Here in mid-winter, cornstalks remain a great forage resource for livestock producers. Snow cover on cornstalks is generally not a problem for cattle, as they are adept at digging their way through to get at the leaves, husks and remaining corn they are seeking. However, if an icy crust develops on the snow, this will limit grazing, and supplemental feed may need to be provided.
Another important consideration is the stocking rate and how long they have been in a particular field. Nutritional value of cornstalk residue is greatest at the beginning of a grazing period and declines with time as the most nutritious plant parts are consumed. A general stalk grazing rule is there is about 30 cow days per 100 bushels of corn that the field produced.
Over the fall and winter, weathering can also play a role in reducing cornstalk quality. Rain or melting snow soaks into dry corn stalk residue and leaches out some of the soluble nutrients. Most serious is the loss of sugars and other energy-dense nutrients, which lowers the total digestible nutrients, or energy value, of the stalks.
Another factor that affects cornstalk grazing is wind. We have had our share of excessively high winds, which easily blow corn leaves and husks off the field. This, of course, can impact the amount of feed, and after grain, those leaves and husks contain the highest nutritional quality.
Cornstalks are still a great and economical winter feed source. Just be sure to closely monitor cow and field conditions while adjusting your supplementation program accordingly. — Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension range and forage specialist
