Incremental levels of wet corn gluten feed were fed to calves grazing corn residues. Based on statistical and economical analysis of the data collected, feeding wet corn gluten feed (5.0-6.5 lb/ head/day; DM basis) will increase stocking rate on corn residue and reduce winter costs by 11%. Given that 3.5 lb DM/day wet corn gluten feed will meet the protein and phosphorus needs of calves, and feeding above 6.0 lb/d will not increase gains, wet corn gluten feed should be fed at 3.5-6.0 lb DM/day, producing gains from 1.28- 1.88 lb/day

Jordon, D. J.

Klopfenstein, Terry J.

Milton, Todd

English

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports Animal Science Department January 2001 Wet Corn Gluten Feed Supplementation of Calves Grazing Corn Residue D. J. Jordon University of Nebraska-Lincoln Terry J. Klopfenstein University of Nebraska-Lincoln, tklopfenstein1@unl.edu Todd Milton University of Nebraska-Lincoln Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr  Part of the Animal Sciences Commons Jordon, D. J.; Klopfenstein, Terry J.; and Milton, Todd, "Wet Corn Gluten Feed Supplementation of Calves Grazing Corn Residue" (2001). Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports. 301. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/301 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Animal Science Department at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Page 41 — 2001 Nebraska Beef Reporthybrids because of the potential reduc-tion in residual corn, or more supple-mental feed may be needed to maintaindaily gain compared with nonBt hybrids.The interaction of hybrid genetics andincorporation of the Bt trait observedwith corn silage growing diets is difficultto explain, and may be related to slightchanges in the chemical composition ofthe silages (Table 5). Most importantly,hybrid genetics have a larger influenceon daily gain and feed efficiency ofgrowing steers fed corn silage-baseddiets compared with changes associatedwith incorporation the Bt trait in thesehybrids.1Jeffrey Folmer, graduate student; GalenErickson, D.J. Jordan, research technicians; ToddMilton, assistant professor; Terry Klopfenstein,professor, Animal Science, Lincoln.Table 5. Chemical analysis of silages used in Experiment 2.Item (% of DM) N4242 Bt N4242 nonBt N7333 Bt N7333 nonBt SEMDM % 40.2 39.0 37.6 37.8 —Ash 4.1 4.5 6.1 4.7 .07CP 7.0 7.2 6.1 6.3 .11NDF 38.9 36.7 41.1 42.4 .60ADF 24.7 22.1 26.4 23.8 .20PLa 5.2 4.4 5.6 5.1 .15ADLb 3.3 2.7 3.6 3.4 .04Starch 37.6 38.6 37.3 37.1 .2130-h NDF Dig.c 32.4 30.8 34.4 31.6 .07IVDMDd 74.3 65.6 69.1 65.6 1.41aPermanganate lignin measured according to Goering and Van Soest (1971).bAcid detergent lignin measured according to Goering and Van Soest (1971).c30-hour neutral detergent digestibility measured in vitro.dIn vitro dry matter digestibility measured using modified procedures of Tilley and Terry (1963).interaction was observed for daily gainand efficiency, steers fed the N4242gained 11% faster (P<.01) and were 7%more efficient (P<.01) than those fedcorn silage produced from N7333.The data from these experiments sug-gest incorporation of the Bt trait has noeffect on corn residue value or prefer-ence in grazing beef steers. Producerscan take advantage of increased yieldsand reduced pesticide use with Bt cornhybrids without adverse effects on cornresidue grazing performance. Stockingrates may need to be adjusted for BtWet Corn Gluten Feed Supplementation of CalvesGrazing Corn Residue(Continued on next page)D. J. JordonTerry KlopfensteinTodd Milton1Feeding wet corn gluten feed tocalves grazing cornstalks increasesweight gain above non-fed controls.The optimum feeding level is 6.0 lbDM/head/day which can result in1.8-1.9 lb/day gain.SummaryIncremental levels of wet corn glu-ten feed were fed to calves grazing cornresidues. Based on statistical and eco-nomical analysis of the data collected,feeding wet corn gluten feed (5.0-6.5 lb/head/day; DM basis) will increase stock-ing rate on corn residue and reducewinter costs by 11%. Given that 3.5 lbDM/day wet corn gluten feed will meetthe protein and phosphorus needs ofcalves, and feeding above 6.0 lb/dwill not increase