Many farmers mistakenly believe that feeding cows whole corn or bread will make them healthier. But this could actually make them sick. In fact, these foods can stuff a cow’s lungs and stomach, making them in pain. Cows have a mucus covering their entire stomach, so the food they eat will be absorbed in the stomach, but if it is missing, a cow will feel pain.
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Processed corn
In addition to being a convenient source of protein, processed corn for cows may improve feed efficiency. While consuming processed corn will not necessarily increase a cow’s average daily gain, it will make its feed more digestible and facilitate bunk management. Other benefits of processing corn for cows include improved feed mixability and enhanced starch utilization. Depending on processing quality, grain type, moisture content, flaking density, and ruminal pH, corn may improve feed efficiency in different ways. Here’s an overview of some benefits and drawbacks of processed corn for cows.
The cost of corn affects the level of processed corn in rations. It may be cheaper to buy whole corn for cattle, but corn in its natural state is still a valuable feed ingredient. But corn has to be processed prior to feeding to maximize its energy and protein content. For this, it must be crushed, cracked, or coarsely ground. Processed corn should be chosen based on the efficiencies and costs of processing.
Whole kernel corn
The results of a recent study in Ohio showed that feeding cows whole kernel corn did not alter the digestibility of fiber, protein, or dry matter. The authors also noted that whole kernel corn contained almost four times as much starch as ground corn, while fecal starch excretion was significantly increased. Moreover, whole kernel corn intake resulted in similar digestibility throughout the entire digestive tract, at 93%. This result is consistent with other Kansas research.
A single pound of whole-kernel corn can replace two pounds of hay for mature cows. While corn costs $4.50 a bushel, hay costs about $160 per ton. So, it is best to feed your cows half as much corn as they consume in hay. Although corn is high in energy, it contains very little protein, so supplementation is necessary. During pregnancy, a cow’s diet should contain at least one pound of forage per day, and a supplementary protein supplement.
Dry-rolled corn
The energy value of dry-rolled corn is higher than that of cracked and whole-shelled corn. The steam-flaking process increases the availability of starch and decreases the amount of non-starch organic matter. However, this method is not cost-effective for cattle feeders. In this study, researchers in Ohio compared two varieties of corn, crack and whole-shelled. Both yielded similar daily gains.
A 110-day trial using 80 medium-framed yearling crossbred heifers found that steam-rolled corn significantly reduced DMI, increased feed efficiency and improved dietary NEm and NEg, while reducing DMI and dietary protein. Additionally, it increased feed efficiency by 10%. The dietary NEg levels increased by 17% and were significantly higher than with rolled corn alone. Supplemental CSM decreased feed efficiency and DMI, and supplementary corn was added to the diet.
In a recent study, Zinn and colleagues investigated the effect of steam-flaking on energy availability and performance in feedlot cattle. They found that dry-rolled corn increased starch digestion and total tract absorption. Similarly, steam-flaked corn improved ruminal pH, but there were no major differences between the two treatments. The study also indicated that distillers grains may be less beneficial in corn-based feedlot diets.
Fine-ground corn
Some studies suggest that fine-ground corn can benefit cows. Ahmadi et al. examined the effect of various corn particle sizes on performance, ruminal characteristics, nutrient digestibility, and sorting index. The authors concluded that fine-ground corn is comparable to coarse-ground corn in terms of nutrient digestibility and milk production. The authors cited a number of studies supporting their findings. A few other studies also support fine-ground corn for cows as a suitable feed ingredient.
The particle size or micron of ground corn affects the cow’s ability to digest it. The smaller the particle size, the better, because the rumen bacteria will be able to digest it. In addition, a higher amount of fine-ground corn can cause digestive upset, acidosis, and founder. However, the most reliable method to measure grain particle size is through laboratory testing, but other methods such as hand-crank flour sifters and weighing can also be used to estimate the micron size of the grain.
