Quality Assessment of Feed Wheat in Ruminant Diets

Abstract

With adverse growing and harvesting conditions as well as the fluctuation of grain pricing, there have increased supplies of feed wheat used as livestock feed. However, the majority of wheat has been used as feed for poultry and swine, and ruminant producers have been reluctant to use large quantities of wheat because feeding wheat increases the risk of rumen acidosis due to rapid wheat starch digestion in the rumen. To avoid this problem, animal producers often believe that they must limit the amount of wheat in the diet to 50% or less. This chapter summarizes some research findings published in peer reviewed and extension articles on the use of feed wheat in ruminant diets. Substantial variation in physical and chemical composition exists among wheat samples, which are mainly influenced by type of wheat, variety and environmental conditions. Feed values of wheat are largely influenced by its physical properties and nutrient content; however, grain processing as well as its interaction with the physical characteristics is a critical consideration to optimize wheat utilization in ruminant diets. Wheat grain can be fed to animals at higher than typically used in the current livestock industry if proper bunk management and processing are employed.

Effect of Cereals and Legumes Processing on In Situ Rumen Protein Degradability: A Review

“…Optimal treatment can increase wheat digestibility from about 60% to over 90%. Indeed, accurate processing is fundamental for optimal results, over-processing itself may cause digestive disorders, and other factors such as stone hardness and uniformity can significantly affect the value of the grain [73]. a: rapidly soluble fraction (%), b: potentially degradable fraction (%), c: degradation rates (%/h), ED: effective degradability, -: data not reported.…”

Effect of dry or temper rolling of high- or low-protein wheat and its impact on rumen parameters, growth performance, and liver abscesses in feedlot cattle

“…Test weight is the quality index most frequently used by feed mills, this criterion measures the bulk density and kernel soundness, with values ranging between 640 to 800 kg/m 3 (Yang and Shen, 2018;Dziki and Laskowski, 2005). Bulky kernels with greater test weights have higher starch content within the endosperm as compared to light weight kernels.…”

“…Hard wheat types, such as CWAD, have greater resistance to fracturing compared to soft wheat types (CWSWS) (Hourston et al, 2017). Particle size analysis after processing is associated with kernel hardness and the quality of the final product (Yang and Shen, 2018). Soft wheat cultivars have friable endosperms that fracture along the starch-protein matrix interface, yielding smaller particle sizes with less damage to starch granules.…”

“…As reported by others(Anjum and Walker 1991;Wang and Fu 2020), the diameter, density, and weights of kernels were negatively associated with the protein content of wheat. Wheat types with a soft kernel texture and LP content tended to have heavier endosperms with a greater starch content than hard wheat types(Yang and Shen 2018). Although kernel weight and 1000 kernel weight was higher for LP wheat, test weight was slightly greater for HP wheat as less air spaces in the endosperm increase grain density(Yamazaki and Briggle…”