Nutritive Value of the 1992 Corn Crop

Adverse harvesting conditions in the northeastern part of continental North America in 1992 resulted in most samples of corn being of low bushel weight and of variable “visible” quality. Twenty-six samples varying in bushel weight from 45.2 to 58.5 lbs were assayed for metabolizable energy, proximate analyses, total dietary fiber, and total and available amino acids. With the exception of reduced crude protein, metabolizable energy (ME), and other nutritive parameters were not influenced by bushel weight and were little different to expected values. Lysine availability was variable, probably reflecting variation in drying conditions.