PSIX-38 Influence of quebracho (Schinopsis balansae) tannin extract fed at differing rates in a high-roughage diet on energy partitioning in beef steers

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate how quebracho tannin (QT; Schinopsis balansae) within a roughage-based diet affected energy partitioning of growing beef steers. Ruminant production is essential to meeting the protein requirements of an increasing global population. However, gaseous byproducts from ruminant production, such as methane (CH4), not only reduce energetic efficiency, it can also be detrimental to the environment. Feed-grade antibiotics have traditionally been utilized for improved feed efficiency; however, consumer perception has prompted the pursuit of natural rumen modulators. Condensed tannins are a potential alternative due to their capacity for enhancing protein efficiency and reducing CH4. In our study, a 4 x 8 Latin rectangle design utilizing four periods and 8 British crossbred steers (236 ± 16 kg) were used to determine the effects of QT fed at 0 (control), 1.5, 3, and 4.5% of DM, within a roughage-based ration. Following 12-d dietary adaptation, animals were relocated to open-circuit respiration calorimetry chambers fitted with metabolism stands for gas exchange measurements and collection of total feces and urine over 48 h. Data were analyzed using a random coefficients model with animal and period as random factors. Inclusion of QT had no effect on intake, fiber digestibility, or nitrogen retention (P > 0.10). Provision of QT increased fecal energy, resulting in reduced digestible energy (DE) (P < 0.01). Urinary energy was not different (P = 0.49) but gas energy decreased (P < 0.01) as QT inclusion increased. Metabolizable energy (ME) decreased linearly as QT increased (P < 0.01), but all treatments maintained a ME-to-DE ratio of 0.86. Heat energy decreased (P = 0.01) with increased QT rate; however, there was no difference in retained energy. Although QT reduced gas and heat energy, this could not compensate for the reduction in digestible energy, leading to decreased energetic efficiency with QT inclusion.

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Effect of dietary electrolyte balance on metabolic rate and energy balance in pigs

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800052462 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 74 (2) ◽

pp. 299-305 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Y. Dersjant-Li ◽

J. W. Schrama ◽

M. J. W. Heetkamp ◽

J. A. J. Verreth ◽

M. W. A. Verstegen

Keyword(s):

Heat Production ◽

Energy Requirement ◽

Nitrogen Retention ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Light Period ◽

Total Heat ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Electrolyte Balance ◽

Adaptation Period ◽

Significance Level

AbstractThe effect of two dietary electrolyte balance (dEB, Na+ + K+ – Cl-) levels (–135 and 145 mEq/kg diet) on heat production, energy and nitrogen retention in piglets was assessed. The experiment consisted of a 13-day adaptation period and a 7-day balance period in two open-circuit climate respiration chambers. Nine groups of three (4 weeks old) crossbred barrows were assigned to one of two diets (five and four groups for –135 and 145 mEq/kg dEB diets respectively). During the balance period, diets were provided at 2·3 times the energy requirement for maintenance in two equal meals daily. Total heat production for each group was determined every 9 minutes from the exchange of CO2 and O2. Faeces and urine mixture was quantitatively collected during the balance period to measure energy and nitrogen balance. Total heat production and metabolizable energy costs for maintenance tended (P 0·10) to be higher in the 145 mEq/kg dEB group (681 and 443 kJ/kg0·75 per day respectively) than in the –135 mEq/kg dEB group (660 and 412 kJ/kg0·75 per day respectively). Differences in total heat production between the two dEB groups mainly occurred in the daytime (light period), when significance level was P 0·01. The respiratory quotient and energy retention as fat were numerically (but not statistically significantly) lower in the 145 mEq/kg dEB group compared with –135 mEq/kg dEB. In conclusion, energy balances were similar for both treatments. However in the daytime (light period), piglets needed more energy for maintenance after ingesting a diet with a dEB level of 145 mEq/kg compared to a diet with a dEB level of –135 mEq/kg at a restricted feeding level.