gains, wet corn glutenfeed should be fed at 3.5-6.0 lbDM/day, producing gains from 1.28-1.88 lb/day.IntroductionWet corn gluten feed has roughlythe same energy value as corn (NEg =0.64-0.68 Mcal/lb), is moderate inprotein (23% CP) and phosphorus(0.95%), is palatable, and is safe to feedin terms of little or no risk of acidosis orfounder. With the high concentration ofnutrients discussed, WCGF supplies sev-eral expensive nutrients in one package.Feeding five lb of WCGF (DM/head/day) is sufficient to meet the metaboliz-able protein requirement of calves graz-ing corn residues. However, no animalperformance trials have been conductedto specifically determine the optimumfeeding level of WCGF to calves grazingcorn residues.The objective of our study was toevaluate calf growth response to incre-mental levels of wet corn gluten feedsupplemented on corn residues in thelate fall and early winter.ProcedureA steer growth trial was conductedfrom Oct. 27, 1999 through Jan. 13,2000 using thirty-seven crossbred steercalves (552 lb) which were individuallyfed a supplement while grazing cornresidues. Steers were assigned randomlyto one of seven levels of supplement(2.0, 2.75, 3.5, 4.25, 5.0, 5.75, and 6.5 lbof DM/head/day). The control treatment(7 head) consisted of a sunflower meal-2001 Nebraska Beef Report — Page 42based supplement fed at 2 lb/head/day(DM basis) that was formulated to meetthe degradable intake protein (DIP)requirement of the steers. The secondtreatment (5 head) was a combinationof WCGF (68%) and sunflower meal(32%) fed at 2.75 lb DM/head/day.Sunflower meal was required in thesecond treatment to meet DIP require-ment of the steers. The remaining 5 treat-ments (5 head/treatment) consistedentirely of WCGF (3.5, 4.25, 5.0, 5.75,and 6.5 lb/head/day; DM basis). All steerswere individually fed the appropriateamount of supplement once daily usingCalan electronic gates. Each morning atapproximately 6:30, steers were gath-ered for feeding. Steers were allowed amaximum of one hour to consume therespective supplement offered. Follow-ing feeding, steers were returned to thecornstalk field. Four 7.4 acre fields wereallocated for grazing. Steers wereallowed access to a new paddock whenvisual appraisal indicated that leafand husk material was limiting.Initial and final weights were theaverage of three consecutive-dayweights following three days of limitfeeding a common diet containing 50%wet corn gluten feed and 50% alfalfahay fed at 2% of body weight (DMbasis).ResultsSteers on the control treatmentgained 0.91 lb/day. Average daily gainincreased up to 1.86 lb/day as WCGFwas included at the 6.5 lb DM/head/daylevel. When a non-linear statisticalanalysis was applied to the data, itpredicted that gains leveled off at6.0 lb DM (Figure 1). The analysissuggests feeding WCGF above 6.0 lbDM/day would not increase gains andpresumably, the cattle would begin toreplace stalk intake with WCGF. Overthe past four years, research conductedat the University of Nebraska has used5.0 lb/head/day (DM basis) of WCGFto increase winter gains (2001 NebraskaBeef Cattle Report, pp. 29-34). Basedon the previous research, feeding WCGFin the winter will reduce slaughterbreakeven compared to feeding a pro-tein supplement similar to the control2.01.61.20.80.40.0Gain, lb/daySlope = 0.245Standard Error = 0.016Max. Gain = 1.88 lb/dayStandard Error = 0.101.25 2.75 4.25 5.75Level WCGFFigure 1. Daily gain of steers supplemented with wet corn gluten feed on cornstalks.Table 1. Supplement effects on cornstalk intake predicted by two methods.Supplement Intakea NRC Computer Modela Stalk Intake Equationab2.00 10.4 9.82.75 10.2 10.23.50 10.1 10.24.25 9.3 10.15.00 8.5 9.75.75 8.6 9.86.50 8.6 9.7aValues expressed as DM lb/head/day.bEquation: RI = (0.0365W0.75 - SD(SI))/1-RD, where RI = Residue Intake, SD = Supplement Digestibility,SI = Supplement Intake, and RD = Residue Digestibility.treatment in the present study. Thereduction in slaughter breakeven has beenattributed to increased winter weight gainwhich is maintained throughout summergrazing and finishing, resulting in moresale weight. Therefore, feeding 6.0 lbDM/head/day of WCGF might increasewinter weight gain