Grazing cornstalks or drought-stricken corn can be a way to fill feed gaps during drought, but there are some nutritional concerns. Producers must commit to moving cattle to new pastures to successfully use cornstalks as feedstuff.
Cows are selective grazers and choose the highest protein and most easily digested plant parts first. Cornstalks are fibrous and poorly digested, so cows will not eat as much of them as other forages. However, they can still provide some nutrition, especially if cows are moved to new pastures frequently.
One concern with grazing cornstalks is the increased risk of nitrate poisoning, especially during drought. Nitrates are naturally present in cornstalks, but they can build up to dangerous levels when the plant is stressed. Producers should test for nitrates before grazing cornstalks to ensure that they are safe for cattle.
To estimate how long an acre of cornstalks will provide enough grazing for a cow, producers can use the following rule of thumb: bushels per acre divided by 3.5 equals grazing days per acre for a 1,200-pound cow. For example, an acre of corn that produced 150 bushels would provide enough residue for 42 grazing days.
A more accurate estimate can be made by factoring in the amount of residue produced per bushel of grain. In a 150-bushel-per-acre crop, there will be 2,400 pounds of dry feed per acre. Assuming one acre per cow per month, this would allow cows to graze on the cornstalks for less than two months. Producers should also consider the nutritional needs of their herd when grazing cornstalks. Lactating and fall-calving cows, as well as stocker calves, may need more protein than other cows. Producers may need to supplement the diet with protein or other nutrients to ensure that their animals are getting the nutrition they need
Bailey also recommends these resources from University of Nebraska-Lincoln:
Photo Credit: gettyimages-chrisboswell
Categories: Missouri, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle