
	Parameters to be Recorded for Each day of Fecal Starch Study

	Item		Data to be recorded
		Date

		Feedlot

	Steam Chest Residence time

	Peg feeder setting

	Bushel weights (4)

	Pen Number sampled

Composite Fecal Sample day (1,2,3,4,5,)

	%processed grain in ration

	% high moisture corn in ration

	% alcohol by product in ration

	Cattle weight

	Days on feed

	Processing Method

	Finish ration composition

	NEG of ration

	Additives being fed (amt/hd./day)

	Feed intake

	Moisture content of ration (%)

	Other

	Other

	Procedure:


	Resonance time of grain in the steam chest for each flaker should be determined by the dye test.
	Food coloring should be injected into the top of the steam chest while noting the time.
	The time for the colored grain to appear at the peg feeder should be determined.
	Flake bushel weight measurements should be made for each flaker.
	Samples of the flakes should be taken each day of the fecal collection and labeled with the date,
	feedlot name, pen number, and collection period. Hot flakes should be allowed to
	air dry for ten minutes bagged and frozen. If multiple flakers are involved a composite sample
	should be made by sampling the flakes from each flaker. The flakes should be air dryed for 10 minutes.			ir dried for 10 minutes.
	A portion of the flakes from each flaker should be added to a bag.
	The composite sample should then be frozen and sent to SDK labs for starch availability analysis.

	Take 2 tablespoons of fecal material per stool. Sample 10 fresh stools per pen (early morning best).
	Avoid dirt. Place the composite of the 20 tablespoons in one container.
	Label the sample with the date, feedlot , pen number, collection period,
	and SarTemp or SarStart DSC level. Place the sample on ice and freeze as soon as possible.
	Repeat the procedure for five days. Ship the 5 frozen samples to the lab for % total
	starch analysis to SDK Labs, Hutchison, KS. Frozen samples should be packed with a frozen
	gel pack and shipped by next day service early in the week.
	This process should be repeated for a second 5 day period and the results of the two periods
	compared for variation. If the two sets of results are consistent proceed with the following steps.

	SarTemp or SarStart DSC should then be introduced to the ration. After a minimum of 5 days
	fecal sample collection from the same pen as above should be commenced for a 5 day period.
	A second 5 day collection period should be conducted and the frozen samples sent to the lab.

	Steam flow to the steam chest should now be minimized at the top of the chest and increased,
	as can be managed, through the ports in the lower portion of the chest. The temperature of the grain
	as it drops onto the roll should be as hot as possible. Any temperature reduction at this point
	will be detrimental to the final flake quality.

	The target for optimum flake density should be 24-25 lb./bu. If the bushel weight has been
	was very high (29-30lb/bu) the first step in lowering the flake density should be only
	to 26-27lb/bu. Digestive upset will most likely occur as the flake density is decreased.
	Management of the bunk etc. will be better accommodated if the
	increment of change is small. Two five day collection periods should be conducted
	after the flake density is lowered. A minimum of 5 days should elapse post density change
	prior to sample collection. If within 5 days the management is comfortable
	with the previous the ration change the flake density can again be lowered.
	The flake density should now be lowered to 24lb/bu. After a minimum of 5 days post flake density
	decrease fecal samples should be collected as above and sent to the lab for analysis.

	Comments: