016—iMcutcr Farming, Saturday* February 9, 1960 Economics, management should rule high moisture com feeding LANCASTER Hog pro ducers who consider feeding high moisture corn should base their decisions on economics and manage ment, rather than on nutri tion. “Rate of gain and feed effi ciency are similar on high moisture and dry corn says J.C. Russett “So, the economics of alternative feeding programs and the producer’s ability to manage high moisture corn feeding and more important factors to consider when making a decision about high moisture com,” the swine specialist says. Economics generally favor wet over dry com, since drying costs are eliminated with high moisture com. Wet com can be harvested sooner, minimizing field losses and permitting fall plowing. And, harvesting high moisture com cuts down handling time, since the grain can be harvested and loaded into storage without delay for drying. “High moisture com does pose some additional management considera tions, one of the most impor tant of which is spoilage,” Russettsays. Since wet com is high m moisture, it’s more suscepti ble to mold damage when ex posed to oxygen, especially in warm weather. As a Berks get rid LEESPORT - Mark S. Balthaser, chairman of the Berks County Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Committee, announced that funds have been made available for multiflora rose control under the 1980 Agricultural Conservation Program, in Berks County. Although funds for all other ACP practices have been allocated, farmers may make a request in case result, high moisture com must be stored in an oxygen limiting structure and feed must be mixed daily or on alternate days to prevent spoilage before consump tion. “Propionic or other organic adds can be added to high moisture com to delay spoilage and prevent germination and mold growth,” Russett says. University researchers recommend treatment of wet com with 1.2 to 1.5 per cent add before storing to allow storage in most con ventional structures. Treating a mixed ration containing high moisture com with two ounces of add per bushel or about four lbs. (two quarts) per ton of feed will delay mold formation from 7 to 14 days. By acid-treating high moisture com, bog pro ducers can take advantage of existing storage facilities, the research points out However, according to university reports, when storing wet com for more than nine months, drying is a less expensive alternative. Russett, of Master Mix Swine division, cautions pro ducers against feeding acid treated wet com sooner than three weeks after storge, since hogs may find the feed unpalatable until the acid has time to disperse. He also warns that acids are corrosive to metals and Co. has funds to of multi-flora rose additional funds would become available or if someone cancels their practice. Balthaser points out, however, that should the practice be started before being notified of approval, the producers would not be eligible for the cost shares. For 1980 Miltiflora Rose Control ACP benefits are up to 50% of the cost of the chemicals, not to exceed an may reduce the life of storage bins and mixing equipment. Wet com feeding also re quires that special attention be paid to ration formula tion, Russett continues. “University researchers have observed reduced levels of Vitamin E in acid treated wet com, and lowered carotene content in untreated wet com,” he ex plains. ‘Feeders should be careful to choose concentrates that are Vitamin E and A for tified to meet the needs of hogs on high mositure com diets.” Producers who choose to feed high moisture com free choice with a concentrate should be aware that this feeding method increases feed required per pound of gain and increases the time needed to reach market weight. “Since wet com is highly palatable, pigs over consume com and neglect the concentrate, reducing the diet’s protein content,” Eussettsays. “Optimum pig per formance occurs when high moisture com is rolled or cracked and then mixed with a meal-type or crumbhzed concentrate,” he says, ex plaining that the com pro cessing prevents separation of feed ingredients. Diets mixed with whole wet com and pelleted concentrates amount specified by the county ASC committee. Special Tordon 10K or other training classes are no longer needed. All this is required is a regular ap plicators license which can be received after an open book test. Applications for cost share help from ASCS are being taken at the ASCS office in the Berks County Agricultural Center in Bern Township. will result in slightly lower performance. Moisture levels above 28 to 30 per cent also tend to reduce performance. The high water content increases the bulk of the ration, and reduces the amount of dry matter the pig can consume. For this reason, any wet com ration should be balanc ed on a dry matter basis. Because of the lower dry matter content in high moisture corn, overall nutrient density is less than with dry com. Since swine eat to satisfy energy re quirements, they will con sume more of a high moisture com diet As a result a lowered level of concentrate can be used with high moisture diets. “Exceptions to this are young pigs from weaning to 60 lbs. who do not have enough digestive tract capacity to increase intake on wet corn rations,” Russettsays. “Breeding herd diets need not be adjusted when using high moisture com. Since gestatmg and lactating sows are fed according to body condition and production demands, the energy level is not as critical as with growing-finishing rations. ’ ’
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