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Cattle producers encouraged to feed corn stalks

A beef specialist says the fall drought has cattle producers looking for grazing alternatives to pasture.

Travis Meteer, with the University of Illinois Extension, says producers can turn to corn stalks.

“To graze what’s left of the corn, and mainly the husk, and maybe a little bit of leaf.”  He says, “We can stock those cows at about one cow, or even two cows per acre, for a 30-day grazing.”

He says adding some supplemental nutrients could be needed.

“If they’re dry cows that have had their calf weaned probably don’t need much besides a mineral supplement this time of year.”  He says, “We got fall cows, then we definitely want to supplement them some energy and protein, and we could do that with a grain mix or distillers grains.”

However, Meteer tells Brownfield the practice still makes economic sense.

“Just think 30 days of feeding hay is probably close to $2.00 per head per day in cost.”  He says, “Grazing corn stalks we’re really saving at least a dollar, maybe in many situations $1.50, per head per day.”

Meteer says research also shows utilizing corn stalks not only extends the grazing season, but the cows also return nutrients to the cornfield in the form of organic fertilizer thus also benefitting the row crop operation.

AUDIO: Travis Meteer – University of Illinois Extension