High-oil corn is an attractive possibility because it has greater energy than normal corn. Oil contains approximately 2.25 times as much calories as carbohydrates. Broiler diets regularly contain added oil. Dairy cows will more readily exploit bovine growth hormone to its fullest potential if energy is increased beyond that of regular corn rations.
Swine treated with porcine growth hormone can expect similar advantages with high-oil diets.
The first high-oil corn varieties were selected in 1896 at the University of Illinois. Over the years genetic selection has steadily improved agronomic performance and yield of corn hybrids with higher oil contents. Commercial hybrids grown in the Corn Belt typically contain 3 to 5 percent oil. The relationship between oil level and grain yield has been evaluated many times. Hundreds of hybrids have been tested over the last 20 to 30 years, but only a few have achieved commercial significance.