Lorado Crimping and Grain Maize

In recent years there has been increasing interest in maize for crimping by both livestock farmers looking to increase their range of home grown concentrates, and also by dedicated arable growers looking for a spring sown cash crop.

Dry grain production requires varieties with rapid dry-down rates, harvested after leaves have died back and typically followed by the removal of 10-15% moisture in a dryer. The high energy costs of drying increase the cost of the final product considerably. This is a major factor in steering producers towards moist storage after crimping.

The high energy content of crimped maize grain, and the slow starch degradation characteristics it exhibits makes it an ideal moist concentrate feed for high performance dairy and beef animals. It is a convenient and reliable product and is ideal for use on farms where the maize silage area is limited but additional starch is required in the diet.