Calf Performance Grazing Crop Residues in Combination with Rye in Fall and Winter

Authors

D. J. Jordon, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mark Blackford, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Todd Milton, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Rob Cooper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

January 1999

Comments

Published in 1999 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Published by Agricultural Research Division & University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension , Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Abstract

Two trials in the fall and winter of 1997-98 evaluated calf performance when grazing either rye with crop residues or crop residues alone. While not significant, calves grazing rye followed by corn residues tended to gain faster compared to calves grazing residues alone (2.26 versus 1.84 lb/d, respectively). Calves grazing corn residues only fully compensated for the weight difference at the end of winter grazing by slaughter. No differences were found in finishing performance or slaughter breakevens. In trial 2, steers grazed rye and milo or milo residue alone. Steers grazing rye/milo gained faster (P < .05). Using rye to supplement animals on milo residues resulted in steers not leaving the rye portion of the field.