Tips On Grazing Corn

GrazingWhen utilizing corn as a grazing feed for cattle there are several equally important elements to consider, namely acres needed, fencing requirements and water access.

When properly managed approximately 75 acres of hybrid corn are needed to feed 150 cows for a 90-day winter feeding period. This calculation is essential to ensure that when seeding corn in the spring you will have enough acreage to comfortably carry your herd size through winter feeding. Factors such as CHU and RM should also be discussed with your UFA Customer Account Manager (CAM) when selecting a corn variety.

While grazing on corn is a great feed source, supplementation may still be required to ensure cattle are receiving an adequate nutrient profile. To ensure the best body condition of your herd a supplement that provides key nutritional building blocks such as protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus and a full complement of essential minerals and vitamins should be provided to cattle. UFA’s 60% CP Corn/Cereal Winter Supplement for Beef Cattle provides an ample supply of these building blocks to supply your herd a complete nutritional solution. Grazing Calculator

 

Another important consideration when grazing cattle is proper introduction of the grazing corn to the cattle’s diet as well as proper rotation through the feed plots using a well-planned fencing system. Ideally, waiting until the ground freezes is the best option for starting cattle on corn grazing as allowing stock to graze in soft or muddy conditions can increase feed loss as viable feed gets trampled into the ground.


Cattle that are coming from late fall grass or stubble should also be fed a grain ration for up to a week, until their rumen adapts and is ready for feeding on the corn grain. Once they have adapted to the corn rotating the cattle through sections that supply approximately 5 days of feed to the cattle before they are moved to a new plot is ideal. By using this rotation timing you optimize the amount of feed utilized minimizing wastage.

Sectioning of the total planted acres using quality electric fencing equipment that is properly installed is critical to ensure maximum utilization of the crop and eliminating cattle getting into sections of a field when they are not supposed to. UFA carries a large selection of electric fence energizers, wire, posts and other accessories and has the know-how to help you plan out your fencing.

Lastly, but equally important is water access for your herd. When planning out the location of feed plots and your rotation plan ensure that the cattle always have access to a good water supply. Even though water consumption does decrease in the winter an average bred cow still requires on average 12 gallons per day for healthy metabolic function and development.

By thoroughly planning out your acreage, fencing and water access requirements you can successfully utilize corn grazing for winter feeding to economically provide a great feed source to your herd.


Tips On Grazing Corn

Tips On Grazing Corn

When utilizing corn as a grazing feed for cattle there are several equally important elements to consider, namely acres needed, fencing read more...

Tips On Grazing Corn

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