Feeding Light Test Weight Corn in Growing and Finishing Diets

Erin Laborie, Nebraska Extension Educator Cattle feeders that grow their own corn have the opportunity to market light test weight corn through their cattle without sacrificing cattle performance. Photo credit Troy Walz. The number of growing degree days remaining for the season will influence the amount of light test weight corn harvested this fall. The current standard test weight for corn is 56 pounds per bushel. When corn test weight is below the…

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Feeding Elevated Levels of Corn Silage in Finishing Diets

Erin Laborie, Nebraska Extension Educator Feeding corn silage gives cattle feeders the opportunity to capitalize on maximum quality and tonnage of the whole corn plant, while stockpiling large quantities of feed. Photo credit Troy Walz. Corn silage can be an economical feedstuff in finishing diets, especially when corn prices are high. Feeding corn silage gives cattle feeders the opportunity to capitalize on maximum quality and tonnage of the whole corn plant, while stockpiling…

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Using Weaning Date as a Supplement Strategy

TL Meyer, Nebraska Extension Beef EducatorTravis Mulliniks, UNL Beef Cattle Nutritionist, Range Production Systems After weaning and prior to winter can be one of the most economical times to improve the body condition score (BCS) of a spring-calving cow. Photo credit Troy Walz. Many beef producers are preparing to wean, or at least thinking about it. After weaning and prior to winter can be one of the most economical times to improve the…

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Silage Pad Construction

Rick Stowell, Extension Specialist, UNL Biological Systems Engineering Many producers prefer a concrete pad for its durability and will look to surface coatings to provide protection from silage acids. Photo credit Troy Walz. “What material should I use for my new silage pad?” is probably a question most producers ask once a decade at most, but it is an important decision for maintaining an efficient feeding program.  Asphalt (e.g. ‘blacktop’) generally can be…

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Is Silage an Option for Corn Impacted by the Canal Breach?

Karla H. Wilke, UNL Cow/Calf Systems and Stocker Management Producers with a corn crop impacted by the canal breach may want to consider making corn silage out of this year’s crop. Photo credit Troy Walz. Listen to a discussion of the content in this article on this episode of the BeefWatch podcast. You can subscribe to new episodes in iTunes or paste http://feeds.feedburner.com/unlbeefwatch into your podcast app. On July 17 when the Gering-Ft.…

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