Grain Processing: Particle Size Reduction Methods

INTRODUCTION Cereal grains generally are the primary source of energy in feedlot diets. Availability of energy from the grain depends largely on the type of grain used as well processing of that grain (Owens et al., 1997). A variety of grain processing techniques are used including grinding, steam flaking, and compiling high moisture corn to ferment. Each processing method differs in its nutritional efficacy (Owens et al., 1997) and each has a unique associated cost (Macken et al., 2006). For grain processing to be effective, a positive balance between processing equipment and maintenance costs, labor availability and skill level, energy efficiency, cattle management practices, and cattle performance must be achieved.