Utilize Low-Cost, Low-Quality Grains For Hog Producers
ALLENTOWN (Lehlgh'Ca)—
Any factor that can damage grain
or stress the plant can have a detri
mental effect on grain quality. For
example, during the summer of
1988, which happened to be an
extremely dry year, many labor
atories observed an increase in the
incidence of mycotoxin contami
nation. Most of the mycotoxin
problems were due to aflatoxin, a
mycotoxin produced by a mold
that thrives in hot dry climates. But
excessively wet weather, especial
ly near harvest time, can also lead
to mold growth and the production
of other mycotoxins. Ken Kephart,
Penn State Extension Swine Spe
cialist, offers the following brief
summary of problems that swine
producers may encounter with
grains that have been damaged,
diseased or subjected to mold
growth.
LOW TEST-WEIGHT GRAINS
A potential result of dry grow
ing conditions is a low test weight
(low bushel weight) for grain.
While low test-weight grains often
have normal or higher protein con
tents, they're usually lower in
energy. When feeding low-test
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grains, studies at Kansas State
University and the University of
Kentucky show that growth rate is
not affected, but pigs have to con
sume more feed, so feed efficiency
drops (usually five to seven
percent).
It’s also possible that drought
stress may have no effect on test
weight or hog performance, even
though the effects on com crop
yield are dramatic, studies at the
University of Kentucky show.
Two drought stressed varieties of
rom there following the drought of
’B3 had normal bushel weights and
righer than normal protein. The
Irought-stressed com supported
performance that was slightly
iuperior to that of normal com.
When feeding suspect grains,
;heck bushel weights and protein
contents. If these two values are
normal, hog performance should
not change.
SPROUTED GRAINS
The protein level in sprouted
grains is usually similar to that of
undamaged grains. But the energy
content and bushel weights are
usually less, which should depress
feed efficiency. However,
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researchers from Canada feeding
sprouted (seven to 19 percent) and
frost-damaged (75 percent) barley
to pigs found that growth rate and
feed conversion were normal.
Reports from the University of
Missouri and Texas Tech Univer
sity show that sprouted milo (17 to
28 percent) had no detrimental
effect on performance.
None of the experiments
reported above had mold problems
in their sprouted grains. But pro
ducers should be aware that
sprouted grains can be moldy.
MOLDS AND MYCOTOXINS
Warm and wet conditions can
lead to fusarium molds (also called
scab in small grains) which pro
duce zearalenone, vomitoxin and
T-2. This type of mold can also
occur when grains ate neglected or
abused during storage. With a
lengthy storage time, there’s often
more opportunity for insect
growth, bin condensation, and
damaged kernels (from shuffling
:om from one location to another).
Aspergillus, a type of mold that
■hrives in hot dry weather, is the
me that producers aflatoxin.
Moisture levels of 18 to 20 percent
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n com are ideal for Aspergillus
growth. Normally, aflatoxin is
nost prevalent in the Southeast but
vas more widespread following
he 1988 growing season.
Still another mold that can be
especially troublesome in small
pains is Claviceps. This type of
nold produces ergot and is found
nost often in rye, but is common in
he other small grains during per
ods of excessive rainfall. Ergot is
haracterized by abnormally small
:emels.
Com smut, like Aspergillus, is
nore common during dry weather
nd temperatures between 80 and
*5 degrees F. Smut occurs most
often when the com plant is sub
jected to insect injury, or if the
com variety has exposed ear tips.
Some grains that would be con
sidered unacceptable to the flour
industry may be a bargain for the
hog producer. But others that look
and smell fine could spell disaster.
Here are some rough guidelines.
Sprouted grains. If you can be
certain that no molds are present
(and that’s a big if), hog perfor
mance on the sprouted grains
should be similar to that of normal
grain. For the buyer, a 25 to 30 per
cent deduction from the standard
bushel price would be reasonable.
If mold is present, the grain may be
worth nothing for hog production.
Low test-weight grains. These
Maryland Gov. Schaefer
Announces $960,000
For Farm Preservation
FOR FARM LAND
PRESERVATION
ANNAPOLIS, MD Gover
nor William Donald Schaefer has
announced Board of Public Works
approval of $960,000 for Mary
land’s agricultural preservation
easements in four parcels of land
totaling more than 969 acres in
Queen Anne’s County.
Chaired by the governor, the
Board of Public Works also is
comprised of Comptroller Louis L.
Goldstein and Treasurer Lucille
Maurer. The board is authorized
by the General Assembly to
approve major consultant and con
struction contracts, equipment
purchases, property transactions,
and other procurement actions.
“The purchase of this land is
part of Maryland’s continuing
commitment to preserve agricul
tural land,” Governor Schaefer
said.
The Maryland Agricultural
Land Preservation Foundation was
created in 1977 to preserve agri
cultural land and woodland in
order to provide sources of agricul
ture products within the state for its
citizens, to control urban expan
sion and provide open space land.
BREAKING MIIX RECORDS!
Lancaster Farming Carries
DHIA Reports Each Monthl
timing, Saturday, July 29,1989-Al9
incaster
grains will depress feed conver
sion. Again, if you’re buying, a
discount of 25 to 30 percent should
be, fair. Be sure, expecially with
small grains, that the low-test
weight is not due to mold.
Scab- and ergot-contaminated
grains. Avoid them if possible. If
there is no alternative, feed these
grains only to the grower and
finisher pigs. Incorporate into the
formula at a rate of 250 pounds per
ton, and increase gradually only if
hogs are eating and growing well.
Any grain known to contain a
harmful level of mycotoxins
should be discounted by at least 50
percent
Hot and dry weather, and warm
md wet weather can lead to mold
jrowth'in grains. If test weights
md protein' levels from grains
jrown under these conditions are
tormal, then the grain may be
)kay. If a chemical test shows the
trains are negative for mycoto
dns, then it’s even a safer bet that
he grain is usable. But you can
lever be sure until you feed it. If
'ou see any of the following symp
oms in your pigs, be suspicious of
nycotoxin poisoning.
•Feed refusal.
•Swollen vulvas.
•Prolapsed rectums.
•Convulsions.
•Death.
•General reduction in'
erformance.
Entry into the program requires
the establishment of agricultural
preservation districts. Landowners
sign a voluntary district agreement
which restricts the use of their land
to agriculture. Once in a district a
landowner may apply to sell a per
manent development rights ease
ment to the foundation.
To date, Maryland has recorded
I, 1 95 agricultural preservation
districts totaling in excess of
170,000 acres. The state has se
cured perpetual easements on
more than 78,000 of these acres,
the highest amount of protected
agricultural acreage in any state.
The state has secured perpetual
easements on more than 78,000 of
these acres, the highest amount of
protected agricultural acreage in
any state. Purchases in Queen
Anne’s County are to be made
from:
Lawrence E. Ewing Jr. and Mur
iel E. Ewing - 359.33 acres.
Herbert A. Willis and Chester
town Bank of Maryland - 226
acres.
Jabez F. and Betty A. Brown -
167 acres.
Mary C. Whitby - 216.763
acres.