Animal Science, Department of
Date of this Version
1-1-1996
Abstract
When a corn growing season is not long or warm enough for corn to reach full maturity, the test weight can fall substantially below the standard. Currently the top market price is based on No. 2 corn, which in the U.S. is 54 lb per bu. Most grain dealers and beef feedlot operators will discount the corn price by increments as test weights fall below the standard U.S. No. 2, indicating that feed value is less. However. feeding trials over the years with light-test weight corn in poultry and swine diets and with grain sorghum fed to cattle have generally shown little difference in feed value from normal test-weight corn or milo when compared on an equal weight basis. There is little research data on the feed value of lightest weight corn for growing or finishing cattle. Because of early frost and a cool growing season, light-test weight corn was available from the 1992 and 1993 corn crops in the Nebraska Panhandle. Consequently, feeding trials were conducted to compare the light-test weight corn to normal corn in two growing trials with steer calves fed a moderate level of grain. and during subsequent finishing trials when a high level of grain was fed.
Comments
Published in 1996 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report; published by Agricultural Research Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.