Effects of dietary barley grain processed by organic acid on performance and digestibility in feedlot cattle

Thirty Holstein male calves with an initial Body Weight of 308±22 Kg and age approximately 10 month were used for 100 days in a complete randomized design with 3 treatments (rations) and 10 replicates in each treatment. Rations were: 1) Control (with rolled barley treated with water), 2) rolled barley treated with 1% citric acid, and 3) rolled barley treated with 0.5% lactic acid. All of data were analyzed with SAS software using PROC GLM and PROC MIXED. The performance traits, total tract digestibility, blood parameters and fecal pH were determined. Final body weight, average daily gains and feed intake to gain ratio of calves were affected significantly (P<0.05). Dry matter intakes were not different among treatments. Total tract digestibility of DM, OM, CP and NDF were affected significantly (P<0.05). Also, fecal pH was not different between treatments. Barley treated with organic acid increased plasma glucose and decreased plasma cholesterol of calves. While the amount of plasma urea, triglyceride, total protein and albumin of calves were not significantly different among treatments. It is concluded that treating rolled barley grain with lactic and citric acid could improve feedlot performance and digestibility of nutrients in Holstein male calves.