| Popis: |
Five grain processing alternatives were compared for corn and grain sorghum in feedlots of 5000 and 20,000 head capacity. Cattle growth responses for each processed grain were obtained from the published literature and 1980 energy and economic grain processing budgets were obtained from feedlots and commercial mill construction firms. Net value per t of processed grain dry matter ranged from $7.71 to a negative $9.35 for 5000 head feedlots, and from $9.33 to a negative $8.50 for 20,000 head feedlots. Processing energy cost per t of grain dry matter for a 20,000 head feedlot was $0.08, 2.96, 0.20, 0.11 and 0.33, respectively, for dry processed, steam flaked, reconstituted, early harvest-ground-ensiled and early harvest-acid treated grains. Comparable values for a 5000 head feedlot were $0.08, 4.25, 0.23, 0.13 and 0.46 per t. Reconstitution appeared to represent the most favorable processing alternative for either grain or size of feedlot combination. Energy balance data indicated that for each MJ of energy applied to processing, 3.5, 32.6, 23.3 or 2.1 MJ of empty body energy were recovered in cattle fed reconstituted, early harvest-ground-ensiled, steam flaked or early harvest-acid treated corn, respectively. Energy balance was more favorable for grain sorghum that corn. Interest cost on grain in storage greatly detracted from the economic value of the early harvested systems and would need to be offset by alternative purchasing systems and/or purchase of grain at harvest when prices are usually lower. |
