PROCESSING CEREAL-GRAINS FOR CATTLE - A REVIEW

A review is given of the effects in cattle of processing barley, oat, wheat and maize grains. Results published since 1975 are considered for both physical and chemical methods of processing dry and moist grain. Barley, wheat and maize grains need to be processed before being given to milking cows although this recommendation is based on few reports. With young cattle given high-grain diets processing will produce few if any benefits, but with mixed diets processing of grains except oats will considerably increase digestibility of starch and animal production. Further work is required to evaluate fully the effects in each class of cattle of physical and chemical methods of processing on the rate and site of starch digestion and on voluntary intake of forages.