Cereal grain processing aims to increase their nutritional value, making them more usable for pigs and poultry. Which in turn results in a reduction of feed volumes.
Processing methods can be separated into two large groups: “cold” and “heat”.
Cereals respond differently to processing conditions. Therefore, each cereal has special recommendations regarding the processing technique that best suits them.
Importance of processing
Cereal processing represents a significant tool for piglet diets. Piglets unlike newborn chicks do not possess the ability to properly digest starch. Weaned piglets between 21 and 28 days of age have a comparatively immature digestive system and their pancreatic α-amylase levels are deficient. The development of their full digestive capacity is reached at approximately 10 weeks of age.
Digestive problems in pigs are common during weaning, with one of the main causes being the incapacity to digest starch properly. Considering that cereals make up the biggest part of pig diets and that piglets lack high enzymatic activity, it is natural for these types of problems to occur.
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