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August 25, 2004 Exploring Corn Grazing in North Dakota Many cattle producers in western North Dakota will run short on hay this year, and corn growers on the eastern side of the state are likely to have crop that won’t make grain due to cool temperatures. There are not enough corn choppers to go around to utilize all the corn for silage, says Vern Anderson, animal scientist at the Carrington Research Extension Center. Therefore, he recommends that producers on both sides of the state consider corn grazing. Anderson knows that to do so requires substantial adaptations. The fields to be grazed must allow cattle access to water and fields must be fenced. Chip Poland, livestock specialist at the Dickinson Research Extension Center, has worked with corn grazing trials for seven years. In addition to fencing around fields, he suggests fencing within fields. Although less of a concern with this year’s lack of significant grain production, bloat and acidosis can be a problem. Initially turning out cattle that are full, restricting access to fresh feed and moving cattle from section to section to control how much actual corn grain cattle can consume are management tools that minimize these concerns. Terry Gompert, Nebraska Extension agent, recommends putting up portable fences that can be moved daily. Gompert has worked extensively with corn grazing in northeastern Nebraska where the practice has been used for years. He says plastic posts and electric fence work best. Although it seems like a lot of labor, he says that moving the fence usually only takes him ten minutes, and grazing 1000 cows is as easy as 100. Cows will eat the weeds out of the field, most of the corn stalk and all of the leaves, ears and tassles, according to Gompert. “Corn makes wonderful grazing,” he says. “It is the tallest, most winter friendly grass we have. In three feet of snow, the corn plant can still be grazed.” With yearlings in normal grain years, Gompert says 2 to 2.3 pounds of gain has been common in cattle grazing corn in Nebraska. Anderson notes that with reduced grain yields, North Dakota producers should expect somewhat reduced livestock gains this year. Poland says that 1.5 to 2 pounds per day is a reasonable expectation. Some producers are curious about the extent of compaction that occurs due to grazing fields. “Data indicates that producers need not worry about compaction of the soil if cattle are grazing while the ground is frozen or at least not muddy,” says Poland. However, corn growers need to make a financial consideration before advancing, according to Dwight Aakre, NDSU farm management specialist. “Producers should contact their crop insurance providers and county Farm Service Agency offices if intending to use corn in a manner other than what was reported for coverage,” he says. “Failure to do so may jeopardize insurance benefits, as well as loan deficiency payments.” To learn more about insurance regulations, contact Aakre at (701) 231-7378. For additional information about corn grazing, contact Vern Anderson (701) 652-2951 or Chip Poland at (701) 483-2078. ### Sources:
Dwight Aakre, (701) 231-7378, daakre@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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North Dakota State University |