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Energy values in pig nutrition:I. The relationship between digestible energy, metabolizable energy and total digestible nutrient values of a range of feedstuffs

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600071823 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 84 (1) ◽

pp. 7-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

D. J. Morgan ◽

D. J. A. Cole ◽

D. Lewis

Keyword(s):

Protein Content ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Nitrogen Retention ◽

Growing Pigs ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Variable Effect ◽

Digestible Energy ◽

Maximum Change ◽

The Relationship ◽

Total Digestible Nutrient

SUMMARYNineteen feedstuffs were evaluated for total digestible nutrients (TDN), digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) using growing pigs. DE values, on a drymatter basis, ranged from 1570 kcal/kg D.M. (grassmeal) to 4890 kcal/kg D.M. (BP Grangemouth protein). ME averaged 97·4% of DE for cereal feeds and 81·9% of DE for protein feeds, the ratio of DE to ME being significantly affected by the crudeprotein content of the feedstuff:ME/DE × 100 = 99·7–0·18 × crude protein (%): r = –0·94; P < 0·01.TDN was more closely related to ME than DE:DE (kcal/kg D.M.) = 45 TDN + 156: r = 0·92; P < 0·01,ME (kcal/kg D.M.) = 43 TDN + 71: r = 0·98; P < 0·01.ME values were corrected to both 30% and 0% nitrogen retention. Correction to 30% retention caused a maximum change of 3% in ME value while correction to 0% retention had a variable effect related to protein content of the feedstuff:(ME(N0)/ME) × 100 = 98·3–0·113 × crude protein (%): r = –0·80; P < 0·01.

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The efficiency of utilization of energy and nitrogen in young sambar (Cervus unicolor) and red deer (Cervus elaphus)

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859697005133 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 130 (2) ◽

pp. 193-198

Author(s):

G. SEMIADI ◽

C. W. HOLMES ◽

T. N. BARRY ◽

P. D. MUIR

Keyword(s):

Heat Production ◽

Cervus Elaphus ◽

Red Deer ◽

Nitrogen Retention ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Total N ◽

Sambar Deer ◽

Pelleted Diet

Two experiments each with two rates of feeding (maintenance and twice maintenance) were conducted during summer 1993/94 (Expt 1) and summer 1994/95 (Expt 2), at Massey University, New Zealand. Four sambar and four red deer, including stags and hinds aged 10–14 months, were used in each year. Animals were fed a pelleted diet (total N 30 g/kg DM; NDF 247 g/kg DM). Digestibility and nitrogen (N) balances were determined using deer metabolism cages, whilst methane production and heat production were determined using open circuit respiration calorimetry, with measurements made on each deer at both rates of feeding. Digestibility and metabolizability of energy were greater for sambar than for red deer in Expt 1 but not in Expt 2. Nitrogen retention, expressed as a proportion of N intake, was similar for sambar and red deer. Metabolizable energy required for maintenance (MEm) was 474 kJ kg W−0·75 d−1 for sambar deer and 567 kJ kg W−0·75 d−1 for red deer, whilst the efficiency of utilization of ME above maintenance (kg) was similar for sambar deer and red deer. These studies indicated that the sambar deer had lower rates of maintenance heat production than the red deer, which may explain the sambar's superior feed conversion measured in previous experiments. However, the two species utilized nitrogen with similar efficiency, when fed a high quality ration.

