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.
Source: sdstate.edu
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dszc
Categories: South Dakota, Crops, Corn