Maria Luiza De Grandi, journalist, Ciência Rural, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
Juliano Kobs Vidal, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
One of the main ingredients used in poultry diets worldwide, corn has high nutritional value. Brazil is one of the largest producers and exporters of the grain. To understand how corn hybrids impact productive and economic efficiency in poultry farming, the study Productivity, nutritional composition, and presence of mycotoxins in different corn hybrids, published in Ciência Rural (vol. 54, no. 12, 2024), evaluated 50 hybrids grown under real agricultural conditions in Paraná.
Researchers from the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) and the Cooperativa Agroindustrial Consolata (Copacol) conducted a study linking productivity, nutritional composition, and mycotoxin contamination in corn hybrids to the cost of poultry feed production.
The methodology included established technologies such as near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for nutritional analysis and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for mycotoxin quantification. The data were analyzed by correlating productivity, nutritional composition, and feed costs. The analyses revealed that the average yield was 7,407 kg/ha, 34% above the Brazilian average. However, more productive hybrids showed lower nutritional density, with reductions in crude protein and essential amino acid levels.
Imagem: made by the author
The results confirmed that although high-yield hybrids are economically attractive in the field, they require greater nutritional supplementation and the use of anti-mycotoxin additives in feed, significantly increasing costs. These findings highlight the need to balance productivity and nutritional quality when selecting hybrids, also considering fungal resistance to reduce mycotoxin contamination.
The research offers immediate practical applications, such as guiding farmers and companies in selecting hybrids best suited to local conditions, optimizing feed formulation, and directing genetic improvement programs. Additionally, it contributes to sustainability by proposing strategies to enhance production efficiency and reduce costs in the food supply chain.
Although similar studies exist, this research stands out for its holistic approach, connecting productivity, nutrition, food safety, and economic impact. The analysis of 50 hybrids in a single growing season under real conditions provides robust and applicable data, expanding understanding of the challenges and opportunities in using corn hybrids for animal production. The results reinforce the importance of continuous monitoring and agricultural inovation to meet the growing demand for safe and affordable food.
GRANDI, M.L. and VIDAL, J.K. Corn Hybrids Can Have Direct Impact on Poultry Farming Efficiency and Costs [online]. SciELO in Perspective | Press Releases, 2025 [viewed ]. Available from: https://pressreleases.scielo.org/en/2025/03/24/corn-hybrids-can-have-direct-impact-on-poultry-farming-efficiency-and-costs/
One of the main ingredients used in poultry diets worldwide, corn has high nutritional value. Brazil is one of the largest producers and exporters of the grain. To understand how corn hybrids impact productive and economic efficiency in poultry farming, the study Productivity, nutritional composition, and presence of mycotoxins in different corn hybrids, published in Ciência Rural (vol. 54, no. 12, 2024), evaluated 50 hybrids grown under real agricultural conditions in Paraná.
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