Corn residue as feed alternative

By Andi Anderson

Grazing corn residue is a practical and cost-effective option for providing feed to cattle during the fall and early winter months in Ohio, particularly for spring calving cow herds. Here's a closer look at the benefits and considerations of utilizing corn residue as a feed source:

Benefits:

• Nutritional Needs: Corn residue provides a valuable feed source at a time when the nutritional requirements of mature cows, especially those that have already weaned their calves, may be at their lowest for the year.
• Pasture Regrowth: Grazing corn residue allows pastures to rest, promoting fall regrowth at a time when pastures may be stressed.

Practical Considerations:

• Palatability: While corn residue offers digestible energy and fiber, it's essential to assess the palatability and practicality of using it as a primary feed source, especially when considering the economics of baling and transporting the residue to the cows.
• Economic Efficiency: Grazing is typically the most economical option for utilizing corn residue, and its efficiency depends on how well cows graze the available material.
• Selective Grazing: Cows are selective grazers and will choose to eat the leaves, husks, loose kernels, and dropped ears first. Selective grazing can be controlled and improved using moveable electric fencing, which can increase utilization by up to 50%.
• Minimizing Selective Grazing: Strip grazing and controlled grazing with moveable fencing can help reduce the risk of acidosis if there were excessive field losses of grain.
• Timing: Corn residue fields should be grazed soon after harvest for optimal quality.
• Field Conditions: Fields with poor drainage or compaction problems should not be grazed for extended periods.
• Conservation Plans: Producers with a Conservation Plan should check with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to ensure that grazing corn stalks does not violate the plan.
• Temporary Fencing: If fields are not presently fenced, temporary electric fencing is an economical alternative. Simple fencing with poly or high tensile wire supported with step-in posts can be cost-effective, and the materials can be reused from year to year.

Baling and Transporting Corn Residue:

• Consumption vs. Waste: Consider whether the husk, leaf, and any kernels or whole ears in the bales will be readily consumed or become bedding. The more desirable parts of the bale are typically consumed first.
• Bale Processor: Using a bale processor may make the stalks more palatable. • Efficiency: When baling and transporting corn residues, carefully evaluate the harvest and transportation costs on a "per consumable and digestible ton of dry matter" basis.
• Nutrient Value: Consider the fertilizer nutrient value being removed from the corn field and remaining in a pile at the bottom of a bale ring. Each ton of baled corn stover may remove valuable nutrients, so this should be factored into the cost analysis.

Corn residue can serve as a valuable feed source for mature cows after weaning and before the end of gestation. Managed grazing is often the most efficient way to utilize corn residue, and careful consideration of economics and nutrient value is essential when baling and transporting the residue to cattle.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-luc-pouliot