Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
9/27/00
Contacts:
Daryl Strohbehn, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-3020, stroh@iastate.edu
Wendy Miller, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-BEEF, wmiller@iastate.edu
Iowa Beef Center Recommends Cornstalk Grazing Guidelines
AMES, Iowa -- Without a doubt, 2000 has been an unusual year for beef producers. Dry spring conditions caused growing drought concerns, however, mid-summer rains quieted some of the speculation.
Now with much of the state several inches behind in rainfall, beef producers are seeing many pastures completely depleted. "Not only is the top soil dangerously low in moisture going into this fall, but plant root reserves are wiped out," said Daryl Strohbehn, extension beef specialist with Iowa State University and the Iowa Beef Center. "Grass and legume plants need rest before winter starts or plant survival may be in jeopardy."
Strohbehn recommends that producers begin cornstalk grazing as soon as possible to give overworked pastures necessary resting time. "Because it's looking like the corn harvest is going to be especially early this year, producers should have ample opportunity to graze cattle on cornstalks," Strohbehn said. "However, this year's unusual weather has caused some less than desirable field conditions that producers must be aware of."
Stalk rot has caused moderate to heavy harvest losses across the state. Heavy corn losses result in opportunities for cattle to regain body condition prior to winter, but the chances of corn overloads are very high, Strohbehn cautioned.
"Perfect conditions for overloads now exist, because cows are very hungry due to short pasture forage supplies and large amounts of dropped corn exist in many fields. This is possibly a deadly combination," Strohbehn continued. "There are a lot more dropped corn ears this year than in a normal year."
Corn engorgement can result in rumen acidosis, a condition caused by the rapid increase in rumen lactic acid resulting from a sudden change in the animals' diets. Rumen acidosis can cause death in severe cases, but also can lead to laminitis (founder foot) and added susceptibility to infections.
Producers can avoid problems by conditioning cattle prior to turn out. For three days prior to release, Strohbehn recommends producers use the following regimen:
Day 1 - Feed 8 pounds of corn.
Day 2 - Feed 12 pounds of corn.
Day 3 - Feed 12 to 15 pounds of corn.
"These rations are best administered in split feedings," Strohbehn said. "By feeding cattle like this prior to turnout and making sure they are full, you can help prevent grain overloads."
However, if producers notice cattle quickly bloating or scouring after cornstalk turn out, it is likely grain overloads have occurred, Strohbehn said. In severe cases, seek treatment quickly from a local veterinarian.
Past research has shown that beef cow performance on cornstalks can vary depending on the acres of cornstalks provided as well as weather conditions. Unless weather and snow cover become prohibitive, nonlactating cows should maintain weight on one acre per cow per month. Iowa State University work has shown that two acres per cow per month will give positive weight gain and improve condition score. Further work at ISU has shown that producers using strip grazing of cornstalks can reduce forage to 1/2 acre per cow per month and still maintain weight.
For more information, call the Iowa Beef Center at (515) 294-BEEF.
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