Adjusting roller settings based on kernel size increased ruminal starch digestibility of dry-rolled barley grain in cattle

Abstract

Barley grain samples were dry-rolled using two different methods; multiple roller settings (MRS) vs. single roller setting (SRS). In the MRS method, samples were first separated through 4-, 6-, and 7-mm sieves and then dry-rolled with roller gap settings of 1.000, 1.194, and 1.487 mm, respectively. In the SRS method, samples were dry-rolled using a single roller gap setting of 1.194 mm. The MRS method increased in situ rate of starch disappearance (18.6 vs. 11.9% h-1; P < 0.01) compared with the SRS method. Screening to specific kernel sizes and adjusting roller settings accordingly could enhance the starch utilization of barley grain by ruminants.