Feeding ear corn to cows can be a good way to provide them with additional energy and nutrition. However, how much you should feed a cow will depend on several factors, including the cow’s weight, age, and milking potential. The quality of the grass and hay the cow eats also plays a role in determining how much ear corn she needs. Though ear corn is a great energy source, it’s important to have a balance of protein and energy to ensure a healthy animal. For example, cows that graze on dormant pastures won’t need as much energy as those that are grazing on lush grasslands. Conversely, cows that are pregnant may require both energy and protein to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Cost of feedstuffs
Feeding ear corn to cows is an economical method for supplementing a cow’s diet. It contains high energy, and a moderate amount of protein. Its cost is about half of the cost of feeding hay. The same amount of ear corn can feed one cow for about a week.
Corn is widely used in beef cattle diets in most regions of the U.S., though it was less common in the northern tier until recent years. However, thanks to the availability of shorter-season corn varieties, plantings in North Dakota increased by 40% from 2008 to 2017. In 2017, there were 427 million bushels of corn produced in the state. Though corn is lower in protein than other feed grains, it is high in energy and fiber. It also contains minerals.
Corn prices have soared in recent years, and prices for shelled corn are several dollars higher per bushel than in prior years. However, on an as-fed basis, corn prices are expected to average about 56 pounds per cwt. Feeding costs are anticipated to remain high until at least the third quarter of 2021.
Nutritional value of ear corn
Ear corn is a good source of energy. In a beef cow diet, however, you must balance its nutritional value with other sources of protein. You can supplement ear corn with soybean meal, cottonseed meal, or wheat mids. You can also supplement with distillers grains.
Ear corn is a staple in tacos and burritos. It is also used to make flour and polenta. It is a great source of choline, magnesium, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids. It is also an excellent source of vitamin E.
Ear corn contains over three grams of protein per ear. It is also a good source of fiber. Its low calorie content makes it an excellent source of energy. A single corn on the cob contains 88 calories without toppings. Adding butter or other toppings increases the calorie content. Similarly, one cup of boiled corn contains 125 calories. Boiled corn also contains less calories than grilled corn, although some vitamins and minerals are lost in the boiling water.
Storage of ear corn as a high moisture feed
Storage of ear corn as a high-moisture feed for cows requires proper moisture control. It should be packed tightly to avoid air pockets that can spoil or cause shrinkage. Ground earlage has similar feeding value to normal high-moisture corn, although excessive amounts can cause problems in the rumen.
High-moisture corn can be stored in bunker silos or upright silos. Storage of high-moisture corn in bunker silos is a bit more difficult than for whole corn. The first step is harvesting at the proper moisture content. The optimal moisture level is between 28 and 34 percent. If it is below this range, the starch content will be lower and the feed will spoil quickly. It is also important to understand that crop conditions can change quickly. Therefore, growers must prepare to fill storage facilities quickly, and change fields as the crop conditions change.
After harvesting, corn ears should be thoroughly cooled and cleaned. If the corn is harvested at the right moisture level, it can be stored at about 25 percent moisture. When stored properly, shelled corn can be an excellent animal feed. High-moisture corn can also be stored in airtight silos and trench silos. To preserve the corn from mold, you can treat it with sodium metabisulfite or propionic acid.
