>Hello everyone!
> I have often thought about grazing corn but have never tried it. One
>drawback for me has been the fact that it is not ready for grazing until
>late summer or early fall. So yesterday I got this brainwave to leave
>corn in the field all winter and then, in the spring and summer, let
>the cattle graze corn and pasture. (I don't have silo space for corn
>silage all year round).
> Has anyone else tried this? Do cattle graze old dried out corn? We
>can sometimes get lots of snow here so will the crop loss be too great?
> I look forward to your comments and feel free to laugh at my silly
>brainwave!
>
> Bill Los Ontario Canada
>
>
>_______________________________________________
You'll end up with significant kernel passage, which is a loss of the total
potential feed value. There's also a risk if wet fall weather conditions
created the opportunity for mold inside the unhusked ears. Mold can
adversely affect cattle performance depending upon the type of mold and the
quantity consumed.
For extended grazing into winter, try brassicas. There's a few grasses
that stockpile well, try the newer tall fescues with the soft leaves.
Dave Gneiser
WisCOWsin
