Extend Grazing Season With Corn Stalks

Grazing corn stalks is one way for farmers and ranchers to reduce the cost of wintering beef cows. However, "grazing corn stalks" is a bit misleading, as cattle shouldn't be forced to graze the stalk of the corn plant, say North Dakota State University Extension specialists.

"The components of the corn plant remaining postharvest include the stalk, leaf, husk, cob and any downed ears," says Zac Carlson, NDSU Extension beef cattle specialist. "The components with the greatest nutritive value are the husk and leaf. The cob is relatively high in digestibility but low in protein. The stalk is low in protein and digestibility."

"Cattle are selective grazers and will eat any grain first that is remaining in the field, followed by husk and leaf," says Carlson. "As a consequence, the longer the cattle graze a particular corn field, the lower in nutrient content their diet will be."

Therefore, farmers and ranchers should target cattle to consume husk and leaf and use the visual appearance of husk and leaf as an indicator of when to move cattle to the next field, Carlson advises.

"For each bushel of corn produced, there is approximately 16 pounds of leaf and husk available," says Janna Block, NDSU Extension livestock systems specialist. "A suggested stocking rate is to target grazing half (8 pounds per bushel of corn produced) of the available leaf and husk."

Mature, non-lactating, spring-calving cows with a body condition score of five or greater will not need supplemental protein when grazing corn residue in favorable weather at an appropriate stocking rate.

Weaned calves, first-calf heifers and fall-calving cows will require additional protein and energy to meet nutrient requirements.

"Corn residue is low in most minerals and vitamin A," says Karl Hoppe, NDSU Extension livestock systems specialist. "Farmers and ranchers should provide a vitamin and mineral program when grazing corn residue."

Scout fields prior to grazing to determine the amount of downed corn present.

"There is an increased risk of founder or acidosis if fields have eight to 10 or more bushels of ears of corn per acre," says James Rogers, NDSU Extension forage crops production specialist. "If this is the case, strip grazing is recommended to limit the amount of corn consumed in one day."

To determine the amount of corn remaining in fields planted in 30-inch rows, count the number of 8-inch ears (or equivalent) on the ground along three different 100-foot furrow strips, and then divide the total by two. This will give an estimate for bushels of corn per acre remaining in the field, says Rogers.

"Do not turn hungry cattle out to graze," advises Miranda Meehan, NDSU Extension livestock stewardship specialist. "Provide good-quality hay for a day or more so cattle don't consume corn immediately. Allow cattle to fill up on hay before grazing corn residue."

Two main limitations to grazing corn residue are installing fence and providing water for grazing cattle.

Soil compaction is another issue often attributed to grazing corn residue. Based on research conducted at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Northern Plains Research Lab, Mandan, ND, the risk of compaction from fall grazing is low in the northern Great Plains due to our freeze-thaw cycles. However, NDSU Extension specialists recommend that producers avoid grazing soils with a high clay content when saturated.

"Have a plan for weather events that limit grazing," says Meehan. "Deep snow and ice will limit the ability for cattle to graze corn residue. Have additional feed resources available when the weather gets bad."

Check out the NDSU publication "Utilizing Corn Residue in Beef Cattle Diets" at http://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-hub/publications/feeding-corn-beef-cattle for more information.