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Low test weight miloBy Richard C. Snell Barton County Extension Agent, agriculture Kansas Hail storms before wheat harvest and wet conditions in spring and early summer caused a few farmers to end up planting grain sorghum (milo) in July. I don't think we had a lot of this, but I know we had some in the northwest part of the county and in other areas of the county as well. If so, there are some alternatives to consider for utilizing this crop once any insurance requirements have been met. Our first fall freeze did not come early, as a matter of fact it was a little bit late. But, we lacked some heat units in August and September, due to some cooler than normal weather. To plant milo in early to mid-July, everything has to be perfect for it to fully make it to maturity. You not only have to have rain, but, milo likes hot weather and except for right at the end of July and early August, we just didn't have that. The weather was great for the May and June planted milo and for the corn, soybeans and sunflowers. Most of our milo is yielding in the 100-150 bushels per acre range and averaging close to 125 (that is almost unheard of in our area for non-irrigated), with good test weights. So, what do you do with this milo, when you may take a heavy dock at the elevator if the test weight is too low. With most of the elevators already busting at the seams, I doubt they are going to want very much 40 pound test milo. Pencil it out though, the dock may be worth taking. If not, here are some other options. The feed value of clean milo weighing 35 to 40 pounds or more per bushel is virtually equal to standard test weight milo on a pound for pound basis. Nutritionally, light weight milo is higher in crude protein, fiber, and minerals, but somewhat lower in starch than normal grain. However, their digestible energy values are similar when properly processed. Light milo is more difficult to process because of greater variation in seed size, smaller berries, and foreign material. Because of its lower bulk density, light weight milo also requires more transportation and storage space per ton and takes longer to process than normal grain. Grading factors and impaired kernel appearance often reduce market value for grain without influencing its feed value. The major problem with lower quality graded grain is generally one of handling, rather than nutrition, as this grain is more susceptible to harboring insects and mold. Several years ago, K-State did trials on feeding low test weight milo at both Garden City and Hays. In the growing trial, 35-, 45-, and 55 pounds-per-bushel grain sorghum was used in either a limit-fed high concentrate or full-fed high roughage diet. Within a feeding level, average daily gain was not affected by sorghum test weight. Gain tended to decrease, however, with increasing test weight. Feed conversion in high concentrate steers was increased 11.4 percent, compared to high roughage steers. In the finishing trial, 35-, 45-, and 55 pound-per-bushel grain sorghum was processed by either dry-rolling or steam-flaking. After 124 days on feed, the average daily gain was similar for all test weights. Feed conversion was improved when the sorghum was steam-flaked, compared with dry-rolled sorghum. Cumulative feed conversion was similar for the dry-rolled treatments at all test weights. However, steers fed steam-flaked, 55 pounds-per-bushel sorghum had a 10.8 percent improvement in conversion compared to the average of all other treatments. Carcass characteristics were not affected by test-weight differences. In light test weight sorghum, protein and fiber levels are increased, but starch content decreases as test weight declines. The higher protein content can be an advantage in ration formulation, especially for growing rations. Because of the smaller and variable seed size, fine processing is critical. Dry rolling is the cheapest mechanical means to accomplish this. These studies indicate the relative feeding value of 40 to 55 pound milo is similar. Lower bulk density, however, increases transportation, handling and processing time and cost and requires more storage space per ton. Most of the milo in our area was fully headed and close enough to maturity to at least make grain. If your milo was really behind, due to drought or other factors and didn't really produce a head this year, there are alternatives to consider, such as graze, bale or make silage. I have information on that, but for us that is another column in a different year. 11/24/08 Date: 11/20/08 Advertisement
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