Anticipated low test weight corn has been cleared for feeding to hogs, according to research at several universities.
Corn that has a low test weight appears to have the same feeding value for hogs as normal test weight corn, says Lee Johnston, University of Minnesota Extension Service animal scientist.
Johnston compared “normal” test weight corn of 57 lb./bu. with low test weights ranging from 47.5 to 49.5 lb./bu. in trials at the University's West Central Research and Outreach Center at Morris.
“There was no statistically significant difference in daily gain, feed intake or feed efficiency between normal and low test weight corn,” he says. Pigs went on trial averaging 77 lb. and ended at 229 lb.
At Michigan State University, researchers analyzed corn with test weights of 42 to 49 lb./bu. and found no difference in feeding value for hogs.
Similar results were seen in South Dakota trials on grow-finish pigs and in Canada with nursery pigs. In both cases, no negative or positive effects of feeding low test weight corn were found, reports Johnston.
If corn is not contaminated with mycotoxins or other quality problems, low test weight corn does not affect feeding value, he reports.
“Corn with test weights as low as 40 lb./bu. apparently supports pig performance as well as test weights of 56 to 59 lb./bu.,” says Johnston.