 |
|
|
|||||
|
|
September 2, 2004 The Value of Standing Corn for Grazing
Grazing corn is likely the least efficient method of harvesting corn and is considered a salvage operation. Producers would not graze off a corn crop if other harvest methods would yield a higher net return. At the other end of the spectrum, a livestock owner would not likely be willing to pay more for grazing corn than other alternatives for feeding. Therefore, the market value for grazing standing corn will likely fall somewhere within this range. The interest in grazing corn, at least in part, is due to a lack of other grazing sources, particularly in the southwestern part of the state. Typical grazing rates for summer pasture run about $15 to $16 per animal unit month or about 50 cents per head per day. Another alternative is drylot feeding. The full cost of drylot feeding will generally run at least $1 per head per day. If the livestock producer is short on pasture, then anything less than the cost of drylot feeding would represent a lower cost alternative. In addition to the grazing fee, the additional cost of hauling the cattle to the corn must also be included. Other considerations that impact the total cost of grazing include fencing, water, minerals and daily checking of the cattle. To estimate the value of standing corn for grazing, it is necessary to determine how much yield is in the field. One method to estimate yield is to hand cut and weigh one-thousandth of an acre. This can be done by measuring out 17.4 feet of row length for corn planted in 30-inch rows or 14.5 feet of row for 36-inch rows. The plants should be cut at the normal chopping height (8 to 10 inches) and then weighed. Multiply this weight by 0.5 to estimate tons per acre. The biggest unknown in this calculation is the percent of crop that will actually be consumed by the livestock and how much is wasted. Some wasting will occur because the cattle will likely refuse to eat the lower part of the stalk. Trampling and leaf drop due to wind will add to the loss. As a suggested estimate, 50 percent of the dry matter will be utilized by the animal. To estimate the grazing potential per ton of yield per acre, multiply 2,000 pounds by the percent of dry matter times the percent consumed and divide by the pounds of dry matter consumption per cow per day. Example; Yield - 1 ton @ 20
percent dry matter equals 400 pounds of dry matter The carrying capacity
per ton per acre is then 6.66 head per ton per acre Based on average grazing values, an acre of corn yielding 10 tons would have a value of $33.50 per acre or $3.35 per acre per ton of yield potential. As with any market, if supply exceeds demand, the price is likely to fall. If demand exceeds supply, upward pressure on prices will occur. Other factors to consider include which party will pay for the cost of fencing, tending to the herd and hauling water if necessary. The livestock owner will incur trucking expenses to move the cattle to the corn as well. In addition, if the corn crop is insured, strips will have to be fenced out for final yield adjustment and will not be available as feed until after the crop is released by the insurance company. In some situations, there may be a considerable distance between the livestock operation and the corn available for grazing. For these arrangements, it is suggested the livestock owner be responsible for building the necessary fence and the owner of the corn crop be responsible for providing the water and daily fence checking. A Web site, Coping with Late Maturing and Frost Damaged Crops, is available through North Dakota State University at www.ag.ndsu.edu. It has more information on the value of standing corn for grazing and other topics. The Web site can be found under several headings including: Timely Topics, Crops and Livestock. ### Source:
Dwight Aakre, (701) 231-7378, daakre@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
Market Advisor: |
|
North Dakota State University |
