Effects of Different Corn Processing Methods and Urea Sources on Ruminal Digestion and In Vitro Degradation

This study aimed to assess the impact of different corn processing methods and urea sources on ruminal digestion. Four diets were compared: T1—ground corn with conventional urea; T2—ground corn with slow‐release urea; T3—rehydrated corn with conventional urea; and T4—rehydrated corn with slow‐release urea. Ruminal parameters, including pH, volatile fatty acid production, and ammonia nitrogen concentration, as well as cumulative gas production, ruminal fermentation kinetics, and dry matter degradability up to 96 h post‐incubation, were evaluated. Alatin square design with four treatments, four experimental periods, and two replicates (eight animals), resulting in two simultaneous Latin squares, was used for ruminal parameter assessment. Gas production and dry matter degradation were analyzed using a completely randomized design with four treatments and four replications using in vitro incubations. Diets with rehydrated corn showed higher propionate proportions compared to ground corn diets. Cumulative gas production did not differ significantly among treatments ( p < 0.05). Rehydrated corn diets (T3 and T4) showed greater dry matter degradability ( p < 0.05) in the first 24 h. A strong correlation between gas production and dry matter degradation was observed across all diets.