AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Iowa Beef Center staff are working with producers evaluating the use of corn co-products in their beef operations. ISU has numerous research and demonstration projects examing the use of at distiller’s grains and other grain co-products as feed.

Two educational programs set for the Chariton area will address many issues local producers are facing. The “Using Corn Co-products in Cattle Rations” seminar will be held Feb. 19, 7 p.m. at the ISU Extension Lucas County office. A field day at the ISU McNay farm southwest of Chariton, on “Storing and Feeding Corn Co-products,” will be held March 5 starting at noon with a chili lunch.

The Feb. 19 seminar will address the nutritive value of various corn co-products, how they fit cow and calf rations and the relative value of these products compared to higher corn and hay prices. The Iowa Beef Center BRANDS beef cattle ration program will be used to demonstrate some example rations. Dan Loy, ISU Extension beef feedlot specialist, and Joe Sellers, ISU Extension field livestock specialist, will conduct this program.

The McNay Field Day on March 5 will review various demonstrations and research projects recently complete or currently underway at McNay and other ISU research locations. Topics will include methods to store wet distiller’s grains with solubles (DGS), using these products in demonstrations feeding beef cows, developing heifers and ewes, and future projects planned in this area. One current project looks at a wet DGS and hay mix, as well as modified DGS stored in silage bags. Part of this study includes evaluating molds and toxins that might be present in long stored wet DGS products. The tour will include viewing the condition of the modified DGS bag and the heifers used in a feeding trial using this product.

Both events will include time for a question and answer session. There is no charge for either event. For more information contact Joe Sellers at (641) 774-2016 or sellers@iastate.edu

--30--