Shelled Corn Diets for Calves

Cattle producers have long thought that whole-shelled corn is much less digestible than ground corn due to the presence of kernels in the feces of cattle fed whole-shelled corn, but recent studies have suggested otherwise. According to the Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia, whole corn diets can reduce the occurrence of liver abscesses that often happen when feeding cattle high-concentrate rations.

  1. Cost

    • Researchers have attempted to determine if the costs of feeding cattle processed corn as opposed to whole shelled corn is worthwhile. According to studies done at Oklahoma State University, when researchers fed steers rations in which sorghum silage made up 20% of the dry matter, whole corn produced cheaper feed costs than ground or rolled corn. Studies conducted at Ohio State University determined that it is of questionable value to process dry corn unless more than 23% of the dry matter of the ration is roughage or unless the cattle are fed 20 pounds of corn silage daily.

    Nutritional Value

    • Whole shelled corn is low in calcium, potassium and protein. You should feed supplements to correct these deficiencies along with feed additives such as ionophores, which aid feed efficiency and rate of weight gain and reduce the incidence of founder, a painful hoof condition. You may also include a mixture of one part plain salt to two parts dicalcium phosphate. Protein percentages for calves fed whole shelled corn diets should be 11.5% until reaching 850 pounds, then you can reduce the protein level to 10%. In addition to whole shelled corn, a complete ration should include grass or alfalfa hay and soybean meal.

    Digestibility

    • According to a study done at Ohio State University, one of the biggest factors that prevents feeding of whole shelled corn is the visual appearance of kernels in feces. When researchers tested the occurrence of kernels in feces, they found that less than 2% of kernels consumed by cattle appeared in the feces. Gorocica et. al (2005) measured digestibility of whole corn eaten by calves and yearlings and found that the age of the calves and cattle did not affect the digestibility of whole corn kernels as evidenced by occurrence in feces.

    Conclusion

    • According to the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia, the carcass composition of cattle is not affected by processing dry shelled corn. Feeding whole corn eliminates processing costs, and the Department of Animal Sciences at Ohio State University recommends feeding whole corn diets for starter rations and when feed-grade antibiotics are prohibited.