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

在加拿大，大麦主要用于麦芽工业。平均而言，种植的大麦中只有20-30%符合严格的要求，可以用于酿造麦芽，其余的大麦则被用作牲畜饲料。大麦是加拿大西部肉牛和奶牛的重要能量来源，但需要对大麦谷物进行加工以优化消化率。由于饲料大麦不符合麦芽标准，饲料级大麦籽粒大小可能会发生变化，这种变化为确保充分加工提供了明显的挑战。本研究将通过评价提高饲料级大麦籽粒消化率的加工方法来评估提高饲料级大麦籽粒利用率的策略。本研究将评估蒸汽剥落作为牛肉和奶牛变粒大麦粒加工方法的应用。在收获条件不允许及时收获干谷物的情况下，还将研究饲喂高水分含量的大麦谷物，以帮助避免大麦变质。我们将进一步研究使用新型设备加工和混合大麦谷物与饲料，以提高大麦在奶牛和小牛部门的利用率。最后，我们将开发并验证一种体外试验来测量和表征大麦谷物的消化率，这说明了加工的方法和严重程度。这些数据将提高牛肉和奶牛饲料中大麦谷物的利用效率，并有助于确保将非人类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.