Be Careful Before Releasing Cattle into Damaged Cornfields
Wallace’s Farmer
Due to heavy rainfall and strong winds in August, 10% to 15% of Iowa’s corn crop has suffered moderate to heavy lodging, according to an Iowa State University Extension specialist. For cattle producers, this means more corn left in the field for feed.
Cornfields in northern and southwest Iowa were hit especially hard by weather, says Roger Elmore, ISU Extension corn specialist. So, it’s wise to think about turning beef cows out into those fields to use the downed corn. “This is a good year to glean some of that for livestock,” says Elmore.
However, farmers should take some precautionary management steps in order to help prevent cattle from overloading on corn, which can result in health problems, says Russ Euken, an ISU Extension beef field specialist who works with the Iowa Beef Center at Ames.
