What Are the Dangers of Feeding to Much Corn Silage to a Pregnant Beef Cow

Hay is the most mutual feed used for beef cows during winter time. Notwithstanding, U.S. hay production has been fluctuating for the concluding 20 years, and product has been below average since 2011 (Figure i). Simple supply and demand economics mean that when there is a decrease in hay bachelor, the price will increase.

Effigy i. Hay production in the U.s. over the last xx years (USDA, 2018).

In Pennsylvania, when pasture is managed well in the autumn, cows should be able to graze until mid- to early November. If forages are stockpiled, cows may even be able to graze through December in a typical yr. However, if there is a frost or snow early on, boosted wintertime feed will be needed for the cow herd. Regardless of timing, winter feed is the greatest expense in a cow-calf operation. In 2012, with the drought and weather changes in Pennsylvania, hay shortages pushed prices to $400 to $500 per ton. The need for additional winter feed increased cost of production. In society to manage winter feed cost in times of economical crisis, beef producers, especially in cow-calf operations, demand to be aware of alternative feed sources to mitigate winter feed costs.

Food Requirements of Cows

Before we start talking well-nigh alternative feed sources, we need to understand cow nutrient requirements. Nutrient requirements depend on moo-cow trunk weight, milk production potential, and lactation status (lactating or dry). Nutrient requirements of the gestating, dry moo-cow from mid to late gestation are presented for give-and-take (Table 1). The mid and last third of gestation tend to coincide with wintertime feeding needs of most spring-calving herds in the Northeastern United states.

Table i. Nutrient requirements for non-lactating beef cows weighing 1,000, i,200, or 1,400 lbs.

Nutrients	Cow weight	5 Months prior to calving	4 Months prior to calving	3 Months prior to calving	2 Months prior to calving	ane Month prior to calving
DM intake, lbs/d	k lb.	19.eight	twenty.3	20.9	21.0	21.4
TDN, lbs/d	1000 lb.	ix.5	9.9	10.iv	11.2	12.2
CP, lbs/d	1000 lb.	1.33	1.40	one.48	i.64	1.88
DM intake, lbs/d	1200 lb.	22.vii	23.3	23.9	24.one	24.6
TDN, lbs/d	1200 lb.	10.ix	11.4	12.0	12.8	fourteen.0
CP, lbs/d	1200 lb.	1.54	1.61	i.72	1.90	2.19
DM intake, lbs/d	1400 lb.	25.five	26.two	26.8	27.0	27.6
TDN, lbs/d	1400 lb.	12.3	12.eight	14.2	14.4	15.8
CP, lbs/d	1400 lb.	one.73	1.81	one.93	ii.13	two.46

Adapted from Beefiness NRC (1996).
Intake and nutrient concentrations are expressed on a dry matter basis.

This scenario shows that heavier cows will require more nutrients than lighter cows. In addition, nutrient requirements increment as the cow nears parturition or calving. These increases closer to calving occur because the fetus grows most speedily in the final iii months leading up to parturition.

Based on the average nutrient concentrations in hay across the Usa (Tabular array 2), in some conditions, feeding hay alone may meet nutrient requirements of the mature beefiness cow in mid-gestation. However, when hay is express, of poor quality, or just likewise expensive, producers may consider alternatives. Corn, for example, tin be substituted for hay equally the primary energy source in mature cow rations.

Table 2. Range of nutrient concentrations of hay fed to cattle

Item	Range
Dry Matter, %	88-90
TDN, %	54-threescore
Crude Protein, %	6-9
NDF, %	70-74
ADF, %	38-42
Ca, %	0.3-0.6
P, %	0.1-0.2

Corn is normally used as a feed in finishing, or feedlot, cattle diets throughout the U.S. Whole corn-based diets tin can meet the nutrient requirements of significant beefiness cattle without adverse furnishings on production and, depending on the economics, may be provided at a lower cost than feeding hay (Loerch, 1996). Considering corn is much more energy-dense than hay (Table 3), intake of corn must be restricted so cows practice not get fat. This can be done past putting cows on a limit-fed corn-based diet. By limit feeding, cows are not able to swallow all that they "want", simply rather are provided with just enough to come across their food requirements. In general, a mature moo-cow will require about 1 lb of whole kernel corn for every ii lbs of hay she was eating. From an economic standpoint then, if hay is $160 per ton and corn is $4.50 per bushel, the corn is a ameliorate buy from an free energy standpoint considering they are roughly the aforementioned price per ton but your cows need half equally much corn equally they do hay.

Table three. Nutrient concentrations of corn grain

Item	Average
Dry Thing, %	88.0
TDN, %	87.6
Crude Protein, %	8.8
NDF, %	9.vii
ADF, %	3.6
Ca, %	0.03
P, %	0.three

While corn is energy-dense, it contains relatively trivial protein. Therefore, in social club to meet protein requirements of the pregnant cow fed corn grain, protein supplements must be included in the nutrition. Supplements for protein can carry minerals and vitamins as well. In addition, supplements in the limit-feeding scenario should include an ionophore to prevent ruminal acidosis in cows. Keep in listen that ionophores should not be fed costless-selection so they must be fed daily as office of the total ration.

