Improving the utilization of barley grain with variable kernel size for dairy and beef cattle through moisture-added processing

在加拿大，大麦谷物主要用于麦芽制造业。平均而言，只有20-30%的大麦符合麦芽的严格要求，其余的大麦被用作牲畜饲料。大麦是加拿大西部肉牛和奶牛的重要能源，但需要对大麦进行加工以优化消化率。由于饲料大麦不符合制麦标准，饲料级大麦的大麦籽粒大小可能会发生变化，这种变化对确保充分加工提出了明显的挑战。本研究将通过评估可能提高消化率的加工方法来评估提高饲料级大麦谷物利用率的策略。这项研究将评估使用蒸汽压片作为一种加工方法的大麦籽粒与可变的内核大小为肉牛和奶牛。还将研究在高水分含量下收获的大麦谷物的饲料，以帮助避免在收获条件不允许及时收获干燥谷物时大麦腐败。我们将进一步研究使用新型设备来加工和混合大麦谷物与饲料，以提高大麦在奶牛-小牛部门的利用率。最后，我们将开发和验证一种体外测定方法，以测量和表征大麦籽粒的消化率，说明加工的方法和严格程度。这些数据将提高牛肉和奶牛饮食中大麦谷物的使用效率，并有助于确保非人类级大麦转化为人类的高质量高蛋白食物来源。

In Canada, barley grain is predominantly grown for use in the malting industry. On average, only 20-30% of the barley grown meets the stringent requirements to be used for malt, with the remaining barley being diverted for use as livestock feed. Barley is an important energy source for beef and dairy cattle in western Canada, but processing of barley grain is required to optimize digestibility. As feed barley does not meet malting standards, variation in barley kernel size may occur with feed-grade barley and such variation provides a marked challenge to ensure adequate processing. This study will evaluate strategies to improve the utilization of feed-grade barley grain by evaluating processing methods that may improve digestibility. The research will evaluate the use of steam-flaking as a processing method for barley grain with variable kernel size for both beef and dairy cattle. Feeding barley grain harvested at a high moisture content will also be investigated to help avoid spoilage of barley when harvest conditions do not permit a timely harvest of dry cereal grains. We will further investigate the use of novel equipment to process and blend barley grain with forage to improve utilization of barley in the cow-calf sector. Finally, we will develop and validate an in vitro assay to measure and characterize barley grain digestibility that accounts for the method and severity of processing. These data will improve the efficiency of barley grain use in diets for beef and dairy cattle and help ensure that non-human grade barley is converted to a high-quality high-protein food source for people.