DSD 6.12 | Brachytic corn for increased production
The brachytic gene mutation results in corn that is shorter in stature but an improved digestibility profile. Through a reduction in intranode distance, the corn plant reduces indigestible fiber. Dr. Antonio Gallo, PhD ruminant nutritionist from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and his team in Italy recently studied the impact of this gene mutation on the productivity of the dairy herd.
High quality, home grown forages allow dairy producers to maintain the competitive edge. By limiting the purchase of off-farm nutrients, forages possess the ability to advance or hold back a herd. When brachytic corn was fed, they found a yield increase of 3.8 lbs/cow/day. However, the higher producing animals did not consume more.
“This is likely due to a chemotactic effect,” Gallo describes. The team measured changes in the intake pattern which provided insight to future research questions for data to better understand how this phenomenon could have happened.
The quality of corn silage impacts the health and productivity of the dairy cow. Additionally, her intake behavior is impacted by the ration. As more dairy farms move toward robotic systems, maximizing the energy density of the PMR will directly impact productivity, perhaps brachytic corn is most important in these systems.
Listen in to understand how the brachytic corn variety might work in your operation.
Topics of discussion
1:24      Introduction of Dr. Antonio Gallo
3:01      What is “brachytic”
5:38      Chemical analysis of Short Stature (SSC) vs Tall Stature Corn (TSC)
6:24      NDF differences (Table 2)
9:11      Dry matter differences – ‘stay green’ benefit
10:02     What about disease pressure in corn fields
12:01    SSC field observations re: lodging during derechos
12:31    Planting rate
13:37    Ration calculation – and feeding strategy
14:58    Individual intake and feeding behavior of each animal
15:59    Research herd description
16:13    Milk yield response, 3.8 lbs/cow/day
17:22    Rumen Flow Rate
18:22    Dry matter yield drag at harvest?
20:10    Feed behavior – eating less and producing more   
21:04     Chemotactic effect - Apparent digestibility NDF, starch and protein
24:52     What do you want ‘boots on the ground’ dairymen to know about your project
 
Featured Article:
Effect of silage from a new brachytic corn hybrid with a high harvest index on feeding behavior and performance of lactating dairy cows
 

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