Ivan Rush at Scottsbluff Research Center conducted a research project using light-test weight corn fed during the growing and finishing phases. Following is the summary from his research:
Light-test weight corn from two consecutive years at 47.7 and 45.9 pounds per bushel was compared to corn at 56.5 and 55.9 pounds when fed to large-frame crossbred steer calves during a growing phase and a subsequent finishing phase in both years. Performance results from both years were similar; and after combining the data, steers gained as fast and as efficiently on the light-test weight corn as they did on the heavier corn during both the growing and finishing phases. When carcass data were combined for the two years, hot carcass weights were significantly greater for the light-test weight corn, but other measurements were similar. The data from these trials indicate that corn with a test weight as low as 45.9 pounds per bushel has equal feeding value to normal U.S. No. 2 corn for cattle on growing and finishing
If you want to read the entire report, go to beef.unl.edu and on the left side of the page is a box to do a search. In the box type "light weight corn" and click "go." You should get the title of the report on the next screen and just click the title and the report will come up.
