Ramsey County

Howdy!!!!!

Well here we are finally able to do harvesting before our next cold snap hits the middle part of the week.  This cold spell sounds more like the end of fieldwork in our county, but I have seen some very nice weather, in our neck of the woods, in November.  Harvest is on fast track as we speak with many producers hiring extra combines to finish this long drawn out process.

Time is also drawing near for our big move into our new home.  We have had very good living quarters for the past 3 months but a little private space is not all bad either.  I am also looking forward to getting my little Springer back with us.  She has been living with my folks but I sure do miss her and she seems pretty excited to get back home.  I think what she is really looking for is a good pheasant-hunting trip.

The main topic this past week has still been “what do we do with our corn”? 

Corn tips!!!!!
Many folks have destroyed their corn by many different methods.  Some by rolling, others by tillage operations and others that may have used a harrow, crops had to be destroyed to enable producers to collect their monies from crop insurance.  This does not however prevent cattlemen from using these acres for feed.  Many acres of silage have been made this year along with the acres that have been fenced for cattle grazing.  All these methods are very good and should carry cattle very comfortably into the long winter months ahead. 

One word of caution on the matter of grazing or chopping corn on these acres, make sure to get a toxin test and feed analysis done before going to long into the feeding season.  There has been one field of corn that came back from being tested for toxins and was recommended not to be fed to cattle. 

There have also been many fields that have been rolled or harrowed with intentions of being burnt this fall or early next season, but before planting next seasons crop, to get rid of the residue.  This would enable producers to use the equipment available to them and not to purchase any new equipment to get through this enormous amount of residue.

Burning this corn stubble or any stubble for that matter creates another void in our pocket book.  There are many factors that can contribute to an off balance in soil structure and nutrient requirement in the whole scheme of things.  Burning does reduce soil organic matter and also increases the chance of soil erosion.  It also reduces nitrogen that would be available for the next growing season.  Keep in mind that all the nutrients will not be available for the next growing season but by adding tilth and organic matter back into the soil creates many different activities in the soil structure.

With the cost of “N” this fall and the likely higher cost of N next spring we might want to reconsider the burning of this crop.  This corn crop will produce about 5 tons of dry matter with about 7-8% of N per dry matter.  Keep in mind that the grain, itself, also contributes N back into the soil.

What this all adds up to is approximately 125-150 pounds of N back into the soil.  With the cost of N today as mentioned earlier this could add up to $10-15 per acre.  Seems like a waste of a “match” with costs of farming like it is.

Another avenue that might be possible for some producers is the available feed source next spring for cattle.  Depending on weather factors, another avenue that could and should be checked out.

524 4th Ave #5, 2nd Floor Ramsey County Courthouse
Devils Lake  ND  58301
701-662-7027
email - ramsey@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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