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

Historically, many livestock producers have preferred hard, higher test-weight corn. However, this line of thinking was challenged by a team of scientists from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and Golden Harvest^® in a 2003 study of feedlot beef cattle performance. Results from that study challenged traditional thinking by demonstrating that test weight was not a good indicator of animal performance. According to Dr. Galen Erickson, UNL Beef Feedlot Research and Extension Specialist and lead researcher on the study, “Cattle fed a dry rolled corn-based diet consisting of corn with higher proportions of softer endosperm gained more efficiently compared to cattle fed harder endosperm grain.”

The Golden Harvest Agronomy Up Front^® Research team is now working with researchers at Iowa State University to study the influence of corn kernel characteristics on swine, poultry broiler and poultry layer performance, Wayne Fithian, Golden Harvest agronomy systems manager, explained, 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. The Agronomy Up Front program has always been geared toward studying the placement of hybrids in different growing and soil conditions, and this focus on feed performance takes it further by looking at hybrid characteristics in ways they can benefit the end user.

“We know variations exist in feeding value among corn hybrids,” Fithian said. “The goal is to identify which hybrids are best suited for the most efficient performance in swine and poultry. Ultimately, that knowledge could be extremely useful for corn, swine and poultry producers.”

The swine and poultry study, which includes layers, broilers and swine, and six different corn hybrids, is aimed at testing grain characteristics (e.g., kernel size and hardness) as well as animal feeding components (such as protein, starch and oil). Corn for the study was raised in a field near Webster City, Iowa. It was harvested in early November 2004, then shipped to Iowa State, where it is being ground and formulated into feed based on National Research Council (NRC) recommendations.

Kristjan Bregendahl, PhD, assistant professor of Animal Science at Iowa State University, Ames, and lead researcher on the study, said the animals are being fed and raised as closely as possible to industry practices so the results will be as useful as possible to growers and livestock producers.

Feeding for the swine trials are well underway at Iowa State. The poultry layer trials started in early March, and the broiler trials also began this spring. “We start feeding the pigs at 20 pounds body weight and will take them all the way to market,” Dr. Bregendahl explained. “Along the way, we’ll be measuring a variety of outcomes, including feed intake, daily gains and feed utilization. Then, at slaughter, we’ll also measure other factors such as percent lean, dressing percentage and fatty acid composition. Ideally, we’ll be able to help growers and livestock producers by defining the nutritional value of different corn-hybrid traits on performance so they can make more informed choices.”

The ability of Golden Harvest to pursue this type of research and expand efforts in the future has been strengthened considerably by the company’s recent affiliation with Syngenta Seeds, Inc., according to Rob Robinson, joint operating head at Golden Harvest, Waterloo, Neb. “Results from the beef cattle study taught us how important this knowledge can be for the entire industry,” Robinson said. “With the added resources of Syngenta, we’ll have even more opportunities to step up the pace on our research efforts and to explore how genetics can be put to better use in the field and on the farm for food animal production.”

John Sorenson, Syngenta head of Corn & Soybeans, NAFTA, agrees the combined efforts of Golden Harvest, Syngenta and university scientists can help to bring new technologies and, ultimately, better profit potential to farmers. “As a good steward of the agricultural industry, this kind of research is well within our shared mission to provide as much helpful information as possible to farmers and feeders,” Sorenson said.

Golden Harvest Seeds, Inc., a Syngenta affiliated company, is one of the nation’s fastest-growing agricultural seed brands focusing on hybrid corn, soybeans, hybrid sorghum and alfalfa. Genetics First^SM, Agronomy Up Front^® and Service Always^SM have helped to increase the profitability of its customers in the United States since 1973.

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2004 were approximately $7.3 billion. Syngenta employs some 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT).

© 2005 Golden Harvest Seeds, Inc. Golden Harvest and Agronomy Up Front are trademarks, and Genetics First and Service Always are service marks of Golden Harvest Seeds, Inc.