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Relationships between digestible energy and metabolizable energy in current feedlot diets1

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txz073 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 945-952 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kristin E Hales

Keyword(s):

Corn Oil ◽

Nutrient Balance ◽

Regression Equation ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Quadratic Term ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Digestible Energy ◽

First Derivative ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Relationship

Abstract It is commonplace that metabolizable energy (ME) is calculated from digestible energy (DE) as DE × 0.82. However, recent published literature suggests that the relationship between DE and ME is variable depending on the type of diet used, and is typically > 0.90 when high-concentrate diets are fed. Literature means were compiled from 23 respiration calorimetry studies where total fecal and urine collections were conducted and gaseous energy was measured. The relationship between experimentally observed and predicted ME (DE × 0.82) was evaluated using these previously reported treatment means. Additionally, a previously published linear regression equation for predicting ME from DE was also evaluated using a residual analysis. Published (Hales, K. E., A. P. Foote, T. M. Brown-Brandl, and H. C. Freetly. 2017. The effects of feeding increasing concentrations of corn oil on energy metabolism and nutrient balance in finishing beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. 95:939–948. doi:10.2527/jas.2016.0902 and Hemphill, C. N., T. A. Wickersham, J. E. Sawyer, T. M. Brown-Brandl, H. C. Freetly, and K. E. Hales. 2018. Effects of feeding monensin to bred heifers fed in a drylot on nutrient and energy balance. J. Anim. Sci. 96:1171–1180. doi:10.1093/jas/skx030) and unpublished data (K. E. Hales, unpublished data) were used to develop a new equation for estimating ME from DE (megacalories/kilogram [Mcal/kg] of DM; ME = −0.057 ± 0.022 DE2 + 1.3764 ± 0.1197 DE – 0.9483 ± 0.1605; r2 = 0.9671, root mean square error = 0.12; P < 0.01 for intercept, P < 0.01 for linear term, and P < 0.01 for quadratic term). To establish a maximum biological threshold for the conversion of DE to ME, individual animal data were used (n = 234) to regress the ME:DE on DE concentration (1.53 to 3.79 Mcal DE/kg). When using experimentally derived data and solving for the first derivative, the maximum biological threshold for the conversion of DE to ME was 3.65 Mcal DE/kg. Additionally, the quadratic regression (equation 1) was used to predict ME from a wide range of DE (1.8 to 4.6 Mcal/kg). The ME:DE ratio was then calculated by dividing predicted ME by DE. The maximum biological threshold for the conversion of DE to ME was estimated by solving for the first derivative and was 3.96 Mcal DE/kg. In conclusion, this review suggests that the relationship between DE and ME is not static, especially in high-concentrate diets. The equation presented here is an alternative that can be used for the calculation of ME from DE in current feedlot diets, but it is not recommended for use in high-forage diets. The maximization of ME in current diets, maximum biological threshold, occurs between 3.65 and 3.96 Mcal DE/kg in the diet, which based on these data is approximately 3.43 to 3.65 Mcal/kg of ME consumption.

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The effects of the forage-to-concentrate ratio on the conversion of digestible energy to metabolizable energy in growing beef steers

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa231 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (8) ◽

Author(s):

Amanda L Fuller ◽

Tryon A Wickersham ◽

Jason E Sawyer ◽

Harvey C Freetly ◽

Tami M Brown-Brandl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Loss ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Conversion Factor ◽

