Most research with corn indicates a substantial benefit to providing rumen-degradable protein in diets containing corn. Backgrounding or finishing diets containing high levels of corn require supplemental rumen-degradable protein in the form of nonprotein nitrogen urea or biuret ; natural protein sources such as sunflower meal, canola meal or soybean meal; or a combination of nonprotein nitrogen and natural protein.
Like all cereal grains, corn is low in calcium and relatively high in phosphorus Table 2. Diets containing high levels of corn should include a supplemental calcium source, such as limestone, to prevent urinary calculi. The recommended calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in backgrounding and feedlot diets is a minimum of 2-to-1 two parts calcium to one part phosphorus.
Table 3 lists the nutrient content of corn harvested, stored or processed by different methods. In general, different harvest, storage and processing conditions do not result in large differences in nutrient content. The advantages and disadvantages of the different harvest, storage and processing methods are discussed in detail later in this publication. Corn can be used in many different types of backgrounding and finishing diets, and it can serve as a supplement in forage-based diets for beef cows.
However, corn is relatively low in protein and high in starch, which can affect forage utilization negatively, especially in diets based on lower-quality forages. Consequently, corn grain should be used in forage-based diets at relatively low levels less than 0. When corn is used as a forage supplement, ensuring adequate rumen-degradable protein is available is important to prevent any depressions in forage digestibility.
Corn can serve as the sole grain source in backgrounding and finishing diets. Depending on desired cattle performance, the level of corn can be varied to supply additional energy in the diet of growing and finishing cattle. Even though corn can be fed whole with satisfactory results, cracking or rolling prior to feeding will increase digestibility by 5 to 10 percent. In most instances, grinding or rolling corn will not markedly improve average daily gain, but proper processing will improve feed conversion efficiency.
As the proportion of corn in the diet and the cost of corn increase, the benefits of processing also increase because corn is supplying a greater portion of the energy.
When corn is fed whole, the animal must process the corn by mastication chewing. Rolling or cracking corn for use in a mixed ration may facilitate better mixing. Figure 1 shows the relative rates of fermentation for various corn processing methods.
Fine grinding corn should be avoided in beef cattle diets because fine-ground corn ferments quickly in the rumen. When feeding high levels of finely ground corn, digestive disturbances, acidosis and founder can occur. Most research with light test weight corn indicates that it has similar feeding value to higher test weight grain. Data from the University of Nebraska indicate light test weight corn 46 to 48 pounds per bushel has similar feeding value as normal test weight corn 55 to 56 pounds per bushel.
When the kernel heats up in the microwave, air popper or on the stove, the water expands until the kernel bursts open to create a light, delicious snack. Some varieties of corn are developed and grown for very specific purposes.
Specialty corn is often grown with the specific end use in mind, with farmers contracting with buyers in advance of planting the crop. White corn features a harder than normal starch is used in corn chips, tortillas and other popular food products.
Nebraska is one of the top producers of white corn in the United States, with farmers here growing white corn for food and other companies across the country and even some foreign countries.
Some types of corn have been designed to include high levels of starch. This high-starch corn is perfect for ethanol production because ethanol is made from the starch, leaving the other parts of the kernel for distillers grains, a nutrient-rich feed for livestock. Still other corn is bred to have high amounts of oil in its kernels.
This high-oil corn is great for certain types of food processing or animal feed. Waxy corn is used to thicken foods and make adhesives, while high-lysine corn provides valuable nutrients to certain types of animals, like pigs.
It has been carefully cleaned to minimize foreign material and dust. This product is not intended to be fed to horses as the sole ration, due to the risk of colic, laminitis and upsetting the balance of the total ration. We recommend feeding one of our nutritionally-balanced horse feeds to horses. For your safety, and that of your animals, always read and follow label directions and caution statements. Proper nutrition from Southern States will help you get more out of your herd.
While most cattlemen spend a great deal of time and effort on herd nutr Interested in trying your hand at raising small livestock? Requiring less land than their bovine counterparts, goats are a great option for the aspiri Feed represents the single largest cost in all types of sheep and goat production. This is because nutrition exerts a very large influence on flock re
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