A feeding trial and digestibility study were conducted with pelleted whole barley and dry rolled barley, in all-concentrate rations, for fattening steers. Steers receiving pelleted whole barley gained 0.2 lb more per day than those receiving dry rolled barley, and required less feed per 100 lb gain (757 vs. 791 lb, respectively).The chromic oxide technique was used in the digestibility study, and no significant (P > 0.05) differences in apparent dry matter or energy digestibility were observed between the dry rolled and pelleted whole barley. Apparent digestible energy values for dry rolled and pelleted whole barley were 1.440 and 1.413 Mcal per lb, respectively.Rumen pH, at various times after feeding, was slightly lower in steers receiving pelleted whole barley than in steers receiving dry rolled barley. The lowest average pH values (6.0 and 6.3 for steers receiving the pelleted and dry rolled barley, respectively) were observed at 3 hours after feeding. In vitro microbial activity of rumen contents, as measured by change in gas pressure, was affected very little by the barley preparation prior to feeding.A second steer feeding trial was conducted with whole pelleted and dry rolled barley and oats. When the barley and oats were pelleted small increases in average weight gains were observed. Average feed per 100 lb gain was approximately 9.7% less for pelleted barley and 11.8% less for pelleted oats than for these grains when fed in the dry rolled form. The oats and barley used in this trial showed average bushel weights of 39 and 49 lb, respectively, and the feeding value of oats was 91.4% of the value of barley on the basis of average daily gains, and 94.9% on the basis of feed required per 100 lb gain.
