Corn Residue a Good Option for Supplemental Feed

Corn (maize) residue left over from harvest can be a great option for livestock producers wanting to extend the grazing season, but producers should watch out that cattle do not eat too much grain, US universities have said.

Reports from Ohio State University (OSU) and North Dakota State University (NDSU) both said that corn residue can be a great option to supplement feed.

In Ohio, excessive rain has resulted in a lower hay crop this year, making alternative feed sources necessary, whilst in North Dakota, recent wind storms have left significant amounts of downed ears left in corn fields.

Grazing corn residue typically is the most cost-effective method to take advantage of nutrients remaining in the field after combining.

However, NDSU said too much grain can cause digestive upsets and other health issues.

"Producers must evaluate individual fields and grazing scenarios, and make appropriate management plans to ensure cattle health,” beef cattle specialist Carl Dahlen said – read more.

In supply news this week, US cattle slaughter was down compared to the previous week, but very similar to last year's levels, CME analysts reported.

The number of steers on feed at the start of October was up, but the number of heifers on feed was down, with the University of Missouri's Ron Plain and Scott Brown noting "it appears that a large number of heifers are being held on farms for breeding".

The cattle placed on feed have also got heavier, as the number of placed in September weighing less than 800 pounds was down 11.5 per cent, but the number placed weighing 800 pounds or more was up 7.8 per cent compared to a year ago.

"That has been the pattern for the past year, fewer light weight cattle in feed yards and more heavy weight cattle," Mr Plain and Mr Brown said. "This was the 14th consecutive month with the calculated average placement weight above the year-ago level." - Read more.