Effects of Processing on Feeding Value of Sprouted Barley and Sprouted Durum Wheat in Growing and Finishing Diets for Beef Cattle

Feeding values and effects of processing sprouted barley and durum wheat were evaluated in a growing (Exp. 1) and finishing study (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, 142 crossbred beef steers (328.1 ± 1.7 kg initial BW) were fed for 62 d. Treatments were dry-rolled corn; coarse-rolled, sprouted barley (2722 μm); fine-rolled, sprouted barley (1998 μm); whole, sprouted durum wheat (2628 μm); and coarse-rolled, sprouted durum wheat (2126 μm). Diets contained 39.5% grain. In Exp. 2, 141 crossbred beef steers (417.4 ±5.4 kg initial BW) were fed for 83 or 108 d. Treatments were dry-rolled corn; whole, sprouted barley (3438 μm); rolled, sprouted barley (2897 μm); whole, sprouted durum wheat (2628 μm); and rolled, sprouted durum wheat (2287 μm). Diets contained 77% grain. Sprouted durum diets contained 37% corn and 40% durum as the grain source. In Exp. 1, steers fed fine-rolled, sprouted barley had increased (P≤0.03) final BW and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) compared with steers fed coarse-rolled, sprouted barley. Steers fed rolled, sprouted durum had increased (P≤0.01) final BW, ADG, and G:F compared with steers fed whole, sprouted durum. In Exp. 2, steers fed rolled grains had increased (P≤0.001) final BW, ADG, and G:F compared with steers fed whole grains. Steers fed rolled corn and rolled, sprouted durum had similar (P≥0.11) final BW, ADG, and G:F and increased (P≤0.02) final BW, ADG, and G:F compared with steers fed whole, sprouted barley or durum. Processing sprouted barley and sprouted durum wheat increased performance of feedlot steers.