Kernels purchased as animal feed are typically field corn, or dent corn, which is distinct from the sweet corn grown for eating off the cob. While the kernels are biologically viable for germination, planting them involves navigating significant agricultural and safety concerns. The outcome of planting these kernels will result in a crop fundamentally different from the familiar vegetable garden staple.
Understanding Feed Corn
Feed corn, often labeled as grain corn or field corn, is primarily the variety known as dent corn, named for the small depression that forms on the crown of each kernel as it dries. This type of corn is the most widely grown in the United States, accounting for the vast majority of the annual harvest. Dent corn is characterized by a high content of hard and soft starch, with relatively low natural sugar content.
The primary purpose of this crop is not for human consumption directly from the stalk. Instead, its high starch profile makes it an ideal commodity for industrial applications and livestock feed. It serves as the main energy ingredient in rations for cattle, pigs, and poultry, and is also the source material for ethanol fuel production. Beyond feed and fuel, dent corn starch is processed into products like corn oil, corn syrup, industrial adhesives, cornmeal, and grits.
Planting Viability and Seed Treatment
The kernels of field corn are, in their raw state, viable seeds capable of germination and growth, provided they have been stored in cool, dry conditions. However, the viability of these kernels for planting is frequently compromised by commercial agricultural practices. Nearly all commercial field corn seed is treated with chemical compounds before being packaged and sold. These treatments typically include systemic insecticides and fungicides applied to the kernel surface. The chemical coating protects the seed from pests and soil-borne diseases during the vulnerable early stages of growth, promoting better stand establishment.
Treated corn kernels are often coated with a brightly colored dye, such as red, pink, or blue, specifically to signal that they are chemically treated and not intended for consumption. These treated seeds should never be planted for human or animal food purposes because the systemic chemicals can be absorbed by the plant and persist in the resulting grain. Using this treated feed corn for planting creates a potential toxicity risk that outweighs the initial cost savings of the kernels.
The Expected Harvest and Uses
If untreated feed corn kernels are successfully grown to maturity, the resulting harvest will be field corn, not sweet corn. The ears will mature after the leaves and stalks have dried and browned, indicating the kernels have hardened. The mature kernels will be tough, starchy, and lack the high sugar content that gives sweet corn its desirable flavor and texture. Attempting to eat this corn directly off the cob at the “milk stage” will result in a less flavorful, less tender experience compared to sweet corn.
The harvested dent corn is best used after the kernels have fully dried, at which point they can be ground into cornmeal or grits. These dried kernels are suitable for making traditional foods like cornbread, tortillas, and hominy after undergoing processing.
Home gardeners must also consider the risk of cross-pollination if field corn is planted near sweet corn varieties. Corn is wind-pollinated, and if the pollen from starchy field corn lands on the silks of sweet corn, the resulting sweet corn kernels will be compromised. This cross-pollination will cause the sweet corn kernels to develop a tough, starchy texture, ruining the crop intended for fresh eating.