Rethinking Corn Residue: Effects of Grain Yield on Quality and Quantity of Residue

Authors

Kaylee E. Wheeler, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Jessica Miller, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Sadie Ference, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Stephan Geu, University of Nebraska, LincolnFollow
Bill Struckmeyer, University of Nebraska, LincolnFollow
Amanda Easterly, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Cody F Creech, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Brian Maust, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Daren D. Redfearn, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Mary E. Drewnoski, University of Nebraska, LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2024

Citation

2024 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

UNL Beef, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Abstract

A two-year experiment evaluated the effects of corn grain yield on the resulting quality and quantity of corn residue. Among the wide variety of corn hybrids, locations, and growing conditions, observed grain yields ranged from 120 to 350 bushels per acre. As corn yield increased, the total pounds of residue increased. However, the amount of reside relative to grain decreased. Within the residue, the proportion of leaf increased from 10 to 28% as corn yield increased while husk remained unchanged at 13%. Overall, the yield of leaf and husk per bushel of corn grain was not affected by grain yield and averaged 12 lb/bu. As the grain yield increased, there was an increase in proportion of leaf, but there was a decrease in total residue per bushel, resulting in no change of leaf quantity per bushel. However, as yield increased, the digestibility of leaf and husk declined. Given the decrease of residue quality in higher yielding fields, impacts of grain yield on cattle performance should be evaluated.