and should furtherreduce slaughter breakevens comparedto feeding 5.0 lb DM/head/day.Feeding WCGF to calves grazing cornresidues should increase the carryingcapacity of the cornstalks. Estimates ofcornstalk intake were determined fromtwo sources: the 1996 Nutrient Require-ments of Beef Cattle computer modeland an equation developed specificallyto predict corn residue intake from resi-due digestibility and fecal output (1989Journal of Animal Science, pp. 581-589). Table 1 shows the intake predic-tions based on each model. In order topredict stalk intake from the 1996 NRCcomputer model, net energy adjustmentswere made based on another article con-tained within this report (2001 NebraskaBeef Cattle Report, pp. 116-119). Corn-stalk intake was first predicted based onthe stalk prediction equation for eachlevel of supplementation. Once a stalkintake was established, it was used todetermine the TDN concentration of thetotal diet and a net energy adjustmentwas calculated and applied to the 1996NRC computer model. The 1996 NRCcomputer model then was used to pre-dict stalk intake to determine how com-parable the values were between the twosources. Table 1 shows the stalk intakepredicted by the 1996 NRC computermodel. While the predicted intakes donot always agree, especially at highersupplement intakes, true values shouldfall within the range of the two intakepredictions at a given level of supple-mentation. Therefore, higher levels ofWCGF (5.0-6.5 lb/head/day DM)reduced cornstalk intake by 10%, fromabout 10.1 lb/head/day (DM basis) withlow level supplementation to 9.1 lb/head/day (DM basis). Economic analysis ofwinter supplementation of WCGF (2001Page 43 — 2001 Nebraska Beef ReportNebraska Beef Cattle Report, pp. 29-34)indicates that extending stalk grazing by10% would reduce wintering costs andincrease profit/head by $1.00. Withouttaking the calves completely through agrowing/finishing system, it is not pos-sible to determine the optimum level ofWCGF supplementation on corn resi-due. However, these data indicate whatgains might be expected with differentlevels of WCGF supplementation. About3.5 lb DM/day is needed to meet theprotein and phosphorus requirements ofthe calves. Therefore, it is logical to feedat least that amount. Based on the non-linear analysis, it seems that 6.0 lb DM/day is a logical upper limit. This range offeeding should result in gains rangingfrom 1.28-1.88 lb/day. Producers maythen select a level of WCGF based ondesired daily gain, stalk availability, cattleframe and weight (as it affects marketweight), and length of summer grazingseason.1D. J. Jordon, research technician; TerryKlopfenstein, professor; Todd Milton, assistantprofessor, Animal Science, Lincoln.Impact of Grazing Corn Stalks in the Springon Crop Yieldsfrom Febr. 25 until April 14 in 1998(48 days) and from March 1 until April26 in 1999 (56 days). Animals were fedsupplement daily at 1.5 lb per head perday. Calf stocking rate was approxi-mately .8 acres per calf for 60 days. Thestocking rate was based on averagestocking rates to optimize animal per-formance. Some producers may usespring grazing areas as holding orcalving pens where stocking rates aregreater than .8 acres per calf.Tillage treatments included ridge-tilling during the summer, no-tillage, falltillage with a chisel followed by conven-tional tillage (disk) in the spring, orspring conventional tillage alone. Alltillage treatments were conducted dur-ing the corn rotation with no tillage fol-lowing the soybean crop. Grazed andungrazed treatments were superimposedon tillage treatments. The no-till, ridge-till, and spring-till treatments each con-tained a grazed and ungrazed section.Treatments were applied to an eight-rowstrip and grazing treatments managedwith electric wires. Residue cover wasmeasured by determining residue atpoints in a transect across the eight-rowtreatment strip.At harvest, the middle six rows wereharvested out of the 8-row strip to main-tain one border row on each side andeliminate effects from grazing pressureand fences. Soybean harvest was con-ducted with a 3300 John Deere combinewith a 10-foot head. Each six-row strip(Continued on next page)Galen