Grazing Corn

Clayton Robins

Utilization Efficiency

Year Dry Matter Yield (kg/ha) Grazing Method Grazing Days/ha Residue (kg/ha)

1999 14.60 Standing 546 5.43

2000 10.28 Swathed 290 4.11

2001 7.13 Swathed 287 3.11

2002 4.00 Baled 281 .50 (est.)

Swathed vs. Standing

Side by Side 50 steers 8 weeks

Canamaize Corn – 9830 kg/ha or 64 bu/acre

Measurement taken 7 weeks after swathing and start of grazing

Swathed Standing

Residue (kg/ha) 1334 3920

Relative Feed Value (whole plant) 135 102

Relative Feed Value (stover only) 77 64

What we Know!

• Corn is an expensive crop to grow but can provide tremendous yield and quality as an extended grazing crop.
• Corn grazing is the fastest growing corn acreage.
• Agronomy technical support is readily available.
• Better varieties are becoming available each year.
• RoundUp Ready corn is a great option for weed control.
• Intensive management is needed to optimize corn crop utilization under extended grazing.

What we don’t Know!

• What is the idea ‘grazing corn’???
• Does swathing really help maintain quality?
• How do we best manage the crop to optimize cattle performance?
• How does grazing compare economically to silage/grain produced off the same field?
• If grazing corn is economically viable, where is it’s best fit in the extended grazing system?

What we Need!

· Determine what is a true grazing corn and/or research how to manage for optimal digestibility under whole-plant grazing conditions.

· Extension material on: Economic comparisions; Estimating residues; and Required Management to reduce waste, improve intake/

Nutrition plane, and optimize CGD.

· Extension material on managing for weeds in an extended grazing system.