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TDN
– Sum of the digestible protein, digestible
fiber, digestible nitrogen-free extract and
digestible fat x 2.25
Concentrates
Low in protein
Used as a feedstuff for all animals
Approximately 25% of all corn
production is fed to hogs.
Constitutes about 81% of all grains fed
to livestock in the U.S.
Oats (Avena sativa)
Very palatable, and considered to be an
excellent conditioning feed
High in protein when compared to the other
grains
Best balance of amino acids of the cereal
grains
TDN approximately 75%
Compared with corn, oats have a feeding
value of 70-80% on a lb for lb basis.
Oats (Avena sativa)
Palatable feed
Contains more protein, lysine and fiber
than corn
TDN approximately 82%
Compared to corn, barley has a 90-95%
feeding value on a lb for lb basis
Barley (Hordeum vulgare)
A large portion of the barley grown in the U.S.
is used for brewing and distilling.
As a feedstuff:
– An excellent source of energy for Beef and Dairy
cattle
– A good source of fiber for poultry and swine.
– Barley should be ground or somehow processed
prior to feeding for all species of livestock
Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare)
Sorghum is increasing in importance as
a feedstuff, and currently ranks second
behind corn.
Almost exclusively a feed grain in the
United States.
Sorghum has a TDN value of 75%
When compared to corn, sorghum has a
feeding value of 85-95%
Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare)
Millet
– TDN approximately 70%
– May be used as a feed for livestock and
poultry
Emmer
– TDN approx. 77%
– Minor grain crop similar to barley and oats.
Minor Cereal Grains
Spelt
– TDN approx 75%
– Principally used as a livestock feed.
– Grain has no milling value.
Triticale
– Hybrid of durum wheat and rye
– TDN of 84%
– Difficult to use for livestock because of high costs
Digestion
The consumption of grain in a ration results in
the acquisition of carbohydrates or more
simply put starch which the body can use for
energy for the biological processes
mentioned earlier.
Digestion and absorption of these starches
takes place in different places in the different
types of livestock.
Digestion
Ruminants vs. Non-Ruminants
– Ruminant animals digest starches in a different
way than do non-ruminants
– In the non-ruminant starches are broken down and
absorbed in the small intestine
– This is accomplished by a series of enzymes
(amylase, trypsin, etc.) which breaks the starch
down into a 6 carbon sugar known as glucose.
• Glucose is the sugar from which the body produces ATP
(useable energy)
Digestion
In the ruminant, the starches first reach the
rumen.
Here, the starches undergo microbial
fermentation and are converted into Volatile
Fatty Acids (VFAs)
These VFAs are short chain carbon
molecules 2,3,4 carbon atoms long which are
absorbed into the blood stream through the
rumen wall.
Digestion
Once in the blood stream, these carbon
chains can enter the cells and directly into the
Citric Acid Cycle to be converted into ATP.
Not all starch will be digested by the rumen.
Some will escape and enter the abomasum
(true stomach) and small intestine. Once this
occurs, digestion and absorption will occur in
the same manner as it did in the non-
ruminant.
Problems