By Scout Nelson
Winter approaches, and with it comes the potential of corn residue as a feeding resource for cattle. Corn residues provide a substantial diet of dropped corn, husks, and leaves, packing a total digestible nutrient (TDN) between 50-60% and crude protein around 5-5.5%. As grazing progresses, the nutrient quality diminishes.
Young, weaned calves have higher nutritional demands. Left on grazing alone, they can't meet their needs and may lose weight. To achieve a gain of 1 pound daily for a 600-pound calf, a diet comprising 8.3 pounds of TDN, and 1.31 pounds of crude protein is essential.
A solution? Research recommends dried distillers grains plus soluble (DDGS) as a supplement. A 2-pound daily DDGS intake can boost their gain, even reaching up to 2 pounds per day.
During the winter, dry pregnant cows, particularly those expecting spring calves, are in their pregnancy's second trimester. Their nutritional needs are at their lowest, especially when their body condition is satisfactory. Usually, they can maintain their weight with 26 pounds of residue. Any need to improve their body condition mandates supplements.
Even when not supplementing, ensuring a free-choice mineral is key, ideally targeting a daily intake of 4 ounces.
Weather patterns heavily influence the grazing duration on corn residue. Cows can graze on lands with snow covers up to 4-6 inches. However, icy terrains make grazing impossible. Thus, grazing duration varies with weather conditions.
Often, concerns arise about how grazing affects soil health and future crop productivity. A notable concern is soil compaction. Studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have shed light on the subject. Fall grazing of corn residue in specific conditions even enhanced soybean yields by 3.4 bushels per acre. And remember, cattle excrete most of the nutrients they consume, recycling them back to the soil.
Though temporary surface compaction can occur during wet periods, nature's processes typically alleviate such effects, ensuring no lingering root growth restrictions in subsequent seasons.
Photo Credit: beef-cows-in-field-usda
Categories: South Dakota, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle