HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Franks, L. G. Articles by Totusek, R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Franks, L. G. Articles by Totusek, R.

Relationship of Rumen Volatile Fatty Acids to Type of Grain, Sorghum Grain Processing Method and Feedlot Performance^{1, 2,}

Oklahoma State University,⁶ Stillwater 74074

Abstract

Rumen samples (one to four) were taken by stomach tube from 160 cattle in four feeding trials and analyzed for VFA. The effect of grain (oats, barley, sorghum grain, corn, wheat) on VFA level was determined in two trials. Barley increased butyrate (P<.01) and decreased propionate (P<.05); otherwise, type of grain had little influence. Sorghum grain processing method significantly (P<.05, P<.01 in two trials) affected daily gain, feed intake, and feed/kg grain but failed to significantly (P>.05) affect VFA level.

Propionate and A/P ratio were significantly (P<.05, P<.01) related (positively and negatively, respectively) to daily gain in two of three trials. Significant (P<.01) negative correlations were also noted in one trial between A/P ratio and feed intake, and between total VFA concentration and feed/kg gain.

Under the conditions of these trials with limited rumen samplings of intact animals during the feeding period, ruminal VFA values did not provide a sensitive measure of differences in feed/kg gain effected by sorghum grain processing method.

¹ Published as Journal Article 1995 of the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Stillwater.

² Partial financial support was provided by Farmland Industries, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri. The assistance of J. V. Whiteman in statistical analysis, R. D. Morrison in computer programming, and Vincent Neuhaus in procurement of data is gratefully acknowledged.

³ Present address: Guymon, Oklahoma.

⁴ Present address: Eufala, Oklahoma.

⁵ Present address: El Reno, Oklahoma.

⁶ Department of Animal Sciences and Industry in cooperation with A.H.R.D., A.R.S., U.S.D.A.