Finishing Hogs with Whole Corn

Finishing hogs with whole corn is a common practice among many hog growers, especially in the final weeks before processing. Here's why it's done and what benefits it offers:

• Energy-Dense Feed for Rapid Weight Gain

Whole corn is high in carbohydrates and provides a lot of energy, helping hogs gain weight and fat quickly in the finishing phase.

• Cost-Effective

Corn is generally affordable and widely available, making it an economical choice for the final feed.

• Palatability

Hogs enjoy the taste of corn, which keeps their feed intake high and consistent.

• Improved Carcass Quality

Feeding corn can enhance marbling and backfat, improving the flavor and quality of the pork in some markets.

• Simplicity

Feeding whole corn simplifies operations by reducing the need for grinding or mixing feeds.

⚠️ Important Note:

Whole corn is not a complete feed. It lacks essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Most growers use it only during the last few weeks before market and often supplement it with R & R Wirtes Grain's Market Hog Mix.

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🌽 Why Whole Corn Over Cracked Corn for Finishing Hogs?

Hog growers often choose whole corn over cracked corn during the finishing phase for a combination of convenience, cost savings, and practical performance. Here's why:

1. Lower Cost Per Ton

Because it doesn’t require processing, whole corn is typically cheaper per pound than cracked corn. Even though the digestibility of cracked corn is slightly higher, the cost difference often outweighs the small gain in efficiency — especially over short finishing periods.

2. Reduced Dust and Feed Waste

Cracked corn produces more fines and dust, which can lead to feed waste and respiratory irritation in confined feeding areas. Whole corn holds its shape, creating less mess and fewer issues in self-feeders or troughs.

3. Sufficient Digestibility for Market-Ready Hogs

By the time hogs are ready for finishing, they are large enough to chew and digest whole kernels effectively. While younger pigs might benefit from cracked corn, mature finishing hogs don’t require it for adequate nutrient absorption.

Potential meat‐quality / finishing benefits of whole corn feeding

Here are several benefits that growers often cite — some supported by research, some more anecdotal — when using whole corn in the finishing phase:

1. Fat deposition and marbling

   • Because whole corn is high in energy (starch) and relatively low in other nutrients compared to formulated feeds, finishing hogs on a high‑corn ration tends to favor fat deposition (versus lean muscle). This can result in improved marbling or a richer flavor profile in the pork, which can be desirable in certain markets (heritage pork, direct‑to‑consumer, premium cuts).

   • Some growers believe that whole corn, with its slower digestion and “steady” energy release, gives the hogs a longer “fat finishing” window, allowing better fat cover without excessive lean gain that could reduce flavor.

2. Carcass consistency

   • A simple whole‑corn finishing approach can lead to more uniform feed intake, fewer feed changes, less sorting and less feed‑processing variation. This consistency can help produce more consistent carcasses.

   • In practice, when hogs are fed whole corn with a good supplement (protein/mineral), there is less variation in growth rates between hogs, making the load‐out and processing schedule more predictable.

3. Meat flavor / eating quality

   • Many direct‑market hog producers report that hogs finished on whole corn taste “sweeter”, “cleaner”, or have a more traditional pork flavor.

   • Although the rigorous scientific literature is somewhat limited in this specific area, flavor differences often come down to fat quality, fat content, and how feed influences those, so in theory whole‑corn finishing supports that.

4. Market positioning & consumer perception

   • Finishing on whole corn can be marketed as a “traditional”, “old‑fashioned”, or “corn‐fed” program, which adds value in niche markets. The story can itself be a benefit: consumers perceive corn‑fed hogs as higher quality, which can allow a higher price.

   • Thus, the benefit isn’t purely biological — it’s also marketing/branding.

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⚠️ Feeding Disclaimer: Whole Corn as a Finishing Feed

Whole corn is best used as a finishing feed during the final 4 to 6 weeks before market. During this time, hogs are mature enough to efficiently digest whole kernels and convert the energy into desirable fat cover and carcass weight.

We recommend pairing whole corn with R & R Wirtes Grain’s Market Hog Mix to ensure hogs continue receiving the essential protein, vitamins, and minerals needed for proper

muscle development, health, and feed efficiency.

Suggested Feeding Ratio:• 70–80% whole corn• 20–30% Market Hog Mix

Do not feed whole corn as the sole diet without a protein/mineral supplement.