By Marcos Marcondes
Corn grain is a major source of starch in dairy cow diets, and the way this grain is processed can directly affect digestibility and animal performance. Traditionally, finely ground dry corn is the most commonly used form on farms. However, other options, such as high-moisture corn and reconstituted corn, have been used as strategies to improve starch availability in the rumen. A recent study in collaboration with Miner Institute’s Dr. Marcos Marcondes assessed whether reconstituted finely ground corn could be a practical and effective alternative to both dry and high-moisture corn using the same flint corn hybrid.
How is reconstituted corn produced?
The reconstituted corn grain (RCG) used in this study began as mature dry corn (approximately 89% dry matter). The grain was first finely ground using a 3 mm sieve. After grinding, water was added to achieve a final moisture content of around 40%. A propionic acid-based additive was then incorporated at a rate of 5 L per ton to inhibit spoilage during ensiling. The material was tightly packed into 500 L plastic silos, sealed with plastic film, and covered with soil to prevent air from entering. Both reconstituted and high-moisture corn were stored for 258 days before feeding. The main advantage of reconstituting corn is flexibility. In many regions, especially those with frequent rainfall during harvest periods, ensiling high-moisture corn can be difficult due to the narrow harvest window at ideal grain moisture levels. Reconstitution allows the use of mature dry grain harvested later, helping producers avoid weather limitations while still taking advantage of fermentation benefits if appropriately stored.