Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station Lafayette, Indiana
Mimeo. AS-286 August, 1960 Progress Report
LOW VS. HIGH-MOISTURE SHELLED CORN PRESERVED WITH ANTIBIOTICS FOR GROWING-FINISHING SWINE*
W. M. Beeson, D. M. Nelson and J. H. Conrad Department of Animal Science
Three previous experiments conducted at Purdue University (Mimeo AS-2kk) compared the relative feeding value of low-moisture shelled corn (11.5 to 18.5 percent moisture) and ensiled high-moisture shelled corn (25.6 to 32.4 percent moisture) for growing-finishing swine. These experiments indicated that—(l) an additional eight percent, or more, of high-moisture corn (on a dry matter equivalent Basis) is required per 100 pounds of gain when compared to low-moisture corn; (2) less protein supplement is consumed when high-moisture corn is compared to low-moisture corn containing 11,5 percent moisture, but there appears to be only small differences in the protein supplement consumption when the high-moisture corn is compared to low-moisture corn containing lb percent moisture or more; (3) pigs fed the low-moisture shelled icorn had more economical feed costs than pigs fed the high-moisture corn, and (4) ensiling of high-moisture shelled corn for swine should be considered on its merits as an efficient method of handling and storing corn since there is no improvement in the nutritional value of the corn.
Since earlier research has shown that more dry matter is required from high-. moisture corn than from dry corn to produce equal gains in swine, this paper describes research which was conducted in an attempt to improve the nutritional value of ensiled high-moisture corn.
The objectives of this experiment were (l) to determine the relative feeding value of three kinds of corn and (2) to compare different levels of salt for controlling protein supplement intake. The three kinds of corn were (l) high-moisture corn with antibiotics added at the time of ensiling, (2) high-moisture corn with no antibiotic added and (3) low-moisture corn stored as ear corn then shelled and fed.
Sixty-six Duroc pigs averaging 58 pounds were divided into six lots according to age, litter, sex and liveweight. Each experimental lot was confined to a 30 foot by Lo foot concrete paved lot and supplied with a 10 foot by 12 foot Fur-Dual hog house. Shelled corn and protein supplement were fed free-choice. High-moisture corn was placed in self-feeders daily in approximately the quantity that the pigs would consume in 2b hours. High-moisture corn that was not consumed in a 2^-hour period was removed from the feeder and replaced with fresh corn from the silo.
Corn harvested from the same field but which was treated in three different ways after harvesting was used in this experiment. Low-moisture shelled corn was used as the contro3.. This corn was harvested and cribbed as ear corn on November 20 and 21, 1959. It contained 20 percent moisture at harvest time. This corn was
* The research reported in this mimeograph was supported in part by grants-in** aid from the Commercial Solvents Corporation, Terre Haute, Indiana, and by the A. 0.
Smith Corporation, Kankakee, Illinois, who furnished the Harvestores for storing the high-moisture corn. The zinc bacitracin and penicillin was supplied by the Commercial Solvents Corporation.
Experimental Procedure