By Travis Meteer
I have been having conversations with producers about grazing cornstalks. I wanted to share some frequently asked questions.
Q: How long can I graze cornstalks?
A: This depends on stocking rate and available dry matter to graze. The quick answer is "At 150 bushels an acre, approximately 1 acre of cornstalks are needed to feed the cow for 30 days. To feed the same cow on cornstalks for 60 days, 2 acres would be needed." I think these are good numbers for budgeting. I challenge producers to continuously monitor the cattle, their behavior, and the amount of husk and leaf left in the field. Once the majority of the husk is gone, the feed value is relatively poor.
Q: Can I graze cornstalks from a field that had Diplodia damage?
A: There is a level of risk grazing these fields. If you have clean fields they would be preferred. However, Diplodia molds are less harmful to animal health than Aspergillus and Gibberella molds that can produce Aflatoxin or Zearalenone. It is important to scout fields because Diplodia can open the door for these more dangerous molds to proliferate. I would encourage producers to offer some other feed source such as hay and use infected fields only for a short time at lighter stocking rates. Short summary… there is risk, but it can be managed.
Q: How much should I pay to rent cornstalks?
A: Like all rental agreements, there are several determining factors for value. The main thing is to have some kind of agreement in writing. This is a good article on what needs to be in the rental agreement. As for price, I would suggest starting at $0.25/hd/day for a fall grazing season with gestating cows. Factors like fence, water, length of grazing season, trucking, stocking rate, and weather challenges can all influence price.
Q: Is compaction a problem?
A: Generally, not an issue. High traffic areas around water or feeder will be more susceptible to compaction. If cows are left on cornstalks into the late winter or early spring, there is a higher risk of compaction.
Source:illinois.edu