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Preparing Cornstalks for Grazing

Nutritionist answers cornstalk-prep questions.

Fall harvest is wrapping up in the Midwest and the Plains states. The residue left behind — cornstalks — offer cattle producers a cost-effective way to feed their livestock throughout the next few months. Kevin Glaubius, director of nutrition for BioZyme Inc., took time to answer questions about grazing cornstalks and being prepared from a nutrition standpoint.


How long can producers let their cattle graze cornstalks?

At 150 bushels (bu.) an acre, approximately 1 acre of cornstalks is needed to feed a cow for 30 days. To feed the same cow on cornstalks for 60 days, 2 acres are needed.


What kind of supplementation should producers think about when they turn out to cornstalks?

This depends on if you are grazing cows that are nursing calves or if you are grazing cows that are 3-4 months away from calving. With pairs, you will need to provide extra protein along with balanced vitamins and minerals, whereas with cows in the last part of gestation, a vitamin and mineral supplementation should meet requirements.

Producers looking for an all-natural supplement might consider the VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® Protein Meal or VitaFerm Concept•Aid Protein Tub. Both contain adequate protein for cow-calf pairs and for cows 60 days precalving or 60 days postbreeding.

The cattle diets will change and so will their nutrient requirements as they graze. If you have enough stalks to graze for 60 days, you can save some money by delaying the protein supplementation to the half-way point. The cows will eat the products with the most nutrient value, the corn, first, then move to husks and leaves, and finish with the stalks, having the lowest nutrient value. Providing a protein supplement early on typically doesn’t benefit the cows and adds an extra expense.


A lot of high winds have resulted in downed corn and fallen ears through the Plains states this year. What challenges do producers face with overconsumption, and how can they avoid those challenges?

First, calculate how much corn you have on the ground. An 8-inch ear of corn contains about a half-pound of corn grain; therefore, 112 8-inch ears would equal a bushel of corn [56 pounds (lb.) of shelled corn to the bushel]. By counting the number of ears, the amount of corn can be estimated. If corn is in 30-inch rows, count the number of ears in three different 100-foot furrow strips and divide by two to give an approximate number of bushels per acre.

Then, you have three basic options.


Regardless of which strategy you choose, Amaferm® quickly supports microbial adjustment to new feed and ration changes, helping maintain the rumen pH above 6 (below 6 is considered acidosis conditions). Research has shown Amaferm’s effect on rumen pH stabilization and its ability to stimulate a faster growth of lactate-utilizing bacteria. These bacteria convert lactic acid to usable energy for the animal.

Also, remove salt so that cattle eat the mineral. Add sodium bicarbonate at a rate of 25 lb. per 1,000 gallons of drinking water to act as a rumen buffer.

What other precautionary measures can producers take to make sure they are maximizing their efficiency and providing good nutrition on stalks?

Especially this year, when there is so much corn down, keep a close eye on the livestock that are grazing cornstalks. If you see any signs of bloat or sickness, be prepared to call your veterinarian right away.



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Editor’s Note: Shelia Grobosky is a public relations specialist for BioZyme Inc.



 

 

 

 

 

 





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