EricksonTerry KlopfensteinD.J. JordonWalker LuedtkeGary Lesoing1,2Grazing corn residue in the springhad no detrimental effect on sub-sequent soybean yields and mayslightly increase yields.SummaryA two-year experiment was designedto determine the impact of grazingcorn residue during the spring onsubsequent soybean yields in a corn-soybean rotation. Tillage treatmentsconsisting of ridge-till, fall-till, spring-till, and no-till were also evaluated todetermine if yields could be maintainedby alleviating compaction from grazingin the spring. Grazing treatments over-all, and specifically in the ridge-till andno-till systems, resulted in increasedyields. Residue cover was also moresensitive to changes in tillage ratherthan grazing; however, both treatmentsdecreased residue cover.IntroductionTraditional corn residue grazingoccurs from November to February.Based on numerous research trials at theUniversity of Nebraska AgriculturalResearch and Development Center,grazing corn residue during this perioddoes not impact subsequent crop yields,whether corn or soybeans (1997 Ne-braska Beef Report, pp. 34-37). Whilegrazing corn residues decreases residueand increases bulk density of soil, pre-sumably no impact is observed, becausecattle were only maintained in crop fieldswhile the ground was frozen (1997Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 34-37).However, producers require bothholding areas and feed sources for cattlefrom February until pastures are avail-able in late April. Fields generally arevery wet and not frozen from Februaryto April. Therefore, compaction fromcattle may cause detrimental yieldlosses in subsequent crops. The objec-tive of this study was to determine theimpact from grazing corn residue fromlate February until late April on sub-sequent soybean yields.ProcedureIn 1997, a 90-acre field was identi-fied. The field was split into quarterswith ungrazed check strips replicatedacross each quarter. Crop productionwas based on an annual corn-soybeanrotation with one-half of the field grownto each crop. The field was irrigated bya linear-move (2425 feet width) irriga-tion system (Valmont, Valley, Neb.) andthe grazing areas replicated within eachhalf grown to corn for grazing experi-ments. The grazing trials were conducted

Wet Corn Gluten Feed Supplementation of Calves Grazing Corn Residue

UNL | Libraries

University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports Animal Science Department 
January 2001 
Wet Corn Gluten Feed Supplementation of Calves Grazing Corn 
Residue 
D. J. Jordon 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
Terry J. Klopfenstein 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, tklopfenstein1@unl.edu 
Todd Milton 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr 
 Part of the Animal Sciences Commons 
Jordon, D. J.; Klopfenstein, Terry J.; and Milton, Todd, "Wet Corn Gluten Feed Supplementation of Calves 
Grazing Corn Residue" (2001). Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports. 301. 
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/animalscinbcr/301 
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Animal Science Department at 
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Nebraska Beef Cattle 
Reports by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 
Page 41 — 2001 Nebraska Beef Report
hybrids because of the potential reduc-
tion in residual corn, or more supple-
mental feed may be needed to maintain
daily gain compared with nonBt hybrids.
The interaction of hybrid genetics and
incorporation of the Bt trait observed
with corn silage growing diets is difficult
to explain, and may be related to slight
changes in the chemical composition of
the silages (Table 5). Most importantly,
hybrid genetics have a larger influence
on daily gain and feed efficiency of
growing steers fed corn silage-based
diets compared with changes associated
with incorporation the Bt trait in these
hybrids.
1Jeffrey Folmer, graduate student; Galen
Erickson, D.J. Jordan, research technicians; Todd
Milton, assistant professor; Terry Klopfenstein,
professor, Animal Science, Lincoln.
Table 5. Chemical analysis of silages used in Experiment 2.
