ID-152: Grazing Corn: An Option for Extending the Grazing Season in Kentucky

Grazing is the cheapest way to feed cattle on a cost per pound of nutrient basis. However, producers with limited land resources in Kentucky have been able to use commodities or grain by-products to increase cattle numbers due to low cost and availability of these inputs. Extending the grazing season is one solution that would enable producers to reduce costs and expand production with little or no impact on the environment. Corn is not a traditional grazing crop in Kentucky, but results from several on-farm trials in southeastern Kentucky suggest that grazing corn could be part of such an extended grazing program. In addition: • Significant increases in animal production per unit of land area from grazing standing mature corn during late fall/early winter are possible and economical. Grazing corn during late fall/early winter allows producers to take advantage of historically positive changes in market prices from fall to spring. For the cow-calf producer, reducing winter feed and labor costs are of major importance. Grazing standing corn with beef cattle could reduce dependence on hay, provide an opportunity for fall pastures to rest and accumulate, and allow extended grazing into the early winter. • November through March is typically a nonproductive period for cool-season forage crops in Kentucky, requiring the feeding of stored feeds. If cattle are used to harvest standing corn, there is no need for harvesting, storage, and feeding of this high-energy feed, which should reduce equipment needs, fuel costs, capital investment, and labor costs. • Grazing can be managed with temporary fencing and properly placed watering systems. Such systems return the manure to the land and thus promote nutrient cycling and minimize potential impacts on ground and surface water. Soil erosion potential is greatly reduced with the plant residue cover that is maintained on the land.