Grain processing differences between barley varieties for cattle

Non-Peer ReviewedBarley is fed to cattle as a concentrated energy source. Before feeding, the grain is cracked (processed) to expose the endosperm to rumen fermentation. Processing disrupts the endosperm starch-protein matrix and produces fine particles (fines). Fines may lead to acidosis and liver abscesses in cattle. In 2004, nine Western Canadian barley varieties, including seven feed and two malt varieties, were analyzed for fines produced after three processing treatments: dry with minimal processing, dry with excessive processing, and tempered with excessive processing. Fines were measured as the percentage of processed sample falling through a 1.40 mm brass sieve. Grain hardness, using Single Kernel Characterization System (SKCS), and protein content, using Near Infrared Transmittance (NIT) were analyzed to identify their relationship with fines production. Varieties differed in % fines produced after rolling with variety by processing interaction being present (P<0.05). However, Xena and CDC Dolly produced significantly less fines for all processing methods and CDC Trey and CDC Bold produced more (P<0.05). Varieties with more protein produced fewer fines when minimally dry rolled, with the exception of Xena (P<0.05). Grain hardness and protein content appear related to processing characteristics; however, correlations were not significant. Grain hardness was significantly correlated with protein (R=0.77, P<0.05)

Semi-dwarf barley performance in Saskatchewan

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Higher protein milling oat for Saskatchewan

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Response of barley to Glean® (chlorsulfuron)

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Grain hardness in barley

Non-Peer ReviewedGrain hardness is described as the resistance of the kernel to fracture or the extent of endosperm packing. In barley, it is a product of the complex interaction between compositional and structural endosperm components, including starch, protein and beta-glucan and the matrix formed between these components. Grain hardness may contribute significantly to barley quality. This research examined the relationship between grain hardness determination by milling energy, SKCS hardness, and endosperm light reflectance of eight Western Canadian feed and malting barley genotypes grown at multiple locations and the influence of protein and betaglucan on hardness. Genotypes differed in milling energy, SKCS hardness, and endosperm light reflectance with all three hardness methods ranking genotypes similarly. All three hardness methods were significantly correlated. McLeod, CDC Dolly and Valier genotypes were consistently harder while CDC Bold was consistently softest. Grain hardness was influenced by protein and beta-glucan content in this small sample set

Seasonal variations in the nutritive parameters of barley grains for cattle

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Chemical characteristics and nutritive values of three oat varieties for ruminants

Non-Peer ReviewedThe objectives of this study were to determine the magnitude of differences among oat varieties of in terms of detailed chemical and nutritional characteristics (including: 1) chemical composition, 2) total digestible nutrient (TDN) and energy values at maintenance and production level for both dairy and beef cattle, 3) protein and carbohydrate subfractions, 4) in situ degradation kinetics of components, and 5) nutrient supply/availability) and provide detailed feeding values for ruminants. Six oat samples comprised of 3 cultivars (CDC Dancer, Derby and CDC SO-I) grown over two years (2005 and 2006) were obtained from the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. The samples were analyzed for DM, CP, EE, GE, starch, ash, NDF, ADF, ADL, NDICP, ADICP, SCP and NPN. Total digestible nutrient (TDN) and energy values (TDN1x, DE3x, ME3x, NEL3x, DE4x, ME4x, NEL4x of dairy, ME, NEm and NEg of beef) at maintenance and production levels for both dairy and beef cattle were determined using NRC-2001 and NRC-1996 chemical approaches. Protein and carbohydrate fractions were determined using the CNCPS system. Rumen degradation kinetics (DM, CP and starch) were determined in situ. The nutrient supply/availability will be estimated using the DVE/OEB system and NRC-2001 model. Detailed chemical composition, TDN and energy values and CNCPS protein and carbohydrate fractions are reported here. The information obtained from this study will be useful for oat breeders and feed industry

Low-lignin hull in oat

Non-Peer ReviewedThe use of whole oat in feed rations is restricted due to low digestibility of the hull. AC Assiniboia hulls have decreased acid detergent lignin (ADL) content. AC Assiniboia was crossed with OT 775 and the resulting lines were measured for ADL content. The ratio of F4:5 lines with low to normal ADL concentration fit a 1:1 genetic ratio. Indicating that the low-lignin trait is controlled by a single major gene. ADL concentration was correlated with hull colour and acid detergent fiber concentration. ADL concentration was not correlated with the protein or fat concentration of the groat. Simple inheritance of the low-lignin trait indicates that it can be incorporated into the oat breeding program. Furthermore, ADL concentration is not correlated with groat fat so a cultivar with a low lignin hull and high fat groat can be developed

Use of genotypic variation of oat (Aven sativa. L) cultivars to suppress wild oat (Avena fatua. L) competition

Non-Peer ReviewedWild oat (Avena fatua L.) is considered to be one of the most troublesome weed in oat cultivation due to its difficulty to control using herbicides. Genotypic variation in oat cultivars can be used as a potential strategy to suppress the wild oat competition. Seven oat lines generated from a cross of the forage oat CDC Baler and the semi-dwarf oat Ronald were evaluated for the competitive ability with wild oat. The lines were grown with and without wild oat at 250plants m-2 at two locations in 2008.Plant height, light interception, shoot biomass, and grain yield data were recorded. According to the preliminary data analysis the selected cop genotypes shows a significant (P <0.05) difference in plant height among the genotypes. The grain yield, wild oat biomass and test weight was not significantly different among the oat genotypes. Therefore from these preliminary data the variation for the competitive ability was not identified among the oat genotypes used in this experiment

New sources of scald (Rhynchosporium secalis Davis) resistance for western Canadian barley

Non-Peer ReviewedScald, caused by Rhynchosporium secalis Davis, is an important fungal foliar disease of barley which can cause significant losses of yield and quality in western Canada. Scald can be controlled by fungicides and/or cultural methods, however, the use of genetic resistance is most desirable control strategy. The objectives of this study were to evaluate scald resistance in two New Zealand barley genotypes; to study the inheritance of that resistance and to test its novelty relative to a number of existing resistance sources available to Canadian breeding programs. New Zealand genotypes 145L2 and 4176/n, which showed scald resistance in NZ nurseries and in Alberta scald screening nurseries in 1998, were evaluated in 1999 and 2000 Alberta nurseries. To determine the genetic control of resistance, these resistant lines were each crossed with scald susceptible CDC McGwire; and resistant versus susceptible progeny ratios from F2 populations and F5 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were tested for chi-square goodness of fit for one or two gene control. To determine the source of the resistance, ‘known’ H. vulgare parents of these NZ lines were evaluated in the Alberta scald nurseries. In addition, 145L2 was crossed with 4176/n and four local resistant lines to determine allelic relationships between ‘145L2’ resistance and the resistance in the local lines. In 1999 and 2000, both NZ lines expressed good scald resistance. Inheritance studies indicated that resistance in both NZ lines is governed by a single dominant gene. ‘145L2’ resistance is different from resistance in 4176/n and the other barley lines tested. All ‘known’ progenitors of these lines were susceptible suggesting that resistance is a result of mutation and/or introgression(s) from what is described as an ‘unknown’ parent in their pedigrees. The NZ lines provide new sources of scald resistance that can be incorporated into local breeding lines