Item (% of DM) N4242 Bt N4242 nonBt N7333 Bt N7333 nonBt SEM
DM % 40.2 39.0 37.6 37.8 —
Ash 4.1 4.5 6.1 4.7 .07
CP 7.0 7.2 6.1 6.3 .11
NDF 38.9 36.7 41.1 42.4 .60
ADF 24.7 22.1 26.4 23.8 .20
PLa 5.2 4.4 5.6 5.1 .15
ADLb 3.3 2.7 3.6 3.4 .04
Starch 37.6 38.6 37.3 37.1 .21
30-h NDF Dig.c 32.4 30.8 34.4 31.6 .07
IVDMDd 74.3 65.6 69.1 65.6 1.41
aPermanganate lignin measured according to Goering and Van Soest (1971).
bAcid detergent lignin measured according to Goering and Van Soest (1971).
c30-hour neutral detergent digestibility measured in vitro.
dIn vitro dry matter digestibility measured using modified procedures of Tilley and Terry (1963).
interaction was observed for daily gain
and efficiency, steers fed the N4242
gained 11% faster (P<.01) and were 7%
more efficient (P<.01) than those fed
corn silage produced from N7333.
The data from these experiments sug-
gest incorporation of the Bt trait has no
effect on corn residue value or prefer-
ence in grazing beef steers. Producers
can take advantage of increased yields
and reduced pesticide use with Bt corn
hybrids without adverse effects on corn
residue grazing performance. Stocking
rates may need to be adjusted for Bt
Wet Corn Gluten Feed Supplementation of Calves
Grazing Corn Residue
(Continued on next page)
D. J. Jordon
Terry Klopfenstein
Todd Milton1
Feeding wet corn gluten feed to
calves grazing cornstalks increases
weight gain above non-fed controls.
The optimum feeding level is 6.0 lb
DM/head/day which can result in
1.8-1.9 lb/day gain.
Summary
Incremental levels of wet corn glu-
ten feed were fed to calves grazing corn
residues. Based on statistical and eco-
nomical analysis of the data collected,
feeding wet corn gluten feed (5.0-6.5 lb/
head/day; DM basis) will increase stock-
ing rate on corn residue and reduce
winter costs by 11%. Given that 3.5 lb
DM/day wet corn gluten feed will meet
the protein and phosphorus needs of
calves, and feeding above 6.0 lb/d
will not increase gains, wet corn gluten
feed should be fed at 3.5-6.0 lb
DM/day, producing gains from 1.28-
1.88 lb/day.
Introduction
Wet corn gluten feed has roughly
the same energy value as corn (NEg =
0.64-0.68 Mcal/lb), is moderate in
protein (23% CP) and phosphorus
(0.95%), is palatable, and is safe to feed
in terms of little or no risk of acidosis or
founder. With the high concentration of
nutrients discussed, WCGF supplies sev-
eral expensive nutrients in one package.
Feeding five lb of WCGF (DM/head/
day) is sufficient to meet the metaboliz-
able protein requirement of calves graz-
ing corn residues. However, no animal
performance trials have been conducted
to specifically determine the optimum
feeding level of WCGF to calves grazing
corn residues.
The objective of our study was to
evaluate calf growth response to incre-
mental levels of wet corn gluten feed
supplemented on corn residues in the
late fall and early winter.
Procedure
A steer growth trial was conducted
from Oct. 27, 1999 through Jan. 13,
2000 using thirty-seven crossbred steer
calves (552 lb) which were individually
fed a supplement while grazing corn
residues. Steers were assigned randomly
to one of seven levels of supplement
(2.0, 2.75, 3.5, 4.25, 5.0, 5.75, and 6.5 lb
of DM/head/day). The control treatment
(7 head) consisted of a sunflower meal-
2001 Nebraska Beef Report — Page 42
based supplement fed at 2 lb/head/day
(DM basis) that was formulated to meet
the degradable intake protein (DIP)
requirement of the steers. The second
treatment (5 head) was a combination
of WCGF (68%) and sunflower meal
(32%) fed at 2.75 lb DM/head/day.
Sunflower meal was required in the
second treatment to meet DIP require-
ment of the steers. The remaining 5 treat-
ments (5 head/treatment) consisted
entirely of WCGF (3.5, 4.25, 5.0, 5.75,
and 6.5 lb/head/day; DM basis). All steers
were individually fed the appropriate
amount of supplement once daily using
Calan electronic gates. Each morning at
approximately 6:30, steers were gath-
ered for feeding. Steers were allowed a
maximum of one hour to consume the
respective supplement offered. Follow-
ing feeding, steers were returned to the
cornstalk field. Four 7.4 acre fields were
allocated for grazing. Steers were
allowed access to a new paddock when
visual appraisal indicated that leaf
and husk material was limiting.
