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Utilization of corn and sorghum crop residue for growing cattle
Abstract
Factors thought to improve gain of cattle grazing corn and grain sorghum residues are improvement of residue quality and quantity. Nine grazing trials conducted in 1987 and 1988 fall-winter seasons evaluated these factors. To improve forage quality, two corn hybrids were chosen for high and low in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) of leaves and husks, planted in irrigated and non-irrigated fields, grazed for two trials and compared. Selection for higher quality residue did not improve cattle gains (P $<$.01 and P $<$.10). Grazing calves selected the highest quality fractions of residue, particularly residual grain and husks. Animals grazing residue of three corn hybrids at low and high stocking rates, gained more (P $<$.01) at the low rate. Fields stocked at low rates had more (P $<$.01) total available OM and digestible OM for all hybrids. Stocking rate and hybrid interacted (P =.15) because forage quality was expressed at high stocking rate and not low. Quality or quantity of corn residue alone do not predict animal gain. Quality of grain sorghum residue increased in one trial (P $<$.01) by selection of high IVDMD hybrid compared to low, but not in a second. Animal gain was not improved by high IVDMD residue in either trial. Calves grazing corn residue gained more (P $<$.01) than calves grazing sorghum residue. Selective grazing of residual corn grain and husk by calves was thought to be the determinant for improved gain. In winters with little snowfall, calves grazing corn residue performed better than calves grazing residue of a corn and grain sorghum combination. In a winter with heavier snowfall, incorporation of sorghum residue into a grazing system gave animal gains equal to corn residue. Selectivity of grazing animals and the environment seem to be major factors in determining gain of calves grazing crop residues.
Subject Area
Livestock
Recommended Citation
Irlbeck, Nancy Ann, "Utilization of corn and sorghum crop residue for growing cattle" (1990). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9121921.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9121921