Plan Now for Winter Feed Needs

Iowa Beef Center director column: August 2014

Last year at this time livestock producers were stretching the last of the drought reduced 2012 crop and looking under every rock for alternative feeds. In January distillers grains were priced at 140% of corn. Today in Iowa, depending on the moisture class corn coproducts are 80-90% the price of corn or less, and current projections are that farmers in the U.S. will produce nearly 14 billion bushels of corn this year.

This contrast is an example of the volatile times we are in today. Export politics and demand, ethanol prices, and protein (soybean) value factor in to feed prices as much as supply and demand for livestock feed. Regardless of the reasons, it appears that feed prices, and specifically corn are at cyclical lows. So how do cattle producers take advantage of this opportunity?

With the abundance of corn some may be looking at ways to get more value out of the corn plant. Corn silage is a tried and true way to get more value per acre. Silage also allows the producer to get early access to the corn crop, spread out harvest and produce a high quality source of forage. For many, this year’s harvesting conditions may have limited the supply of quality hay and silage could be an option to make up for this. However, if harvested and stored improperly, corn silage is among the feeds that have the largest potential for waste and storage losses.

Here are a few basics for quality corn silage. Perhaps the most important consideration for quality corn silage is to harvest at the right moisture -- about 35% moisture is optimum. Also, chop the silage as finely as possible and pack well. As a rule, the packing tractor should run about the same amount of time as the chopper. Bagging is an option if permanent storage is not available, but remember that harvesting silage at the proper moisture is critical here as well.

For more information on making quality silage this publication is a good reference:http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/information/QualityCornSilage.pdf Also this time of year, distillers grains often are seasonally priced low relative to corn. For feedyards, opportunities to contract future supplies of distillers can be an option. Or, evaluate putting wet or modified distillers grains into longer term storage.

For wet distillers grains, ground forage mixtures of 15-20% produce a final product that is about 60% moisture and will pack or bag similar to corn silage. Modified distillers grains may be bagged directly or covered in plastic and sealed. As with proper silage harvest, the objective is to exclude oxygen to the extent possible. Spoilage organisms thrive in aerobic conditions. You can find more about long-term storage of distillers grains on the IBC website. http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/co-product.html

During the next few weeks, producers will be making final plans on feed resources for the coming fall and winter. The good news is that many options are available to capitalize on the crops, feed storage facilities, and locally available byproduct and corn coproduct opportunities. For some the feed opportunities this year may include extending the grazing system through stockpiled grazing.

On August 18-22, grazing consultant Dr. Jim Gerrish will lead a series of five workshops across Iowa. The topics will include improving grazing productivity while maintaining plant diversity as well as extending the grazing season. See a link to more information and individual workshop flyers in this news release on the IBC website. Also, mark your calendar for a Cattle Feeding Seminar in eastern Iowa on August 11. These are just a few upcoming programs planned by IBC. Be sure to check the website for additional information.

IBC at Iowa State University serves as the university’s extension program to cattle producers. Our center comprises a team of faculty and staff from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Iowa State University Extension. We work together to develop and deliver the latest in research-based information to improve the profitability and vitality of Iowa’s beef industry. You can call us at 515-294-BEEF, or e-mail us at beefcenter@iastate.edu. Are you on Facebook? Look for Iowa Beef Center on Facebook and “like” us. We’ll keep you updated on IBC programs.