Hercules VL is a flint corn, an agricultural crop with round, smooth, shiny kernels with a convex top. This corn variety is characterized by high early maturity and high yield, making it in demand for grain production. The kernels are rich in starch and protein, allowing their use in the food industry for producing flakes and flour, as well as in the canned food industry and for manufacturing baby food. Additionally, corn is widely used in feed production, especially as green mass and silage, making it an important component in animal husbandry.
To enhance the efficiency of animal feeding, corn is often subjected to special processing — pelleting and steam flaking. Pelleting improves feed digestibility, allowing the feed volume to be reduced by 70% compared to un-pelleted grain, while also reducing energy consumption and minimizing dust. Steam-flaked corn is obtained by soaking, steam treatment, and pressing, which alters the chemical structure of proteins and facilitates starch digestion in the rumen of ruminants. This method is widely used in developed countries and contributes to increasing livestock productivity.
For storage and processing of Hercules VL corn, certain conditions must be observed: the kernels must not be exposed to direct sunlight and should not be stored outdoors. Drying on elevators is considered optimal, as it preserves the quality and nutritional value of the grain. When selecting a variety, attention should be paid to the sound and odor of the kernels — bright, dry kernels with a clear sound indicate good quality of the crop.
