May 2, 2005

Study to reveal how kernal traits affect performance in swine, poultry

How do the kernel traits of corn in hog and poultry feed influence weight gain and performance? Researchers with Golden Harvest Seeds and Iowa State University are working to identify the link through a Golden Harvest-funded study that began in November 2004.

Historically, many livestock producers have preferred hard, higher test-weight corn. That thinking was challenged by a team of scientists from the University of Nebraska and Golden Harvest in a 2003 study of feedlot beef cattle performance. Results from that study showed that test weight was not a good indicator of animal performance.

The new study will examine the influence of corn kernel characteristics on swine, poultry broiler and poultry layer performance, says Wayne Fithian, Golden Harvest agronomy systems manager.

This feeding trial may reveal similarities to the beef cattle study or it could demonstrate a different but equally important set of kernel traits that can be used to predict the best hybrids for feeding swine and poultry.