Feeding Value of Light Test Weight Corn

Producing corn in the Northern Plains can often be challenging. Weather variability and environmental stress can derail the best laid plans. Whether due to planting delays, cooler than normal growing season, or unexpectedly early frost, stress factors sometimes result in crops that do not meet standard test weight requirements. How does reduced test weight affect the feeding value of corn and cattle performance?

 

On the surface it would seem logical that lowered test weight would mean that the feed is less valuable. Lower test weight means that there are fewer pounds of grain in a given volume. So it stands to reason that reduced bulk density also means poorer cattle performance and efficiency.

 

However, based on results from a metabolism trial using cattle, researchers from South Dakota State University estimated that corn with a test weight of 41 pounds actually had net energy values 15% greater than 54-pound test weight corn. The lighter corn had energy values that were more comparable to expected values of high-moisture or steam-flaked corn.

 

Researchers at NDSU compared feeding light-weight corn to both growing and finishing cattle. They observed that feeding increasing amounts of light-weight corn (39-pound test weight) and improved feed efficiency in growing cattle while maintaining similar ADG and final bodyweight. With finishing cattle, steers fed 54, 47, or 39 pound test weight corn had similar ADG (4.74, 4.74, and 4.72 pounds per day), but poorer feed efficiency with reduced test weights, (5.35, 5.55, and 5.83 F:G, respectively). These researchers speculated that feeding very light-weight corn in a higher roughage grower diet had less of a negative impact on fiber digestibility which supported improved feed efficiency.

 

How can cattle feeders use that knowledge? For cattle feeders that also grow corn, this may represent an opportunity to capture more value from the corn crop. Typically, there is a discount in the marketplace for lower test weight corn. Selling normal corn at full-value and feeding lighter test weight corn for cattle feed would avoid or at least reduce the impact of any test weight discounts in the corn market. For cattle feeders that buy corn, purchasing light-weight corn at a reduced price compared to standard U.S. No. 2 corn offers an opportunity to reduce cost of gain and improve returns. For either group of cattle feeders, this could represent a chance to exploit price differences in feedstuffs without compromising cattle performance.

 

Other considerations to keep in mind:

Be aware that growing conditions that result in reduced test-weight are often favorable for mold or mycotoxin production as well.

 

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While the management of manure can be very demanding and expensive for swine operations, it can also be viewed as an opportunity for GHG mitigation, as manure storage is an emission source built and managed by swine producers. Moreover, the majority of CH4 emissions from manure occur during a short period of time in the summer, which can potentially be mitigated with targeted intervention.

In tandem with understanding baseline emissions, Dr. Rajagopal's work focuses on evaluating emission mitigation options. Manure additives have the potential of reducing manure methane emissions. Additives can be deployed relatively quickly, enabling near-term emission reductions while biodigesters are being built. Furthermore, additives can be a long-term solution at farms where biogas is not feasible (e.g., when it’s too far from a central digester). Similarly, after biodigestion, additives can also be used to further reduce emissions from storage to minimize the carbon intensity of the bioenergy.