Latin Square ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Total N ◽

Digestible Energy

Abstract Metabolizable energy (ME) is calculated from digestible energy (DE) using a constant conversion factor of 0.82. Methane and urine energy losses vary across diets and dry matter intake (DMI), suggesting that a static conversion factor fails to describe the biology. To quantify the effects of the forage-to-concentrate ratio (F:C) on the efficiency of conversion of DE to ME, 10 Angus steers were used in a 5 × 5 replicated Latin square. Dry-rolled corn was included in experimental diets at 0%, 22.5%, 45.0%, 67.5%, and 83.8% on a dry matter (DM) basis, resulting in a high F:C (HF:C), intermediate F:C (IF:C), equal F:C (EF:C), low F:C (LF:C), and a very low F:C (VLF:C), respectively. Each experimental period consisted of a 23-d diet adaption followed by 5 d of total fecal and urine collections and a 24-h gas exchange collection. Contrasts were used to test the linear and quadratic effects of the F:C. There was a tendency (P = 0.06) for DMI to increase linearly as F:C decreased. As a result, gross energy intake (GEI) increased linearly (P = 0.04) as F:C decreased. Fecal energy loss expressed as Mcal/d (P = 0.02) or as a proportion of GEI (P < 0.01) decreased as F:C decreased, such that DE (Mcal/d and Mcal/kg) increased linearly (P < 0.01) as F:C decreased. As a proportion of GEI, urine energy decreased linearly (P = 0.03) as F:C decreased. Methane energy loss as a proportion of GEI responded quadratically (P < 0.01), increasing from HF:C to IF:C then decreasing thereafter. The efficiency of DE to ME conversion increased quadratically (P < 0.01) as F:C decreased, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92. Heat production (Mcal) increased linearly (P < 0.04) as F:C decreased but was not different as a proportion of GEI (P ≥ 0.22). As a proportion of GEI, retained energy responded quadratically (P = 0.03), decreasing from HF:C to IF:C and increasing thereafter. DM, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility increased linearly (P < 0.01) and starch digestibility decreased linearly (P < 0.01) as the F:C decreased. Total N retained tended to increase linearly as the proportion of concentrate increased in the diet (P = 0.09). In conclusion, the efficiency of conversion of DE to ME increased with decreasing F:C due to decreasing methane and urine energy loss. The relationship between DE and ME is not static, especially when differing F:C.

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ENERGY AND NITROGEN DIGESTIBILITY AND RETENTION BY PIGS AS INLUENCED BY DIET, SEX, BREEDING GROUP AND REPLICATE

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas70-094 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 50 (3) ◽

pp. 685-691 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

P. J. SKITSKO ◽

J. P. BOWLAND

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Nitrogen Retention ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Energy Requirements ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Average Weight ◽

Digestible Energy ◽

Breeding Group ◽

Diet Formulation ◽

Yorkshire Pigs

Apparent digestible energy (DE) and nitrogen (DN), metabolizable energy (ME) and nitrogen retention (NR) of high (HE) and low (LE) digestible energy diets were determined with Duroc × Yorkshire, Hampshire × Yorkshire and Yorkshire pigs at an average weight of 50 kg. The diets were formulated to contain similar ratios of crude protein, lysine, methionine and cystine and calcium to estimated DE. The coefficients of DE, ME and DN were higher (P < 0.01) for the HE diet than for the LE diet. A lower percentage (P < 0.05) of digestible N was retained on the HE than on the LE diet. Digestibility of N did not significantly influence NR. The results suggest that standard NR procedures overestimate the actual protein retained by pigs. ME was a relatively constant proportion (96.2%) of DE, suggesting that either DE or ME may be used with equal accuracy in describing energy requirements for swine. Sex and breeding group did not significantly affect DE, ME, DN, or NR. There was a diet × replicate interaction (P < 0.01) for DN. A lower intake of the LE diet was associated with a higher DN coefficient. The study suggests that DE, ME, and DN values may be used for diet formulation without need of correction for breed or sex.

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Effects of incremental changes in forage: concentrate ratio on plasma hormone and metabolite concentrations and products of rumen fermentation in fattening beef steers

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800054928 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 71 (1) ◽

pp. 93-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

C. L. Thorp ◽

A.R.G. Wylie ◽

R.W. J. Steen ◽

C. Shaw ◽

J. D. McEvoy

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Live Weight ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Plasma Metabolites ◽

