Influence of dry-rolling and tempering agent addition during the steam-flaking of sorghum grain on its feeding value for feedlot cattle.
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of dry-rolling (DRS) and tempering agent (TA) addition during the steam-flaking of grain sorghum (SFS) for feedlot cattle. Five dietary treatments were compared: 1) DRS; 2) SFS, no TA; 3) SFS, 0.275 mg/kg of TA; 4) SFS, 1.375 mg/kg of TA; and 5) SFS, 2.750 mg/kg of TA. Bulk densities of DRS and SFS were 0.48 and 0.36 kg/L, respectively. Diets contained 70.6% grain sorghum (DM basis). One hundred fifty crossbred steers (336 kg of BW) were used in a 115-d finishing experiment to evaluate treatment effects on feedlot performance. Body weight gain averaged 1.49 kg/d and was not affected (P = 0.47) by treatments. The SFS reduced (P < 0.01) DMI (9%) and enhanced (P < 0.01) G:F (13%) and the NE(m) and NE(g) value of the diet (9 and 11%, respectively). Use of a TA before flaking sorghum did not influence (P > 0.20) cattle growth performance or NE(m) or NE(g) value of the diet. Given that the NE(m) and NE(g) values of DRS are 2.00 and 1.35 Mcal/kg, respectively (NRC, 1996), the corresponding values for SFS were 2.28 and 1.59 Mcal/kg. Five steers (397 kg of BW) with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square design to evaluate treatment effects on digestive function. Ruminal digestion of OM and starch was greater (14 and 16%, respectively; P < 0.01) for SFS vs. DRS. Steam-flaking sorghum increased (P < 0.01) postruminal digestion of OM (11%), N (10%), and starch (25%) and total tract digestion (P < 0.01) of OM (8.3%), N (8.2%), and starch (8.9%). Grain processing did not affect (P > 0.20) ruminal pH or VFA molar proportions. There was a cubic component (P < 0.10) to level of TA on ruminal pH and VFA molar proportions, with values being optimal at 1.375 mg/kg of tempering agent. It is concluded that steam-flaking grain sorghum will increase its NE value for maintenance and gain (14 and 18%, respectively) and enhance the MP value of the diet due to greater intestinal N digestion. The use of a TA to enhance the mechanical efficiency of the flaking process may not otherwise benefit the feeding value of sorghum.
Zinn
R A
RA
Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis 95616, USA. razinn@ucdavis.edu
Alverez
E G
EG
Montano
M
M
Salinas-Chavira
J
J
D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D004063:Digestion; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004386:Duodenum / Q000378:metabolism; D002149:Energy Intake; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D009753:Nutritive Value; D011897:Random Allocation; D012417:Rumen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D045868:Sorghum; D013213:Starch / Q000378:metabolism; D015430:Weight Gain
D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D013213:Starch; D009584:Nitrogen