Abstract
Four yearling Angus steers fitted with permanent abomasal fistulas were used in a 4 × 4 latin square experimental design to measure relative sorghum grain carbohydrate digestion in different segments of the digestive tract, and to study the effects of various methods of grain processing on starch utilization in the rumen and/or postruminal digestive tract. Processing methods studied were: dry-ground, steam-flaked, reconstituted-ground and micronized. The location of maximum starch digestion varied with processing method. Total starch digestibility was significantly improved (P<.05) by steam-flaking and reconstitution relative to other treatments. Also, ruminal starch digestion was significantly (P<.05) greatest in steers fed steam-flaked and reconstituted grain. In steers fed dry-ground and micronized grain, ruminal starch digestion was impaired and postruminal digestion failed to completely compensate for the reduced ruminal starch fermentation. The difference observed in total carbohydrate digestibility was not significant (P>.05). Copyright © 1971. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1971 by American Society of Animal Science.