Initial and final weights were the
average of three consecutive-day
weights following three days of limit
feeding a common diet containing 50%
wet corn gluten feed and 50% alfalfa
hay fed at 2% of body weight (DM
basis).
Results
Steers on the control treatment
gained 0.91 lb/day. Average daily gain
increased up to 1.86 lb/day as WCGF
was included at the 6.5 lb DM/head/day
level. When a non-linear statistical
analysis was applied to the data, it
predicted that gains leveled off at
6.0 lb DM (Figure 1). The analysis
suggests feeding WCGF above 6.0 lb
DM/day would not increase gains and
presumably, the cattle would begin to
replace stalk intake with WCGF. Over
the past four years, research conducted
at the University of Nebraska has used
5.0 lb/head/day (DM basis) of WCGF
to increase winter gains (2001 Nebraska
Beef Cattle Report, pp. 29-34). Based
on the previous research, feeding WCGF
in the winter will reduce slaughter
breakeven compared to feeding a pro-
tein supplement similar to the control
2.0
1.6
1.2
0.8
0.4
0.0
G
ai
n,
 lb
/d
ay
Slope = 0.245
Standard Error = 0.016
Max. Gain = 1.88 lb/day
Standard Error = 0.10
1.25 2.75 4.25 5.75
Level WCGF
Figure 1. Daily gain of steers supplemented with wet corn gluten feed on cornstalks.
Table 1. Supplement effects on cornstalk intake predicted by two methods.
Supplement Intakea NRC Computer Modela Stalk Intake Equationab
2.00 10.4 9.8
2.75 10.2 10.2
3.50 10.1 10.2
4.25 9.3 10.1
5.00 8.5 9.7
5.75 8.6 9.8
6.50 8.6 9.7
aValues expressed as DM lb/head/day.
bEquation: RI = (0.0365W0.75 - SD(SI))/1-RD, where RI = Residue Intake, SD = Supplement Digestibility,
SI = Supplement Intake, and RD = Residue Digestibility.
treatment in the present study. The
reduction in slaughter breakeven has been
attributed to increased winter weight gain
which is maintained throughout summer
grazing and finishing, resulting in more
sale weight. Therefore, feeding 6.0 lb
DM/head/day of WCGF might increase
winter weight gain and should further
reduce slaughter breakevens compared
to feeding 5.0 lb DM/head/day.
Feeding WCGF to calves grazing corn
residues should increase the carrying
capacity of the cornstalks. Estimates of
cornstalk intake were determined from
two sources: the 1996 Nutrient Require-
ments of Beef Cattle computer model
and an equation developed specifically
to predict corn residue intake from resi-
due digestibility and fecal output (1989
Journal of Animal Science, pp. 581-
589). Table 1 shows the intake predic-
tions based on each model. In order to
predict stalk intake from the 1996 NRC
computer model, net energy adjustments
were made based on another article con-
tained within this report (2001 Nebraska
Beef Cattle Report, pp. 116-119). Corn-
stalk intake was first predicted based on
the stalk prediction equation for each
level of supplementation. Once a stalk
intake was established, it was used to
determine the TDN concentration of the
total diet and a net energy adjustment
was calculated and applied to the 1996
NRC computer model. The 1996 NRC
computer model then was used to pre-
dict stalk intake to determine how com-
parable the values were between the two
sources. Table 1 shows the stalk intake
predicted by the 1996 NRC computer
model. While the predicted intakes do
not always agree, especially at higher
supplement intakes, true values should
fall within the range of the two intake
predictions at a given level of supple-
mentation. Therefore, higher levels of
WCGF (5.0-6.5 lb/head/day DM)
reduced cornstalk intake by 10%, from
about 10.1 lb/head/day (DM basis) with
low level supplementation to 9.1 lb/head/
day (DM basis). Economic analysis of
winter supplementation of WCGF (2001
Page 43 — 2001 Nebraska Beef Report
Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, pp. 29-34)
indicates that extending stalk grazing by
10% would reduce wintering costs and
increase profit/head by $1.00. Without
taking the calves completely through a
growing/finishing system, it is not pos-
sible to determine the optimum level of
WCGF supplementation on corn resi-
due. However, these data indicate what
gains might be expected with different
levels of WCGF supplementation. About
3.5 lb DM/day is needed to meet the
protein and phosphorus requirements of
the calves. Therefore, it is logical to feed
at least that amount. Based on the non-
linear analysis, it seems that 6.0 lb DM/
day is a logical upper limit. This range of
feeding should result in gains ranging
from 1.28-1.88 lb/day. Producers may
then select a level of WCGF based on
desired daily gain, stalk availability, cattle
frame and weight (as it affects market
weight), and length of summer grazing
season.
