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Feed Value of Corn at Various Maturity Stages

Crude protein, fiber, and ash are higher in immature grain, however it has very low test weight. Gross energy does not change with test weight changes. Listed below is the nutrient composition of corn grain at different stages. A point to remember is the drying rate of immature corn might take many weeks, for the drying rate of corn that is physiological mature is approximately 0.5% a day. This would result in a 2 week span between physiological maturity and harvest maturity.

  Early Milk Early Dough Mid Dent Phys Mature
Nutrient Concentration in Dry Matter %
Dry matter 20.9 35.7 55.5 76.6
Crude Protein 16.6 12.5 10.7 10.9
Crude fiber 5.4 3.3 2.5 2.1
Crude fat 3.0 4.0 4.8 4.9
Ash 2.8 2.3 1.7 1.5
Starch 47.4 55.0 58.7 63.7
Gross Energy (kcal/kg) 4650 4540 4590 4580
Test Weight 35 47 55 58

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