Corn stoverCorn stover ProblemsProblems ConsumptionConsumption

– GrazingGrazing– Processing will increase consumption by Processing will increase consumption by

about 10% (e.g. tub grinding)about 10% (e.g. tub grinding)– Moisture levelMoisture level

Dry stover (e.g. stacks + bales) ~ 75-80%Dry stover (e.g. stacks + bales) ~ 75-80% Corn stover silage – must be about 50% Corn stover silage – must be about 50%

moisture to fermentmoisture to ferment

*Shortages of protein*not as palatable

1 acre of corn stover = 3 tons (6000 lbs) of stover1 round bale of corn stover = 1500 lbs4 bales /acre on average

You can maintain one cow per acre for 60 days

Stalk is going to be 2x moisture than the grains

Composition of the Corn PlantComposition of the Corn Plant

Leaf Leaf Stalk Stalk Husk Cob Husk Cob Grain Grain % Dry matter % Dry matter 72.5 72.5 32.7 32.7 65.4 65.4 55.7 55.7 75.7 75.7% of Total Plant % of Total Plant 12.312.3 16.7 16.7 6.8 6.8 9.7 9.7 54.4 54.4% Crude Protein % Crude Protein 6.1 6.1 2.9 2.9 3.3 3.3 3.6 3.6 9.6 9.6

Digestibility %Digestibility % 54.154.1 51.7 51.7 63.2 63.2 45.2 45.2 90.0 90.0

Corn stoverCorn stover Influence of harvesting data and grain Influence of harvesting data and grain

yield on stover qualityyield on stover quality Harvest DateHarvest Date

145 bu. corn145 bu. corn 9-79-7 9-219-21 10-510-5Nonstructural CHO (% of DM)Nonstructural CHO (% of DM) 20.020.0 16.716.7 15.815.8In vitro digestibility (% of DM)In vitro digestibility (% of DM) 58.158.1 53.753.7 52.152.1

100 bu. corn100 bu. cornNonstructural CHO (% of DM)Nonstructural CHO (% of DM) 20.020.0 20.520.5 19.519.5In vitro digestibility (% of DM)In vitro digestibility (% of DM) 58.058.0 56.656.6 57.057.0

Corn stoverCorn stover WastageWastage ConservationConservation Protein supplementationProtein supplementation

– Natural sourcesNatural sources– NPN sourcesNPN sources

UreaUrea BiuretBiuret

– StareaStarea

Corn stoverCorn stover Protein supplements:Protein supplements:

– 30% liquid30% liquid– 40% protein blocks40% protein blocks– 30% sweet range cubes30% sweet range cubes– 20% range cubes20% range cubes– 50% dry50% dry

Free Choice – Mineral MixesFree Choice – Mineral Mixes

Lb. Lb. Lb. Lb. Dicalcium phosphate Dicalcium phosphate 100100 4040Trace mineral salt Trace mineral salt 100100 4040Vitamin A (2 mil I.U./lb)Vitamin A (2 mil I.U./lb) ------ 4040Iodized salt Iodized salt ------ 8080Total lbs. Total lbs. 200200 200200

% Phosphorus% Phosphorus 8.68.6 2.62.6% Calcium % Calcium 13.413.4 5.5 5.5

Consumption 0.1 lb/hd/day provides:Consumption 0.1 lb/hd/day provides: Grams Grams PhosphorusPhosphorus 44 11Calcium Calcium 66 2.5 2.5