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Tag: crop residue

Grazing Crop Residues with Excess Downed Grain

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Jason Warner, cow-calf specialist

Each year, utilization of corn or grain sorghum residues following harvest by beef cattle represents an excellent opportunity to extend the grazing season into the winter thereby reducing the need to feed harvested forages.  This year, for various reasons, there have been reports across the state of downed grain in residue fields at levels greater than typically seen.  While it does require us to change our management approach, residue fields with high levels of grain on the surface of the field can still be grazed safely and economically. Continue reading “Grazing Crop Residues with Excess Downed Grain” →

Making the Most of Grazing Grain Sorghum Residue

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

Jason Warner, extension cow-calf specialist

Fall is a wonderful season for agriculture and a time to, hopefully, reap the bounty of the year’s production.  With grain harvest, weaning calves, and pregnancy checking all in full swing, combine that with a little Wildcat football and volleyball and there’s no shortage of things to do.  If producers have access to crop residue fields following grain harvest, then preparing to turn cattle out to graze such acres is one task that deserves to be near the top of the priority list.  Grain sorghum or milo residue represents an excellent opportunity to extend the grazing season into the winter thereby reducing the need to feed harvested forages.  However, there are several important management considerations that need to be kept in mind with grazing sorghum residue. Continue reading “Making the Most of Grazing Grain Sorghum Residue” →

KSRE Winter 2017-2018 Crop Residue Survey

Posted on by Sandy Johnson

by Sandy Johnson, extension beef specialist, Colby, KS; and Dale Blasi, stocker, forages nutrition & management specialist

Kansas agriculture agents surveyed 180 producers from November 2017 through March of 2018 on their use of crop residue for grazing livestock.   Responses came from producers that raise crops and graze their own crop residue (51%), do not have crop ground but rent or lease crop residue to graze (22%), grow crops and do not let livestock graze residue (17%) and raise crops and sometimes rent crop residue for grazing (9%).  Crops raised included 56% corn, 60% soybeans, 35% milo and 34% alfalfa.  Corn was the most common crop available for grazing (55%) followed by hay regrowth (47%), milo (35%), alfalfa (30%) and soybeans (30%).  A majority of responses were from east central Kansas as shown in Figure 1.  Location of grazing was provide in 145 responses, 27 respondents reported grazing crop residue in 2 or more counties. Continue reading “KSRE Winter 2017-2018 Crop Residue Survey” →