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New Lab Testing

A new formula to evaluate corn and corn silage quality has been researched for the past 5 years and provided to us from ANALAB, a division of Agri-King at Fulton, IL.  This new test procedure helps us to more accurately estimate how corn and corn silage will perform when fed to livestock.  Lab analyses have improved over the past few years, and now focus on cell wall digestibility or NDFd for forages; as well, corn for grain samples can now be tested for starch availability.  While these analyses are a valuable first step in determining silage and grain quality, they fall short in adequately predicting the VALUE of the feed being fed.  Under the new formula, the lab first determines cell wall digestibility or NDFd, and then looks at the volatile fatty acids (VFAs) produced from the sample and the ratio of the VFAs to each other.  The percent of acetate to propionate ration is used to determine good milk components and yield. 

The percent of propionate to butyrate ration correlates well to milk yield and cow performance.  The key to this analysis is that butyrate is the type of VFA that prevents adequate absorption of propionate into the cells, and propionate is needed to make lactose for milk.  High butyrate levels act like a “gate-keeper” in preventing efficient utilization of propionate and glucose.  This, in effect, limits carbohydrate absorption for energy usage

Masters Choice hybrids seem to have a unique combination of factors that favor VFA absorption and enhanced animal performance: 10 A high percentage of soluble fiber that allows for high cell wall digestibility, and 2) plants that produce select sugar compounds that break down into very desirable volatile fatty acids.  For years we have know that feeding Masters Choice corn and corn silage has given us more milk production and better body condition.  Now, we more fully understand why.  This new testing can be an excellent tool to help our customers understand why we feel Master’s Choice corn is simply the best!