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Comments by: James I. Sprague, Consulting Nutritionist Improved Performance of Cattle Needs New hybrid corn varieties may have properties that cattle feeders like. Some of these factors are already in some of the hybrid numbers. Here are examples of traits that may be important to cattle feeders:
Other industries are also interested in speciality corn varieties. For example, according to Dr. Steve Soderlund, of Pioneer Hi-bred International Inc., several of the food manufacturers are specifying specific varieties for their processing characteristics, such as making corn chips. The starch and corn sweetener industries are beginning to identify and specify certain quality factors such as high extractable starch in the make-up of the grain that they use. Yield Per Acre Still King According to Soderlund, the challenge for the corn genetic companies is to develop new specialty varieties with equal or nearly equal yield to the standard varieties. He reports considerable progress of getting new traits combined with yield and other agronomic traits, such as standability, herbicide and insect resistance. Dry Processing of Cattle Feeds According to Soderlund, Pioneer is characterizing its hybrids for nutritional composition, physical characteristics and digestibility in order to help livestock producers identify those hybrids that may have superior feeding value. It is easy to speculate that this may assist cattle feeders eventually to be able to get increased feed efficiency without the need for steam flaking. Some hybrids may have better properties for whole corn feeding systems while others may have better properties for high moisture or steam flaked operations, in my opinion. Price for the Value For example, a corn farmer who plants a high oil variety will have their resources put into a higher value product. The feeding value may be five percent higher or more for the high oil corn. Then the resultant increased energy will offset any reduced yield. The goal of the corn genetic companies will continue to make the yield high enough to attract the use of the new specialty varieties. A Reliable Supply is a Challenge for Cattle Feeders Even if a cattle feeder can determine if a specific hybrid number that will be a superior corn for their needs, obtaining a supply may prove to be a challenge. Pioneer recognizes this challenge and has recently announced the formation of a new division in the company called Pioneer Quality Crop Systems to assist feeders in the development of identifying preserved contracting systems. A cattle feeder who also farms may wish to plant a particular variety for his operation. This may be for an agronomic trait such as slow dry down for his high moisture corn harvest. Or in another case, a feeder may desire a fast dry down variety with superior milling qualities for increased cattle performance. Special Milo, Wheat and Barley for Cattle Feeding There is considerable evidence to demonstrate that certain milo varieties are more digestible for cattle depending on their starch type. Also specific barley varieties are reported to have super milling qualities and feeding value. In the case of wheat, high protein wheat is nice for grow rations, but is not needed for finish rations. © |
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