Limit-feeding whole kernel corn is a great alternative in times of poor hay quality or when hay is too expensive. Nonetheless, cows should yet be given some hay. It is best to feed cows 2 to 6 lbs of hay per day. If weighing hay is problematic, consider simply limiting the moo-cow's access to hay to about ii to four hours per mean solar day by gating off the feeding expanse. Either limiting access or restricting the pounds fed per twenty-four hours will reduce hay use by the cows and, potentially, salve money.

Case Scenario

In 2007, Loerch suggested a diet of 5 lbs of starting time cutting hay, 2 lbs of supplement and 12 lbs of whole kernel corn (per cow basis). The following recommendations were made for that diet scenario:

Table 4. Example of supplement for cows limit-fed corn grain

	%
Ground corn	32.1
Soybean meal	45.6
Urea	iv.1
Limestone	seven.eight
Dicalcium phosphate	4.three
Trace mineral salt	three.two
Dyna Chiliad	ii.three
Selenium premix (200 ppm)	0.4
Vitamin premix (Vit A, 15,000 IU/gram; Vitamin D, 1,500 IU/gram)	0.two
Rumensin fourscore (192 mg Rumensin/hd/d)	0.12

Note: This supplement contains the following nutrients: Crude protein, 36%; Calcium, three.76%; Phosphorus, i.00%. If using a commercial supplement, feed according to handbag instructions.
Adjusted from Loerch, 2007

1. The protein and mineral supplement should be similar to that used for feedlot cattle fed a grain-based diet (Table 4).
2. Feed whole kernel corn. Whole corn volition be consumed and digested more than slowly than processed grain. This reduces the adventure of acidosis and other metabolic disorders.
3. Adjust corn intake to achieve desired weight and/or body status score. Cows volition need to eat about one% of their trunk weight during cold winter months and as they enter lactation.
4. When starting the programme, accept seven to 10 days to adjust cows to the corn-based diet. Do this by adjusting up the corn and decreasing hay to the v lbs level. Make sure bunk space is adequate (at least 30 inches per moo-cow) to ensure that all cows have an opportunity to consume the limited feed that will be provided. Go on cows in a deeply fenced area.
5. Instance of how to begin the limit-feeding program:

Day 1 and 2: Feed 4 lbs whole shelled corn + two lbs supplement + 12 lbs hay

Day three and 4: Feed 6 lbs corn + 2 lbs supplement + viii lbs hay

Solar day 5 and six: Feed 8 lbs corn + 2 lbs supplement + v lbs hay

Day 7 and 8: Feed 10 lbs corn + 2 lbs supplement + five lbs hay

Later day eight: Feed 12 lbs corn + 2 lbs supplement + 5 lbs hay; adjust amount of corn offered based on cow body status, weather conditions, and pre- and post-calving needs. Adjust upward or down ii lbs of corn per cow if cows are getting too thin or too fat.

The supplement should exist thirty to 40% poly peptide (and urea tin can be used), 4 to 5% Calcium, and should contain Rumensin or Bovatec (to prevent ruminal acidosis). Hay quality is not of import in the limit-feeding scenario. In fact, straw, corn stalks, or poor quality starting time cut hay are fine. As a reminder, at to the lowest degree 2 lbs of hay should e'er be fed to preclude ruminal acidosis.

Because corn is the most readily available source of supplemental energy in many areas, information technology was used as an example hither. However, it should be noted that cows may exist wintered on corn gluten feed, distillers' grains, or other byproducts as well. Work with your nutritionist or your extension specialist to make up one's mind the best feed to use in your own scenario. Price your feeds based on the energy that they supply relative to hay and brand your purchasing and feeding decisions based on the best economical consequence for the farm.

Conclusion

Winter feed costs typically represent the largest portion of a cow/calf operation expenses. In time of limited hay supply and increased hay price, it can be economically advantageous to utilize corn rather than hay to meet the free energy requirements of cows. Pasture scarcity, short supplies of harvested forage, and increasing hay prices are opportunities to consider wintering cows feeding alternative free energy sources to hay. Because corn is the most readily available source of supplemental energy in many areas, limit feeding a corn-based diet can be a price-effective choice for coming together the nutrient requirements of beef cows.

References

Loerch S. C. 1996. Limit-feeding corn as an alternative to hay for gestating beef cows. J. Anim. Sci. 74:1211–1216.

Loerch Southward. C. 2007. Corn as an Culling to Hay for Gestating and Lactating Beef Cows. Ohio Beef Cattle Letter. Ohio State Academy. Extension Beef Team.

National Research Council. 1996. Food Requirements for Beef Cattle. The National Academies Press. Washington, DC.

USDA. 2018. NASS.USDA.GOV. Agricultural Counts. Statistics by Subject. National Statistics for Hay.

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Source: https://extension.psu.edu/consider-corn-based-diets-as-alternatives-to-hay-for-beef-cows

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