Objectives:

1. Determine and characterize fibre components of barley grain and explore the potential for enhanced fermentation and E. coli bacteria adherence properties using enzyme supplementation and processing technologies.

2. Establish health and growth benefits of including barley without or with enzyme supplementation in feed rations to improve welfare of nursery pigs.

3. Understand barley feed grain and pig responses using enzyme supplementation and particle size reduction to develop higher efficiency barley feed.

4. Determine in piglets the potential anti-diarrheal effects of intact barley fibre, barley fibre enzyme hydrolysis products and processed barley fibre using the in situ and in vivo E. coli disease challenge models.