Beef Steers ◽

Lower Efficiency ◽

The Mean ◽

Sampling Times

AbstractAs part of an investigation of factors responsible for a previously reported lower efficiency of carcass lean gain in steers offered grass silage diets, 16 Simmental × Friesian steers (515 (s.e. 6·4) kg) were offered perennial ryegrass silage ad libitum (C0) or silage plus rolled barley at 200 (C20), 400 (C40) or 600 (C60) g/kg total diet dry matter (DM). Barley-supplemented diets were intake-restricted to provide equal DM and metabolizable energy (ME) intakes to those offered C0. Eight steers were selected at random to determine the ME contents of the diets by open-circuit respiration calorimetry. The other eight steers were offered the same diets and were blood-sampled at 20- to 60-min intervals, for 10 h, to monitor changes in the concentrations of a number of nutritionally related plasma metabolites and hormones. Estimated ME intakes in these steers were 85·7, 83·1, 84·4 and 86·2 (s.e. 0·91) MJ/day from diets C0, C20, C40 and C60 respectively. Rumen-fistulated Hereford × Friesian steers provided 24-h rumen data for the same diets offered at equal amounts of ME per kg metabolic live weight.Mean 24-h plasma concentrations of insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were linearly and positively related (P < 0·01 and P < 0·001 respectively) and glucagon quadratically related (P < 0·05) to the proportion of barley in the diet. Plasma insulin increased after feeding on all diets but concentrations on diets C40 and C60 were significantly higher than those on C0 and C20 at all post-feeding sampling times up to 9 h after feeding. Plasma IGF-1 concentrations increased above pre-feeding levels following feeding of the higher barley diets (C40 and C60; P = 0·053) but remained unchanged in steers offered C0 and C20. Mean plasma concentrations of glucose were unaffected by diet but those of β-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) and urea were positively and negatively related respectively (both P < 0·001) to the proportion of barley in the diet. Plasma BOHB and urea concentrations also changed with time after feeding (P < 0·001). Amongst the rumen parameters measured (pH; ammonia and volatile fatty acid concentrations and proportions) only the mean 24-h concentrations and proportions of butyrate were positively related to the proportion of barley in the diet (P = 0·051 and P < 0·05 respectively). All rumen parameters were affected by time after feeding (acetate, P < 0·01; others, P < 0·001) but there was no interaction between treatment and time for any parameter.

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What is the digestibility and caloric value of different botanical parts in corn residue to cattle?1

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skz137 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (7) ◽

pp. 3056-3070 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Emily A Petzel ◽

Evan C Titgemeyer ◽

Alexander J Smart ◽

Kristin E Hales ◽

Andrew P Foote ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Nutrient Availability ◽

Heat Production ◽

Latin Square ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Net Energy ◽

Digestible Energy ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Corn Residue ◽

Completely Randomized Design

AbstractTwo experiments were conducted to measure rates of ruminal disappearance, and energy and nutrient availability and N balance among cows fed corn husks, leaves, or stalks. Ruminal disappearance was estimated after incubation of polyester bags containing husks, leaves or stalks in 2 separate ruminally cannulated cows in a completely randomized design. Organic matter (OM) that initially disappeared was greatest for stalks and least for husks and leaves (P < 0.01), but amounts of NDF that initially disappeared was greatest for husks, intermediate for stalks, and least for leaves (P < 0.01). Amounts of DM and OM that slowly disappeared were greatest in husks, intermediate in leaves, and least in stalks (P < 0.01). However, amounts of NDF that slowly disappeared were greatest in leaves, intermediate in husks, and least in stalks (P < 0.01). Rate of DM and OM disappearance was greater for leaves, intermediate for husks and least for stalks, but rate of NDF disappearance was greatest for stalks, intermediate for leaves, and least for husks (P < 0.01). Energy and nutrient availability in husks, leaves, or stalks were measured by feeding ruminally cannulated cows husk-, leaf-, or stalk-based diets in a replicated Latin square. Digestible energy lost as methane was less (P = 0.02) when cows were fed leaves in comparison to husks or stalks, and metabolizable energy (Mcal/kg DM) was greater (P = 0.03) when cows were fed husks and leaves compared with stalks. Heat production (Mcal/d) was not different (P = 0.74) between husks, leaves, or stalks; however, amounts of heat produced as a proportion of digestible energy intake were less (P = 0.05) among cows fed leaves in comparison to stalks or husks. Subsequently, there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for net energy available for maintenance from leaves (1.42 Mcal/kg DM) to be greater than stalks (0.91 Mcal/kg DM), and husks (1.30 Mcal/kg DM) were intermediate. Nitrogen balance was greater when cows were fed leaves, intermediate for husks, and least for stalks (P = 0.01). Total tract digestion of NDF was greater (P < 0.01) for husks and leaves compared with stalks. Husks had greater (P = 0.04) OM digestibility in comparison to stalks, and leaves were intermediate. Apparently, greater production of methane from husks in comparison to leaves limited amounts of energy available for maintenance from husks even though total-tract nutrient digestion was greatest when cows were fed husks or leaves.

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Developing Equations for Converting Digestible Energy to Metabolizable Energy for Korean Hanwoo Beef Cattle

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061696 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1696

Author(s):

Ridha Ibidhi ◽

Rajaraman Bharanidharan ◽

Jong-Geun Kim ◽

Woo-Hyeong Hong ◽

In-Sik Nam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Linear Regression ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Simple Linear Regression ◽

Male And Female ◽

Digestible Energy ◽

Wide Range

This study was performed to update and generate prediction equations for converting digestible energy (DE) to metabolizable energy (ME) for Korean Hanwoo beef cattle, taking into consideration the gender (male and female) and body weights (BW above and below 350 kg) of the animals. The data consisted of 141 measurements from respiratory chambers with a wide range of diets and energy intake levels. A simple linear regression of the overall unadjusted data suggested a strong relationship between the DE and ME (Mcal/kg DM): ME = 0.8722 × DE + 0.0016 (coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.946, root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.107, p < 0.001 for intercept and slope). Mixed-model regression analyses to adjust for the effects of the experiment from which the data were obtained similarly showed a strong linear relationship between the DE and ME (Mcal/kg of DM): ME = 0.9215 × DE − 0.1434 (R2 = 0.999, RMSE = 0.004, p < 0.001 for the intercept and slope). The DE was strongly related to the ME for both genders: ME = 0.8621 × DE + 0.0808 (R2 = 0.9600, RMSE = 0.083, p < 0.001 for the intercept and slope) and ME = 0.7785 × DE + 0.1546 (R2 = 0.971, RMSE = 0.070, p < 0.001 for the intercept and slope) for male and female Hanwoo cattle, respectively. By BW, the simple linear regression similarly showed a strong relationship between the DE and ME for Hanwoo above and below 350 kg BW: ME = 0.9833 × DE − 0.2760 (R2 = 0.991, RMSE = 0.055, p < 0.001 for the intercept and slope) and ME = 0.72975 × DE + 0.38744 (R2 = 0.913, RMSE = 0.100, p < 0.001 for the intercept and slope), respectively. A multiple regression using the DE and dietary factors as independent variables did not improve the accuracy of the ME prediction (ME = 1.149 × DE − 0.045 × crude protein + 0.011 × neutral detergent fibre − 0.027 × acid detergent fibre + 0.683).

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Nutritional evaluation of wheat 1. Effects of preparation on digestibility of dry matter, energy and nitrogen in pigs

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100022935 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 359-365 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

M. Ivan ◽

L. R. Giles ◽

A. R. Alimon ◽

D. J. Farrell

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Nitrogen Retention ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Whole Grain ◽

Whole Wheat ◽

Gross Energy ◽

Dietary Components ◽

Matter Energy ◽

Plot Design

SUMMARY1. A split-plot design was used to study apparent digestibility of dry matter, gross energy and nitrogen of a whole grain wheat diet and processed (hammermilled, rolled or hammermilled and then steam-pelleted) wheat diets by eight small (33·9 ± 0·1 kg) and eight large (70±1·7 kg) pigs. Metabolizable energy and nitrogen retention were also studied with the small pigs.2. The processed wheat diets were superior to the whole grain wheat diet in all the parameters measured.3. There were no significant differences between the performance of pigs given the differently processed wheat diets.4. Apparent digestibility of dietary components particularly in the whole wheat diet was significantly higher when diets were given to small pigs than when given to large pigs.

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