Grazing Corn Residue
Despite the recent rains, or maybe because of them, you may want to consider grazing your corn residue. These acres can provide feed to background stockers, winter brood cows or for dairy and beef replacement heifers with minor supplementation. Grazing residue is an option for acres being harvested too late for a cover crop or for acres where harvest has been delayed because of the recent wet weather. Grazing residue with a cover crop planted in it is also a great option depending on the objective of the cover crop.
One of the most common concerns about grazing corn residue is that cattle will cause soil compaction. A 16-year study conducted at the University of Nebraska has shown no compaction when grazing in the fall or the early spring and grazing did not impact soil nutrient content. Which fits well with expected impacts given that cows in mid-pregnancy retain very little nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium. Thus, they excrete most of what they consume resulting in very little nutrients leaving the land. With long term grazing there was an improvement in subsequent soybean and corn yields. This could have been due to the nutrient cycling being sped up as there is an increase in microbial biomass in the soil in the grazed areas. The biggest benefit of this practice is the cost savings. Although doubters will hesitate because they don’t think their animals will stay in. Animals trained to electric fence will need no more than two strands of hot wire or polywire. Some locations will provide challenges when it comes to a water source.
As with any management decision, you should conduct a cost-benefit analysis. Just don’t let the old road block “we have never done it that way before” stand in your way.
This article appears in October 2024, Volume 15, Issue 7 of the Agronomy News.