1D. J. Jordon, research technician; Terry
Klopfenstein, professor; Todd Milton, assistant
professor, Animal Science, Lincoln.
Impact of Grazing Corn Stalks in the Spring
on Crop Yields
from Febr. 25 until April 14 in 1998
(48 days) and from March 1 until April
26 in 1999 (56 days). Animals were fed
supplement daily at 1.5 lb per head per
day. Calf stocking rate was approxi-
mately .8 acres per calf for 60 days. The
stocking rate was based on average
stocking rates to optimize animal per-
formance. Some producers may use
spring grazing areas as holding or
calving pens where stocking rates are
greater than .8 acres per calf.
Tillage treatments included ridge-
tilling during the summer, no-tillage, fall
tillage with a chisel followed by conven-
tional tillage (disk) in the spring, or
spring conventional tillage alone. All
tillage treatments were conducted dur-
ing the corn rotation with no tillage fol-
lowing the soybean crop. Grazed and
ungrazed treatments were superimposed
on tillage treatments. The no-till, ridge-
till, and spring-till treatments each con-
tained a grazed and ungrazed section.
Treatments were applied to an eight-row
strip and grazing treatments managed
with electric wires. Residue cover was
measured by determining residue at
points in a transect across the eight-row
treatment strip.
At harvest, the middle six rows were
harvested out of the 8-row strip to main-
tain one border row on each side and
eliminate effects from grazing pressure
and fences. Soybean harvest was con-
ducted with a 3300 John Deere combine
with a 10-foot head. Each six-row strip
(Continued on next page)
Galen Erickson
Terry Klopfenstein
D.J. Jordon
Walker Luedtke
Gary Lesoing1,2
Grazing corn residue in the spring
had no detrimental effect on sub-
sequent soybean yields and may
slightly increase yields.
Summary
A two-year experiment was designed
to determine the impact of grazing
corn residue during the spring on
subsequent soybean yields in a corn-
soybean rotation. Tillage treatments
consisting of ridge-till, fall-till, spring-
till, and no-till were also evaluated to
determine if yields could be maintained
by alleviating compaction from grazing
in the spring. Grazing treatments over-
all, and specifically in the ridge-till and
no-till systems, resulted in increased
yields. Residue cover was also more
sensitive to changes in tillage rather
than grazing; however, both treatments
decreased residue cover.
Introduction
Traditional corn residue grazing
occurs from November to February.
Based on numerous research trials at the
University of Nebraska Agricultural
Research and Development Center,
grazing corn residue during this period
does not impact subsequent crop yields,
whether corn or soybeans (1997 Ne-
braska Beef Report, pp. 34-37). While
grazing corn residues decreases residue
and increases bulk density of soil, pre-
sumably no impact is observed, because
cattle were only maintained in crop fields
while the ground was frozen (1997
Nebraska Beef Report, pp. 34-37).
However, producers require both
holding areas and feed sources for cattle
from February until pastures are avail-
able in late April. Fields generally are
very wet and not frozen from February
to April. Therefore, compaction from
cattle may cause detrimental yield
losses in subsequent crops. The objec-
tive of this study was to determine the
impact from grazing corn residue from
late February until late April on sub-
sequent soybean yields.
Procedure
In 1997, a 90-acre field was identi-
fied. The field was split into quarters
with ungrazed check strips replicated
across each quarter. Crop production
was based on an annual corn-soybean
rotation with one-half of the field grown
to each crop. The field was irrigated by
a linear-move (2425 feet width) irriga-
tion system (Valmont, Valley, Neb.) and
the grazing areas replicated within each
half grown to corn for grazing experi-
ments. The grazing trials were conducted


https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1300&amp;context=animalscinbcr

Wet Corn Gluten Feed Supplementation of Calves Grazing Corn Residue

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