How Much Corn Does It Take to Produce a Pound of Beef

Estimating Bushels of Corn on the Basis by Counting Ears Prior to Grazing with Cattle

Oct 2017

Photo courtesy of USDA-NRCS.

Prior to grazing cornstalks with cattle, an judge should be made of the amount of corn that is present in the field. The UNL Extension Circular EC 287 Grazing Crop Residues with Beef Cattle provides data on a uncomplicated method for estimating the bushels of corn that are on the basis.

An 8-inch ear of corn contains about 0.50 lb equivalent of shelled corn grain; therefore, 112 8-inch ears would equal 1 bushel (i bushel = 56 pounds). By counting the number of ears, the amount of corn can be estimated. If corn is planted in 30-inch rows, count the full number of ears in three different 100-foot furrow strips and carve up by two to give an judge number of bushels per acre.

For example, after walking three, 100-pes strips, a full of 30 ears of corn were counted across all three 100-foot strips. Total ears of corn, which is thirty, divided past ii, equals an estimated xv bushels of corn per acre on the ground. Small-scale ears and broken ears should be counted as one-half ears, while very large ears could be counted as an ear and a half. Whatsoever amount beyond eight-10 bushels per acre will require a well-planned grazing strategy to ensure that too much grain is not consumed past grazing cattle.

If information technology is determined that there is excessive corn on the ground, the following are strategies to implement to help minimize the chance of digestive upsets (acidosis), lameness and abortions for cattle grazing the cornstalks.

• Limit admission to corn by cross fencing the field and using a method called "strip grazing" where cattle are just given access to the determined amount of corn that they should eat for a given day. This method is the most reliable method for decision-making corn intake. If downed corn is on an irrigated middle pivot, i option for strip grazing is to attach the electrical fence to the centre pin and move the pin to move the fence.
  
• Consider the class of livestock that is going to be grazed. Cattle that haven't grazed cornstalks before, such every bit weaned calves or yearlings, will often have time before they actively seek out corn. This can give the cattle time to accommodate and acclimatize to the corn. Weaned calves or yearlings tin can as well make all-time use of the corn and convert information technology into a saleable production as they are growing and adding pounds that tin can exist marketed.
  
• Non-pregnant cows that would benefit from gaining weight are some other class of livestock that can be a good choice for grazing downed corn. Choose cow prices often seasonally increase from the late fall into the spring which complements the apply of this resource.
  
• Cows that accept previous experience with grazing cornstalks will seek downed corn immediately. Cows should be adjusted to corn prior to giving them access to the field. Beginning cows on 2-3 pounds of corn a day and piece of work them up to 10-12 pounds per solar day over a 7-10 day period. Adjusting cows to corn volition assist to reduce the risk of digestive upsets.
  
• Have cattle full prior to turning out for grazing and provide good quality hay so cattle don't over consume corn immediately. Feeding palatable hay or other feed daily can also help to reduce the amount of corn that cattle will be eating.
  
• The employ of a Monensin supplement fed daily tin can help to stabilize feed intake and reduce the risk of founder and bloat which are caused by overeating.

Managing cattle that are grazing cornfields with excessive downed corn can be a challenge for producers. However, with planning and strategy, cattle can make clean up and make skillful use of this situation, benefiting both the farmer and the cattle producer.

Aaron Berger, Extension Educator
Panhandle Enquiry & Extension Eye
University of Nebraska

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Source: https://beef.unl.edu/estimating-bushels-corn-ground-counting-ears-prior-grazing-cattle

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