Feeding Young Calves Processed Starch Combined with an Amylolytic Enzyme

This study evaluated the extent o£ utilization of processed starch fed to young calves in combination with an amyloglucosidase.In the first experiment, three finely ground sorghum grain preparations ---control, steamed, or expanded (approximately 100% starch gelatinization)--were mixed with water and 6, 12 or 18 ml of Diazyme L 30 (Miles Chemical Co.) and fed by way of nipple pail.Blood glucose levels subsequent to feeding were the response criterion.When control or steamed grain and enzyme were fed, there were only slight changes from initial glucose levels.When expanded grain and any of the three levels of enzyme were fed, blood glucose significantly increased and was higher than initial levels for several hours.In two subsequent experiments, weight gains of calves fed milk replacers containing Diazyme and either expanded sorghum grain or pregelatinized starch were not significantly different from weight gains of calves fed milk replacers containing glucose.