By Aaron Berger
Pasture and hay are in short supply in much of Nebraska due to drought conditions while the price of corn is currently below the cost of production. These circumstances are prompting the consideration of the opportunity of grazing standing corn with the cow herd as a feed option for the rest of the summer, fall and winter.
Summer Corn Grazing – Drought Stressed Fields
In some regions, drought-stressed corn may be released by crop insurance and would provide an option for grazing. A Nebraska Extension article titled “Forage Options for Drought-stressed Non-irrigated Vegetative Corn and Nitrate Concerns” provides information on utilizing dryland, drought stressed corn as a harvested feed or grazing resource. When considering grazing drought-stressed corn, first check herbicide labels for any grazing restrictions.
Will nitrates be a potential concern? Yes, it could be an issue. Cattle should not be turned out hungry. When grazing starts, cattle should self-adapt by eating any developing ears and the tops of plants first and then will be more acclimated to eating the higher nitrate areas lower in the plant. Make sure plenty of clean, fresh water is available to help reduce nitrate risk. Protein is higher when grazing corn in a vegetative stage than as it matures. Depending upon the state of maturity of the corn, as well as the stage of production and need of the cattle grazing, protein supplementation may be needed to meet nutrient requirements.
Summer Corn Grazing – Green, Growing, Good Conditions
For many, the thought of grazing good, green, standing corn that is tasseling and forming ears is hard to imagine. However, corn is a warm season, annual grass and fields at this stage of maturity can provide a large supply of high energy, quality forage. For cow-calf producers who have access to corn they are growing themselves or know a farmer who would be willing to market a portion of their crop in this way, strip grazing standing corn can provide an alternative to dry lot feeding cows if pasture is short. It can be a competitively priced feed option when compared to buying hay or other feed stuffs and including the cost of equipment and labor needed for feeding.
Source : unl.edu