in random order, the following 4 diets: (1) NaOH-treated barley straw, as a sole diet (700 g/day, TS); (2) NaOH-treated barley straw mixed (50 : 50) with 400 g/day of rolled barley grain (BS); (3) Diet 1 with addition of 8 g/day of urea; and (4) Diet 2 with addition of 16 g/day of urea. Co-EDTA was used as a marker for the liquid phase to estimate rumen outflow of liquid-associated purine bases (PB), and urinary purine derivatives were used as an indirect marker of total duodenal flow of PB. Solid-associated PB were calculated by the difference between both estimates. Urea infusion increased ammonia-N concentration in the rumen fluid from 4·8 to 15·9 mg/100 mL (P &lt; 0· 05) and enhanced dry matter intake of TS diets (from 343±63· 5 to 556±41·2 g/day, P &lt; 0·001). Significant differences were observed in the PB/N ratio of bacteria harvested from the liquid phase compared with that isolated from the solid phase (1·89±0·25 v. 1·66±0·32 mol/mg in LAB and SAB, respectively). Because of the differences observed between the liquid- and solid-associated bacteria, estimated values of bacterial N supply varied depending on which bacterial extract was used as reference. The fractional contribution of LAB and SAB to the postruminal bacteria was significantly influenced by the experimental diets, mainly through variations in the amount of LAB flowing out of the rumen.

The effect of grain source and grain processing on performance of feedlot cattle: a review.

Effects of grain species and grain processing method on DMI, rate and efficiency of gain, and feeding value for cattle fed high concentrate diets were appraised by statistically compiling results from 605 comparisons from feeding trials published in North American journals and experiment station bulletins since 1974. Metabolizable energy (ME) values for each grain and processing method were calculated by quadratic procedures from DMI and animal performance. Averaged across processing methods, ME values for corn, milo, and wheat grain (3.40, 3.22, and 3.46 Mcal/kg DM) fell within 9% of ME estimates from NRC (1996) for beef cattle. In contrast, ME values for barley and oats grain (3.55 and 3.46 Mcal/kg DM) were 24% and 17% greater than NRC (1996) estimates. Compared with the dry rolled forms, high moisture corn and milo resulted in lower ADG and DMI. Compared with dry rolling, either steam rolling or flaking of corn, milo, and wheat decreased DMI without decreasing ADG and improved feed efficiency by 10, 15, and 10%, respectively. Compared with dry rolled grain, steam flaking increased (P < .05) body weight-adjusted ME of corn and milo grain by 15 and 21%, respectively; body weight-adjusted ME for whole corn was 9% greater (P < .05) than for rolled corn grain. Steam flaking was surprisingly effective (13%) at increasing (P < .05) the body weight-adjusted ME of wheat, but steam flaking failed to increase the ME of barley and oats. Higher moisture content of high-moisture corn decreased dry matter intake without depressing ADG and improved efficiency and increased ME of the grain. Compared with steam flakes of moderate thinness, processing milo or barley to a very thin flake tended to reduce ADG and failed to improve feed efficiency. The ideal roughage source and roughage moisture content for maximum ME and ADG varied with grain processing method. Feeding corn silage rather than alfalfa and wet rather than dry roughage depressed (P < .01) ADG of cattle and reduced (P < .01) body weight-adjusted ME of cattle fed high-moisture corn grain but tended to increase both with steam-flaked corn or wheat.

A model for the dynamics of sandpile surfaces

We propose a new continuum description of the dynamics of sandpile surfaces, which recognizes the existence of two populations of grains: immobile and rolling. The rolling grains are carried down the slope with a constant drift velocity and have a certain dispersion constant. We introduce a simple bilinear approximation for the interconversion process, which represents both the random sticking of rolling grains (below the angle of repose), and the dislodgement of immobile grains by rolling ones (for greater slopes). We predict that the mean downhill motion of rolling grains causes surface features to move uphill; shocks can arise at large amplitudes

Comparison of Sorghum and Corn Grains in Early and Midlactation Diets for Dairy Cows

Two trials were conducted to compare the effects of corn and sorghum grains on performance of early and midlactation Holstein dairy cows. In trial 1, 36 multiparous midlactation cows were assigned to one of four diets in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement for 10 wk: 1) grain mixture containing 77% rolled corn fed in a TMR, 2) same grain fed separately from forage, 3) grain mixture containing 77% finely ground sorghum fed in a TMR, and 4) same grain fed separately from forage. Grain source and feeding methods had similar effects on milk yield, milk fat percentage, SNF, SCM, and BW. Cows fed sorghum had higher DMI; cows fed corn had greater efficiency of milk yield. In mal 2, 36 multiparous early lactation cows were assigned to one of four TMR in a 2×2 factorial arrangement for 9 wk: 1) TMR containing 35.5% rolled corn, 2) TMR containing 35.5% finely ground corn, 3) TMR containing 35.5% rolled sorghum, and 4) TMR containing 35.5% finely ground sorghum. Grain source produced no differences in DMI, milk yield, milk fat percentage, SCM, and BW. Cows fed finely ground grain yielded more milk than those fed rolled grain. Finely ground sorghum promoted higher milk protein and SNF percentages than did finely ground corn. Total tract starch digestibility was greater for corn than for sorghum. These two trials indicate that sorghum grain, when finely ground, supports milk yield and composition similar to that of corn.

Effects of sorghum hybrid and grain supplementation on the utilization of silage-based rations for growing cattle (1994)

Three whole-plant sorghum silages, each with or without 25% added rolled grain sorghum were fed to six medium-framed, ruminally cannulated steers in a 6 x 6 Latin square design. The grain sorghum silage rations (DeKalb 42Y) had the highest DM, OM, and ADF digestibilities; the late-season forage sorghum silage rations (DeKalb FS 25E), the lowest. Digestibility of NDF tended to be highest for the grain sorghum silage, but starch digestibilities were not affected by sorghum hybrid. Ruminal ammonia, acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total VFA concentrations were highest for the grain sorghum silage rations. Grain supplementation increased DM and OM digestibilities but had no effect on NDF, ADF, or starch digestibilities. Ruminal pH was decreased, whereas VFA concentrations were not affected by grain supplementation. The grain sorghum silage had the highest nutritive value, and the middle-season forage sorghum silage (DeKalb FS 5) was superior to the late-season forage sorghum. These results are consistent with several of our previous trials, which compared grain and forage sorghum silages for growing (backgrounding) cattle.