An evaluation of the micronization process for preparing cereals for the growing pig. 1. Effects on digestibility and nitrogen retention

Abstract

SUMMARY1. In two experiments, each using three groups of six littermate castrated male pigs per group, the effects on cereal composition, apparent digestibility and nitrogen retention of micronizing barley and maize were studied.2. The process increased the dry matter (DM) content and in vitro starch availability and decreased the nitrogen content of both cereals. When maize was flaked (rolled) subsequent to the process the ether-extract content was markedly decreased.3. Nitrogen retention was not affected by the process but apparent digestibility of the DM, nitrogen and gross energy was improved. These effects were most marked when the process was followed by flaking, the improvements in such cases in digestible energy content over the unprocessed grain being 4·3% (P>0·05) for barley and 6·6% (P<0·05) for maize.4. Soaking the unprocessed and micronized and flaked cereals before feeding did not significantly affect the results.