Pasture and Forage Minute: Corn Residue Grazing Impacts, Controlling Eastern Red Cedar

By Ben Beckman and Jerry Volesky

As winter approaches, corn residue offers a practical, low-cost grazing option for livestock. However, many landowners worry that it might hurt crop yield or soil health. Is that true?

Research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln shows that with proper stocking rates, grazing corn residue has minimal downsides and provides real benefits. Studies reveal that grazing doesn’t significantly impact soil properties when done responsibly and can even improve microbial activity, which enhances nutrient cycling for the following crop.

UNL researchers tested both fall and spring grazing, finding that soil compaction stayed within safe limits, even at higher stocking densities. Grazing cattle helped return nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to the soil, enriching it for future crops. In some cases, soybean yields following the corn crop were even higher after residue grazing compared to ungrazed fields.

Proper timing and stocking rates when grazing are key to getting the best from both your fields and cattle. Winter grazing, when the ground is often frozen, lowers the risk of compaction. If you graze late into the season, lower stocking densities as fields thaw out and carefully time grazing around precipitation events.