Week 6

Feed Processing

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Grain processing – mostly for feedlot cattle
- Some processing will improve intake, efficiency
- Coarse grinding enough, some improved starch digestion with heat treatment
- See Table 11-7 on page 212 for details of comparisons
- As forage increases, processing advantage decreases
Forage processing
- Mostly to improve handling, mixing, delivery
- Slightly faster forage passage rate, higher intake
- Cubed forages not economical, too large for young beef
Pelleted feeds can reduce waste when feeding on the ground, allow other supplementation (mineral/vitamins, protein) in one feed
Supplements can be pressed into large blocks
- Regulate intake, reduce labor of supplementation

Salt block

Grain processing important
- High nutrient requirements
- Must balance rapid digestibility with acetate in rumen for milkfat production, reduced acidosis
- Course grinding, dry rolling adequate for TMR feeding
- “Textured” feeds of pellets and rolled or flaked grains best for separate feeding of grain as in milking parlor
Some forage chopped for mixing and handling convenience
Table 11-9 on page 214 summarizes dairy feeding trials