Publication Date
1997
Description
Nebraska producers have used silage maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids as a grazed forage in dairy and beef production systems. In an onfarm case study, farmers and researchers collaborated to gather information on production practices, grazing management, and plant characteristics of grazing maize within three forage-based dairy and beef systems. Production practices were generally similar to conventional grain corn production, except that in one system maize was seeded directly into a suppressed grass sod. Milk production from grazing maize was 23 kg/day/animal, compared to 24 kg/day/ animal before using maize and 22 kg/day/animal after using maize. Average gain of stockers on maize was 1.0 kg/day over a 90 to 125 day period. Cows grazing maize interseeded into a mixed grasslegume sod gained 0.3 points condition score. Grazing maize complemented other forages within these grazing systems.
Citation
Mundy, V; Anderson, B E.; Gompert, T L.; Mader, T L.; and Shapiro, C A., "Zea Mays Grazing in Cattle Production Systems" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 1.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session29/1
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Zea Mays Grazing in Cattle Production Systems
Nebraska producers have used silage maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids as a grazed forage in dairy and beef production systems. In an onfarm case study, farmers and researchers collaborated to gather information on production practices, grazing management, and plant characteristics of grazing maize within three forage-based dairy and beef systems. Production practices were generally similar to conventional grain corn production, except that in one system maize was seeded directly into a suppressed grass sod. Milk production from grazing maize was 23 kg/day/animal, compared to 24 kg/day/ animal before using maize and 22 kg/day/animal after using maize. Average gain of stockers on maize was 1.0 kg/day over a 90 to 125 day period. Cows grazing maize interseeded into a mixed grasslegume sod gained 0.3 points condition score. Grazing maize complemented other forages within these grazing systems.
