Influence of Local and Reimported United States and South American Corn Sources on Broiler Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Processing Yield

TL;DR

This study found that corn from different countries had minimal effects on broiler growth and meat yield, but influenced feed intake, feed efficiency, and phosphorus digestion.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into how corn origin affects specific aspects of broiler performance and nutrient digestion.

Findings

Broilers fed Argentinian and Brazilian corn had higher feed intake compared to those fed local U.S. corn.

Broilers fed U.S. corn (local and reimported) showed improved feed conversion ratio at 35 days.

Argentinian corn improved phosphorus digestibility compared to U.S. local corn.

Abstract

Corn is an important ingredient in broiler diets, but its nutritional quality varies based on its origin. This study investigated how corn from the United States (local and reimported), Argentina, and Brazil affected the growth, nutrient digestibility, and processing yield of broilers from 1 to 35 days of age. Overall, corn origin had no effect on broiler growth and carcass traits. However, broilers fed diets with Argentinian and Brazilian corn had a higher feed intake, while those fed diets with corn from the USA (both local and reimported) had improved FCR. Broilers that consumed diets with Argentinian corn had improved phosphorus digestibility. Overall, corn origin had a minimal effect on broiler performance and processing yield, though differences in feed intake, FCR, and phosphorus digestibility were observed. Understanding these variations can help broiler producers make informed decisions to optimize diets, improving both sustainability and economic efficiency.

The origin of feed ingredients, particularly corn, can influence nutrient composition and availability, thereby affecting broiler growth performance and overall production efficiency. This study evaluated the effects of the dietary inclusion of different corn origins: United States (local) (USA-L), United States (reimported) (USA-R), Argentina (ARG), and Brazil (BRA) on broiler performance, nutrient digestibility, and processing yield from 1 to 35 d of age. A total of 1200 male broiler chicks (YPM × Ross 708) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, with each diet incorporating corn from a specific origin. Birds were housed in controlled environmental conditions and fed isocaloric, isoproteic diets formulated based on corn nutrient profiles from each origin. Body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were assessed at 10, 21, and 35 d. On d 35, ileal digestibility of nutrients was assessed using titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker, and processing yields were measured on d 36. Results indicated no impact of corn origin on BW or BWG during the grow-out. However, FI was greater in broilers fed with diets containing corn from ARG and BRA compared to corn from USA-L from 1 to 35 d (p = 0.012). Feed intake of birds fed diets with USA-R did not differ from diets with either BRA or USA-L corn. Feed conversion ratio remained unaffected at 10 and 21 d of age, but broilers fed diets with corn from USA-L and USA-R exhibited improved FCR at 35 d compared to those fed corn from BRA (p < 0.001). Processing weights and yields showed no differences among treatments; nonetheless, broilers fed corn from ARG had a higher chilled carcass weight than those fed corn from USA-R (p = 0.032). Nutrient digestibility analysis revealed no differences in crude protein, fat, calcium, and potassium digestibility, while phosphorus digestibility was significantly higher in broilers fed corn from ARG compared to corn from USA-L (p = 0.007). These findings suggest that corn origin minimally affected overall broiler growth performance and carcass characteristics. However, differences in FI, FCR, and nutrient digestibility may exist among different corn sources.