Every year, the harvesting of a new crop brings much anticipation and excitement for the farmer. This is also true for the nutritionist. We see changes in animal growth as corn crops are brought in, but at times, unwelcomed changes also happen. Here are five things to keep in mind as new crops are getting ready to be harvested.
1. Movement of old crop
Prior to harvest, the previous year’s crop will need to be taken out of storage. Typically, grain stored near the bottom of the bins will be more damaged (mold, brittle, insects) and may have reduced nutrient value.
2. Mycotoxins
Mold is present in the environment and can be found growing on plants. During the course of a growing season, warm/wet weather encourages the growth of the mold. If the mold becomes stressed, it will produce mycotoxins. The mycotoxins can vary in how much they may affect swine and some, such as aflatoxin, have legal limits of consumption by livestock. Testing the new crop before it comes out of the field can be beneficial in preparing for any needed mitigation steps. In addition, if grain isn’t stored properly, the mold can continue to grow in the bin and produce mycotoxins later in the year, so mycotoxin monitoring should be done year-round.
3. Changes in nutrient composition
Different growing conditions, such as drought years, can cause a change in nutrient composition and test weights. All of this can influence how diets are formulated for the pig. New crop samples should be submitted for complete nutrient profiles to best formulate with the new crop and optimize growth.
4. Moisture
Different levels of moisture of crop coming out of the field can create challenges with grinding. Old crop in the bins will certainly grind differently than new crop as well. Take a close look at particle size during the harvest as sometimes mills may be receiving in new crop and old crop within the same week and mills will need to adjust accordingly to keep particle size consistent.
5. Pricing/Availability
As always, managing diet costs is critical in the fall. Pay careful attention to the nutrient composition and quality of the crop and factor into ingredient analysis to identify optimal ingredients for the coming year.
More from Farm Journal’s PORK:
From Farm to Field: Don’t Let Mycotoxins Win
Continue Testing for Mycotoxins
Be on the Lookout for Mycotoxins in Livestock Feed
Minding Mycotoxins: How to Protect Livestock in Direct Grain Sales
