Corn stalk grazing is a familiar scene in South Dakota. After the corn harvest, animals graze on the remaining husks, leaves, stalks, and corn, turning it into a cost-effective feed option. This practice not only offers an affordable feeding alternative but also aids in preserving harvested forages for the chilly winter months.
Some farmers express concerns about livestock losses during corn stalk grazing, thereby increasing the overall expense of this otherwise economical feed resource. Fortunately, there are several management practices available to reduce or even eliminate these losses.
One significant concern is the rumen's difficulty in adjusting to a sudden change in diet, as it has been accustomed to grazing forages throughout the summer. A sudden overload of corn can be harmful. To counter this, ensuring that the livestock has a full belly before turning them out on stalks is essential.
Providing hay or other forages beforehand can prevent overeating on ear corn on the first day.
Farmers should survey the fields for any piles of corn caused by miscommunications during harvesting and discuss potential spills with landowners if they are renting the stalks. This step is vital as a small number of animals discovering a pile could lead to overeating and potentially terminal acidosis.
Nutritional factors are crucial, including water, salt, and protein availability. Water sources should be monitored for quality, and salt should be available. As corn availability decreases, protein supplements are necessary to help animals effectively utilize remaining forages.
Turning livestock into corn stalks is a straightforward way to keep mid-gestation feed costs low, and the practice comes with several benefits. It helps the animals regain weight lost during calf nursing, cleans up fallen corn, reduces the growth of volunteer corn, and contributes to manure management, thereby enhancing soil health.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-chrisboswell
Categories: South Dakota, Livestock