Cracked Corn Turkey Feed
Corn is included in cattle diets to increase the energy concentration of the diet. Nutritionally, starch is the most important component of corn. Mechanical processing of corn is often used to increase the extent of starch digestion in the rumen. Corn can be fed whole with excellent results, but cracking or rolling it will increase digestibility by 5-10%.Although this improvement in digestibility can be important, it may not be enough to pay for the cost of processing the grain. Also, the improvement in digestibility may not be seen equally across the different life stages, which may make processing an unnecessary expense.Processing corn will not typically improve average daily gain (ADG), but it will improve feed efficiency. In most cases, cattle fed processed grains usually have similar energy intakes and ADG while consuming less feed.
This reduction in intake could be due to excessive rates of acid production in the rumen and subclinical acidosis.Most experiments report that starch digestibility is greater for processed corn, compared to whole corn diets, have been conducted with yearling animals; in contrast, feedlot performance trials with weanling steers usually have failed to prove advantages for processing corn. In Table 1, Owens et al reviewed 164 feeding trials using processed and unprocessed corn. Feed conversion was improved by leaving the corn whole over dry rolling. The difference may be due to extent of chewing.
Chewing capacity is much greater for younger cattle (weanlings) than older cattle. Digestibility of whole corn is increased by extensive chewing of the diet because the cuticle will be disrupted and this allows ruminal bacteria access to the corn starch for fermentation (McAllister et al., 1994).lbs of feed/lb of gain a, b, c Means within a column with different superscripts differ (p.
Ruminants can definitely digest processed corn (cracked, ground, steamed) better than shelled corn. Just like some have already stated, the digestive system of cattle can't break down the shell. We feed a lot of cracked corn.
However, we have recently started feeding some ground ear corn. The cob serves as a good fiber source and the cattle seem to like the taste and texture.I think we have a tendency to over-complicate feeding show cattle in general. I always find it interesting when people brag about what a great show ration they have, but there is almost as much of the ingredients laying in the manure behind the cattle as there is in the food pan. There is hardly a better judge of feed rationing and digestive efficiency than a good ol' pile of manure. Ruminants can definitely digest processed corn (cracked, ground, steamed) better than shelled corn.
Just like some have already stated, the digestive system of cattle can't break down the shell. We feed a lot of cracked corn. However, we have recently started feeding some ground ear corn. The cob serves as a good fiber source and the cattle seem to like the taste and texture.I think we have a tendency to over-complicate feeding show cattle in general. I always find it interesting when people brag about what a great show ration they have, but there is almost as much of the ingredients laying in the manure behind the cattle as there is in the food pan.
There is hardly a better judge of feed rationing and digestive efficiency than a good ol' pile of manure. Many people need to pick up a phone and call a nutritionist. Same thing with all these foo foo supplements people ask about on here. Call and get an objective opinion.What you think you see in the manure, and the reality of what is left are not the same. Just because you are left with a shell/exoskeleton, doesn't mean the nutrients haven't been utilized.
There are many cost analysis of when to use whole versus cracked. Clearly, crimped is the best.
But how much more does it cost over cracked versus whole. How much more whole corn can I purchase/feed for the same dollar amount as cracked/crimped. I just googled feeding shelled corn and the top response was a study done by Ohio State comparing feeding shelled corn and processed corn.From the study: 'Dry processing (cracking, rolling) has only small effects on starch digestion. For long fed calves (greater than 170 days) feeding whole corn may result in better gains and efficiencies than feeding dry processed corn.' My dad sold Moorman's feed for 25 years. They had extensive research that showed how and why shelled corn was better for feedlot cattle on a high energy diet.
In the 70's and 80's we fed a lot of cattle a high moisture shelled corn/protein/limited roughage ration. There were some feedlot operators that included a plastic pellet in the ration to serve as the lone roughage source. The pellet was mixed right in with the corn and protein.That being said, I'm smarter than the experts, too, and very rarely feed whole shelled corn because I can't stand to see the 'leftover kernels.' Years ago, we used to run a few hogs in the feedlot to clean up the 'leftover.' It was a very common practice.Prior to the late 70's and 80's, we fed a ton of cattle high moisture ground ear corn. We set up a grinder right by several silos and filled them to the brim with the stuff. I agree that is the best feed ever invented.
Of course, that was before we were 'educated' by the experts and got rid of the ear corn picker and bought a combine. Ruminants can definitely digest processed corn (cracked, ground, steamed) better than shelled corn. Just like some have already stated, the digestive system of cattle can't break down the shell. We feed a lot of cracked corn. However, we have recently started feeding some ground ear corn.
Wild Turkey Food Attractant
The cob serves as a good fiber source and the cattle seem to like the taste and texture.I think we have a tendency to over-complicate feeding show cattle in general. I always find it interesting when people brag about what a great show ration they have, but there is almost as much of the ingredients laying in the manure behind the cattle as there is in the food pan. There is hardly a better judge of feed rationing and digestive efficiency than a good ol' pile of manure. I wasn't picking on you I hope that you don't think that & I agree with most of what you said & it does depend on the size of cattle that a person is feeding and if they are on full feed as to which type of corn in the ration is most efficient, my point is that without researching or testing PPL shouldn't make statement that may not be quite right. Now if your want to make your feedlot more efficient, feed whole shelled corn and buy a bunch of wet sows to glean the lot behind the cattle. Oh that was yesterday!!
I just googled feeding shelled corn and the top response was a study done by Ohio State comparing feeding shelled corn and processed corn.From the study: 'Dry processing (cracking, rolling) has only small effects on starch digestion. For long fed calves (greater than 170 days) feeding whole corn may result in better gains and efficiencies than feeding dry processed corn.' My dad sold Moorman's feed for 25 years. They had extensive research that showed how and why shelled corn was better for feedlot cattle on a high energy diet. In the 70's and 80's we fed a lot of cattle a high moisture shelled corn/protein/limited roughage ration. There were some feedlot operators that included a plastic pellet in the ration to serve as the lone roughage source. The pellet was mixed right in with the corn and protein.That being said, I'm smarter than the experts, too, and very rarely feed whole shelled corn because I can't stand to see the 'leftover kernels.'
Years ago, we used to run a few hogs in the feedlot to clean up the 'leftover.' It was a very common practice.
Cracked Corn Chicken Feed
I wasn't picking on you I hope that you don't think that & I agree with most of what you said & it does depend on the size of cattle that a person is feeding and if they are on full feed as to which type of corn in the ration is most efficient, my point is that without researching or testing PPL shouldn't make statement that may not be quite right. Now if your want to make your feedlot more efficient, feed whole shelled corn and buy a bunch of wet sows to glean the lot behind the cattle.
Oh that was yesterday!!