Feeding grain whole to cattle generally results in a lower digestibility than that obtained with processed grain. If this problem could be overcome, feeding with whole grain would reduce processing costs, and the slower rate of starch digestion in the rumen could improve fibre digestion with potential beneficial effects on intake and animal production. Two strategies are available to increase t...

Traditional breeding for high-yielding rice has been dependent on the widespread use of fertilizers and the cultivation of gibberellin (GA)-deficient semi-dwarf varieties. The use of semi-dwarf plants facilitates high grain yield since these varieties possess high levels of lodging resistance, and thus could support the high grain weight. Although this approach has been successful in increasing...

Rice (Oryza sativa) grain shape, which is controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTL), has a strong effect on yield production and quality. However, the molecular basis for grain development remains largely unknown. In this study, we identified a novel QTL, Slender grain on chromosome 7 (SLG7), that is responsible for grain shape, using backcross introgression lines derived from 9311 and Azucen...

The carbohydrate contents of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is an important industrial factor for crystal sugar or bioethanol production. In this study the relationship between growth analysis and carbohydrate contents were studied to recognize the best growth stages for sweet sorghum harvesting. Five sweet sorghum cultivars and four sweet sorghum lines were evaluated for leaf area i...

Nearly half of the world cereal production comes from soils low or marginal in plant available zinc, leading to unsustainable and poor quality grain production. Therefore, the effects of nitrogen (N) rate and application time on zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) concentration in wheat grain were investigated. Wheat (Triticum aestivum var. Krabat) was grown in a growth chamber with 8 and 16 h of day and n...

The majority of ruminant livestock production occurs in temperate grasslands where animals are allowed to graze or are fed harvested forages (i.e., hays or silages). As a result, forages comprise 50 to 90% of total feed consumed by ruminants during their production cycle (Reid and Jung, 1982). In the U.S., beef cattle production is often viewed as an intensive enterprise because of finishing ca...

Production of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO(2)) from canola was studied in the laboratory and in commercial storage. Canola rapidly produced amounts of CO and CO(2) far exceeding those reported for dry cereal grain and dried peas and at levels dangerous to human health. In the laboratory, canola (5.8% m.c.) was stored in sealed flasks at 25, 35 and 45 degrees C for 12 weeks. Level...

The assessment of the need to include combined fodder with reduced amount grain in diet dairy cows by replacing it non-grain components (wheat bran, protected fat) is given. In scientific and economic experiment on 2 groups 12 heads each, influence 40% weight palatability feed, milk yield, composition, nutrients' digestion coefficients, biochemical blood level production profitability was studi...

In this study, we use the computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to examine welfare and growth effects of expanding grain-based fuel ethanol production in China. The results show that reasonable development of grain-based fuel ethanol will accelerate China’s economy, improve rural household income, and narrow the gap between the rich and the poor. However, expanding the production of grain-...