ornstalk residue is a good source
of nutrition for the beef cow. When
grazing cornstalks, we want to use
about 15% of the residue. This 15%
includes any remaining corn and
50% of the husk and leaf. Those
parts are the most palatable and
the highest quality nutrition for the
cow. For every bushel of dry corn,
the husk makes up 3 lbs. per bush
el and the leaf makes up 14 lbs. per
bushel. The highest nutrition out in
the field is the corn that was left.
A cow’s intake and diet quality
decrease the longer she is left in
the field. When cattle graze corn
residue, they select corn first, husk
and leaf second, cob and stalk last.
When cows are forced to eat cob
and stalk, they can’t meet their nu
tritional needs.
A general rule of thumb is that for
every 100 bushels of dry corn pro
duced a cow can graze for 1 month.
To calculate how much feed is avail
able in each field you can use the
cornstalk grazing calculator found
online. However, in recent studies,
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
has found high yielding corn (200
bu/ac or greater) has less leaf and
husk per bushel and the quality is
generally lower than lower yield
ing fields. Based on this research, it
is suggested to reduce the grazing
days by 5% in higher yielding corn
hybrids. This can be accomplished
CORNSTALK GRAZING FOR LATE GESTATION
University research you can use.
Randy Saner, Nebraska Extension Educator
Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist
University of NE - Lincoln, UNL Beef
beef.unl.edu
Extension Education
by changing the utilization rate to
45% instead of 50% in the grazing
calculator.
When grazing corn residue prop
erly, pregnant cows can meet their
energy and protein needs without
supplementation. However, they
do require supplementation of min
erals and vitamin A. We suggest a
4 oz free choice mineral contains
containing at least 300,000 IU per
pound of Vitamin A, 4 to 5% phos
phorus, 1500 to 2500 parts per mil
lion copper and 3000 to 5000 parts
per million zinc.
Corn residue, especially husk,
is susceptible to losses from tram
pling and wind. Monitoring husk
availability is a great way to en
sure cows are receiving the nutri
ents they need. When husk is hard
to find, either move cows to a new
field or start feeding a
supplement. Bred and
first calf heifers have
higher
energy
and
protein
requirements
and need to be supple
mented. During mid
gestation, 2 to 3 lbs. of
dried distillers grains
or 4 to 6 lbs. of mod
ified distillers per day
will meet their needs.
During late gestation,
3 to 5 lbs. of dried dis
tillers grains or 6 to 10 lbs. of modi
fied distillers grains per day will be
sufficient.
IN CONCLUSION:
• If high yields, around 200 to 250
bushels, cut back to 45% utilization
• Monitor availability of husk in
the field as a way to gauge utilization
• Heifers require supplementation
with a protein and energy source
• All cattle need access to a min
eral source with vitamin A
• If cows are losing weight, sup
plement or move to another field.
Courtesy University of NE - Lincoln, UNL Beef
Interviews with the authors of BeefWatch news
letter articles become available throughout
the month of publication and are accessible at:
www.go.unl.edu/podcast.
38
February 2026 | THE STOCKMAN AG-EXTRA